Summary Shahid Khaqan Abbasi criticised the government’s fuel pricing policy, questioned Sindh’s governance record, and said provinces have sufficient funds under the NFC framework.
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Former prime minister and Awam Pakistan Party convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday criticised the government’s petroleum pricing policy as “completely wrong”, while questioning governance failures in Sindh and calling for urgent action to address Karachi’s long-standing infrastructure and civic problems.
Speaking at a press conference at Urdu Bazaar Ground in Gulshan-e-Iqbal alongside former finance minister Miftah Ismail and other party leaders, Abbasi said Karachi’s development was essential for Pakistan’s progress, stressing that the country could not move forward unless its economic hub was fixed.
He said Sindh had been ruled by one political party for 17 years and, despite receiving substantial resources in line with its population under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, public problems remained unresolved.
Abbasi recalled that an elevated train project had been proposed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal two decades ago but had yet to materialise. He also questioned delays in road infrastructure, including the incomplete Bus Rapid Transit corridor and stalled development work on University Road.
He criticised the condition of public services in Karachi, saying residents continued to rely on water tankers while a tanker mafia and illegal hydrants flourished. He said rural Sindh also faced severe neglect and described the province’s infrastructure, including schools, as being in a deteriorating state.
Referring to industrial zones, Abbasi said Karachi’s problems had implications for the entire country. He questioned where provincial resources were being spent and alleged corruption was undermining development.
Turning to fuel prices, the former premier said the government’s policies were directly burdening the public and needed urgent revision. He also criticised what he described as weak governance and the absence of a clear strategy to resolve public hardships.
Abbasi claimed around 1.5 million people had left the country for opportunities abroad, which he said reflected growing public frustration. He also raised concerns over national security, referring to the closure of Islamabad for 12 days, which he said disrupted education, business and hospitality activities.
During the press conference, he said funds for major Karachi projects, including Green Line and K-IV, had been provided during Miftah Ismail’s tenure as finance minister. He rejected the argument that the federal government was withholding funds from provinces, saying provinces had significant resources after the NFC Award.
Miftah Ismail and other party leaders also highlighted governance and economic concerns, urging authorities to focus on reforms and public welfare.
