KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that despite stoppage of Sindh’s financial share from Islamabad, his party’s government in the province has made remarkable achievement in improving infrastructure and social sector in record time.

“A selected prime minister has ruined the country’s economy, yet, with all limited resources available to the Sindh government, it is busy in providing better infrastructure and improved health and education sectors in the province,” said the PPP chief after inaugurating seven development projects concerning enhanced road infrastructure in Karachi on Saturday.

He said the Sindh government managed to complete those projects despite restricted resources and within a limited time.

According to him, the construction of Shaheed-i-Millat flyover was completed in nine months, Raana Liaquat flyover in seven months, intersections on Tipu Sultan Road and a flyover at Sunset Boulevard in five months, Submarine Roundabout Underpass in 18 months and Sibghatullah Rashdi Road in 15 months.

“I congratulate the Sindh government for achieving such a great achievement in record time,” said the chairman of the ruling PPP.

He said the projects which included drainage systems would contribute towards resolving the archaic traffic issues that had been key cause of disruption for residents of Karachi over many decades.

He said investing in infrastructure would help overcoming the economic crisis in the country as it would help in providing efficient transportation and creating job opportunities.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari said PPP’s governments in the past had always worked for the betterment of the country and its majority poor masses.

“We have always served the people of Pakistan and still it is only the PPP that can better serve our people.”

Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in the Centre, the PPP leader said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s promises proved to be the mirage for his supporters who had incorrectly believed that the PTI would offer them 10 million jobs.

“But the selected government had snatched livelihoods of people instead of offering them jobs. This government has almost irreparably ruined our economy.”

He praised Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for getting the seven projects completed before the stipulated time.

“Our chief minister is an engineering professional who understands the minutest details of the projects being completed under his leadership,” said the PPP chief.

He added that the federal government’s present policies were hopeless and the country’s economy could not recover from the abyss it was in.

He said it was about time to wrap up the tax amnesty scheme which had been launched only to benefit the billionaires.

“This scheme benefits the billionaires only and it is time to do away with it.”

However, he said traders and businesspersons should be given facilities since they play an important part in improving economy.

He said Sindh could offer miracles if its government and people were given their due share and rights by the federal government.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari claimed the development portfolio of Sindh, despite the province was experiencing financial hardships, was much better than Punjab and other parts of the country where the PTI had its sway.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2019