Latest news with #PakistanPeople'sParty
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Low-cost housing projects hit dead end
Even after the passage of 12 years, residential projects introduced by the Sindh government for providing decent housing to the low-income segments of Karachi remain hanging in uncertainty. Amidst complex bureaucratic hurdles and shifting priorities of the government, many deserving families can imagine comfortable living in their dreams only. In the financial year 2008-09, a low-cost housing project was initiated under the management of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Housing Cell. As part of this project, low-cost houses were to be constructed in different districts of the province. According to officials of the housing cell, 18,700 low-cost houses have been constructed in three phases, Under this scheme, 6,000 houses were to be constructed in Karachi, but not a single house has been built there to date. After this, during the same tenure of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the Sindh government had announced another project under which 50,000 poor families of the province, including Karachi, were to be given free plots totaling 120 square yards in area size. However, so far, only 27,000 plots have been given to the deserving families across Sindh. The project was also supposed to accommodate families of PPP workers martyred during the bomb blast in October 2007. The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Town was built at the Hawks Bay area of Karachi, where 18,000 plots of 120 square yards were given to impoverished families including the relatives of the martyred PPP workers and local journalists. Due to lack of necessary development and other problems, most of the allottees could not build their houses and were forced to sell their plots at cheap prices due to poverty. Many others however, remained deprived of their promised land, due to the outdated system of government offices. A PPP worker from Lyari, on the condition of anonymity, revealed that when the project had started, they had made several rounds of the respective offices, but each time they were told that the paperwork had not yet started. Similarly, another PPP worker from Lyari, shared that even though he was given a plot under the scheme, he did not have money to construct a house. "I could not afford to build a house therefore, I sold my plot for Rs100,000 a few years ago," said the allottee. When contacted by the Express Tribune, Irfan Abro, in-charge of the project, confirmed that very few people had constructed houses in the Shaheed Benazir Town Karachi. "Hence, we have informed all plot holders through an advertisement this month that they should submit the layout plan of their plots as soon as possible. Allotments will be cancelled for those who do not submit their layout plans and fail to start construction work," said Abro. Anis Qadir Mangi, Director of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Housing Cell, told The Express Tribune that 6,000 houses were to be constructed in Karachi under the project. "I have submitted a proposal to the Sindh Finance Department in this regard," said Mangi.
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Meet the Press' event: Historic victory achieved on 3 fronts in ‘war' with India: PPP Chairman
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Pakistan achieved historic victory on three fronts in the war with India – at the military, diplomatic and in its narrative levels. Addressing the 'Meet the Press' event at the National Press Club, Islamabad, on Friday afternoon, Bilawal said, 'I appreciate the role of Pakistan's media, it played a responsible and successful role during the war. Within five days of war, the Pakistani media achieved a historic victory on the international stage and the world appreciated the role of Pakistan's media. Despite all challenges, the media successfully presented Pakistan's narrative to the world. Our youth defeated India on digital and social media platforms. The role of Pakistan's media has been historic and we are proud of it.' He said, 'You, the journalists, played a frontline role, and I value that. You did not compromise your credibility. During the war, Pakistan was transparent, while India spread lies not only through the media but also through diplomatic channels.' The PPP chairman also appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Shairf and said that he (PM) made the right decision at the right time. He said 'the PM announced at right time that Pakistan is ready for international investigations about the terrorist event because our hands are clean.' He said India didn't even share its information with anyone about the incident. Bilawal said Pakistan had always advocated for peace and presented its narrative to the world in the best manner. 'We want peace globally. India claimed Pakistan is a terrorist state, but the world outright rejected that narrative. We speak not just for the Pakistani people but for the Indian people too. We don't want hatred to pass down through generations. The new generation will not accept India's message of hate. Kashmir is an international dispute. If war erupts between two nuclear powers, it will endanger global peace.' He said India conspired to label Pakistan as a terrorist state, adding 'we foiled that conspiracy.' PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said 'US President Donald Trump invited our Field Marshal Asim Munir for a meal — this is a major achievement for Pakistan.' 