Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of misusing the provincial government’s hospitality and deliberately ignoring security protocols during the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister”s recent visit, asserting that PTI’s actions risked a repeat of the May 9 incidents.
Addressing a press conference, Memon detailed that the Sindh government had received a threat alert prior to the visit and immediately contacted the KP Chief Minister to assure him of full security and facilities. He stated that while the visiting Chief Minister declined the offer of a bulletproof vehicle, he accepted police security, which was duly provided.
Memon explained that senior Sindh ministers, including Nasir Hussain Shah and Syed Ghani, coordinated with PTI”s provincial leadership to facilitate the visit. The delegation was formally welcomed at the airport with traditional ajrak and Sindhi caps, an act Memon described as sincere hospitality rather than a move for media attention.
However, the minister claimed the goodwill was not reciprocated. He said the delegation was specifically advised to avoid visiting certain sensitive areas in District South due to security concerns, but these instructions were not followed. Memon stressed that adherence to a security plan is essential for any VIP movement, particularly when a threat alert exists, and unplanned route changes increase risks.
He firmly rejected allegations that the Sindh government deliberately caused traffic delays for the delegation”s return journey from Hyderabad. He clarified that the bridge in question falls under the National Highway Authority and is one of the country”s busiest highways, where traffic congestion is a common occurrence, especially with unplanned processions.
Memon accused PTI workers of pelting stones at police and assaulting journalists, particularly women, during their programme. He stated that despite video evidence, the Sindh government exercised restraint and did not register any cases, framing PTI”s actions as a “dangerous attempt to repeat incidents like those of May 9.”
He clarified that welcoming the KP Chief Minister did not indicate any possibility of a future alliance between the PPP and PTI, contrasting his party’s peaceful, democratic politics with what he termed PTI”s confrontational approach.
During the press conference, Memon also announced several key decisions taken during a recent Sindh Cabinet meeting. He revealed the approval of an ADP scheme worth Rs190 million for the construction of a new floor for the girls’ hostel at NED University.
For the preservation of cultural heritage, the cabinet approved Rs109 million for the restoration of St. Saviour Church in Sukkur and St. Thomas Cathedral Church in Hyderabad. Additionally, a project to digitise rare historical archives to modernise the Sindh Archives was greenlit.
On the security front, Rs1.24 billion was sanctioned for the establishment of a Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre. The cabinet also approved various development projects for the districts of Sujawal and Shikarpur.
Policy matters discussed included the federal government’s plan to fully deregulate the sugar sector by 2026, for which a ministerial committee was formed to present recommendations. The cabinet also approved the establishment of the Sindh Climate Fund and the Sindh Climate Change Board.
Further approvals included Rs1.13 billion outside the provincial budget for the M-6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, the expansion of the Rescue 1122 service, and the renewal of health insurance for employees of the Sindh Secretariat, Chief Minister’s House, and Governor House. The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust was also granted a one-year exemption from infrastructure cess.