Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto, stated that the federal government has always treated Sindh unfairly, likening it to a stepchild. He emphasized that the distribution of resources is unjust, making it difficult to provide facilities if rights are not properly granted. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Phase One of the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway in Karachi, he highlighted the numerous development projects initiated during Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s era for the city’s growth. He mentioned that the project “Shahrah Bhutto” is being constructed under a public-private partnership.
The Sindh government has set a toll tax of 100 rupees, which is expected to remain the same. Bilawal Bhutto requested Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to satisfy Karachi’s business community, as the business sector will not work based on friendships alone. He also addressed the long-standing water issue in the city, urging his government to prioritize this matter. He stressed that Karachi’s development is crucial for Pakistan’s progress and that the principle of public-private partnership is being adopted out of necessity due to the federal government’s reluctance to provide resources to Sindh. The PPP does not want to engage in extremist politics.
Bilawal Bhutto personally drove his car on the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway and paid the 100 rupees toll tax. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, speaking at the ceremony, acknowledged the delay in constructing Shahrah Bhutto and highlighted the need for mega projects to address the unplanned development issues caused by Musharraf’s local government order. He announced the inauguration of the 9.1-kilometer section of Shahrah Bhutto from Qayyumabad to Shah Faisal Interchange as a significant step for the city. The PPP continues to provide basic infrastructure projects, and Murad Ali Shah invited prominent local investors to participate in key projects under the public-private partnership model. He promised to bring an additional 400 MGD of water to Karachi to meet the city’s growing needs and better serve its residents. Former Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro, Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant for Investment Syed Qasim Naveed, and others were also present at the event.