Bilawal Karachi traders: bring grievances to me, avoid ‘complaining elsewhere’

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged Karachi’s traders to approach him directly with their grievances instead of complaining to others.

Speaking at a ceremony in Karachi in honour of traders, he said that the province belongs to the PPP and there is no need to lodge complaints elsewhere. 

“I will try my best to address the traders’ concerns. If anyone has issues with the chief minister, ministers, or bureaucracy, they should bring it to me. This province belongs to the PPP, there’s no need to complain elsewhere,” Bilawal said. 

He talked about the improvement in Karachi’s security situation, saying that extortion demands, threats to lives, and forced factory shutdowns were now a thing of the past.

“The way this city used to operate is now history. No one forces labourers to attend rallies anymore, and that is partly due to our efforts,” he said. 

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Bilawal questioned whether he or his government had ever caused trouble for traders, saying, “Why would I want anyone to harass you in my name or the name of my government?” 

He also lauded Sindh’s success in public-private partnership projects, highlighting their profitability.

Criticising federal policies, he said, “Decisions are made in Islamabad without consulting us — whether it’s setting tariffs or formulating policies — and the losses are borne by everyone. Just as Saudi Arabia is rich in oil, Sindh has vast coal reserves. We demand affordable electricity.” 

Bilawal took aim at federal ministers for their claims about ending load-shedding. “The prime minister and ministers shamelessly say they have eliminated load-shedding. Show me one city in Sindh, or anywhere in Pakistan, where there’s no load-shedding,” he said. 

He said that due to the federal government’s attitude, Sindh is now focusing on its own power generation projects.

“We are moving ahead with energy projects, and we don’t need Islamabad’s permission to proceed,” he concluded.