PM turning towards Sindh

Prime Minister Imran Khan seems to be changing his guns towards Sindh with a scathing attack on the provincial government, who are only not faltering but rather have completely failed. It seems there is a renewed bid to dislodge the PPP government in Sindh.

The PTI government’s coalition partners and party legislators in Sindh flew to the federal capital over the weekend for a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the future political strategy for the province and the federal government-funded projects in the city. 

PTI leaders led by Sindh Governor Imran Khan and allies from the MQM-P and GDA wanted to know if there is any chance of a deal with PPP in the offing. These rumours have been rife ever since PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif left for London on the pretext of seeking medical treatment. There are concerns that former president Asif Zardari may receive a similar reprieve.

The details of the meeting are sketchy, but PM Imran Khan assured the party’s allies that there will be no compromise with the PPP. He expressed immense disappointment at the governance in Sindh, saying that there has been record high corruption in the last ten years. The prime minister stated that he is waging jihad against corruption and there is no room for such people in the country.

Imran Khan is adamant for the process of indiscriminate accountability to continue such that no one is spared from the law. The meeting also discussed the ongoing welfare projects and the difficulties faced in the implementation of the development road-map. GDA leader Ayaz Latif Palijo even presented a list of nineteen demands regarding problems in Sindh.

PM Imran Khan said the progress and prosperity of Sindh was among the top priorities of the government. The indication that the center will have an increased role in Sindh’s governance matters will not go down well with the PPP. There was an intense backlash when Law Minister Farogh Naseem hinted at invoking Article 149(4) in Karachi to issue directives to the provincial government and now there will be fresh attacks at the political rivals.

There is no indication suggesting that the Sindh government could be sent packing. Any change must be democratic. The PTI government is concerned over bad governance in Sindh, while PPP wants the immediate release of Zardari and his sister from corruption references. There shall be compromise or a deal, but both sides should refrain from undemocratic steps and focus on the welfare of the people.