'India threatens to stop water — this is a violation of the UN Charter. We want peace, but if India stops water, there will be war — and we will win again. If we have to fight a war for water, we will,' he said. The PPP chairman said, 'The new generation wants peace. A ceasefire between Pakistan and India means dialogue should follow. In principle, India should engage in dialogue. The Indian prime minister told Pakistan's youth, 'Eat bread or face bullets'. President Trump's peace efforts are being sabotaged by India.' Bilawal said the reality is, India didn't expect such a strong response from Pakistan — and they didn't fly their jets because they feared they'd be shot down. 'If Modi says India didn't wish for a ceasefire, he should simply say once that Trump is lying,' Bilawal challenged Modi. Bilawal also condemned Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people, saying, it must stop immediately. 'Pakistan will not recognise Israel,' Bilawal said. He said Pakistan's stance at the United Nations is clear that peace can only come if the UN is recognised and respected. Speaking on US President Donald Trump inviting Field Marshal Asim Munir for lunch, he said Field Marshal Munir is the general who won the war, and it is a matter of pride for Pakistan that the US President invited the Pakistani military chief, the winner of the war, for a meal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK HC meets Bilawal and Aseefa
ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, Wednesday, held a meeting with Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari at Zardari House. Bilawal, Aseefa and the British High Commissioner discussed strengthening bilateral relations and trade between the two countries. Both sides agreed to further enhance trade between the two countries. The PPP chairman and Marriott also discussed visit of Pakistan delegation to London under the guidance of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari after the Indian aggression. The British high commissioner appreciated Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's visit to the UK. MNA Hina Rabbani Khar was also present at the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM praises performance of Bilawal-led team
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said 'Congratulations to all of you for representing Pakistan's stance strongly and effectively on the global stage,' praising a diplomatic delegation led by Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for what he called a 'victorious' international mission. 'You fought Pakistan's case with national spirit and returned victorious,' Sharif added, speaking at a dinner held in honour of the delegation, which had recently concluded diplomatic visits to the US, the UK, and Europe. The delegation, which included senior political figures such as Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Dr Musadik Malik, and Jalil Abbas Jilani, was tasked with countering what officials described as 'recent Indian propaganda' and presenting Pakistan's position on key regional issues. Sharif credited the delegation for effectively highlighting matters ranging from Kashmir's Pahalgam incident to the Indus Waters Treaty, saying their efforts had drawn international recognition. 'Bilawal articulated Pakistan's position in an excellent manner,' he said. The prime minister also attributed Pakistan's strategic posture to 'the blessings of Allah, the prayers of the nation, and the military expertise of our armed forces,' claiming India had to 'pay a heavy price for its unjustified war hysteria.' Referring to domestic affairs, Sharif said the government had aimed to provide relief across all sectors in the newly announced 2025-26 federal budget, including salaried individuals. He thanked coalition partners, including the PPP, for their support in the budget process. 'I am hopeful that with your guidance, cooperation, and suggestions, we will overcome internal and external challenges successfully, insha'Allah!' he added. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and other cabinet members and advisers also attended the dinner. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Attacks on Iran: If we don't speak, next they will come to Pakistan: Bilawal
ISLAMABAD: Regarding the military attacks of Israel and America on Iran, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that first they came to Lebanon, then to Yemen, and now to Iran, if we don't speak up, they will come to us, and there will be no one to speak up. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Monday, he said that that we strongly condemn the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites. 'Israel attacked Iran based on lies. We condemn it. Iran's sovereignty was violated. Iran's military leadership was targeted not on the battlefield but in their homes. Iranian scientists were targeted. The biggest violation is the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.' He said that the United States (US) attacked Iran's nuclear sites. US carried out strikes at Iranian nuclear sites. Had there been a spread of radiations due to the attack, it would have impacted the entire region, especially Pakistan. The people of America do not support this war. The PPP chairman said that earlier this was said about Iraq and now it has been said about Iran that they have weapons of mass destruction. 'First, they came to Lebanon, then to Yemen and now to Iran. If we do not speak up now, then when they come to us, there will be no one to speak up. The Israeli regime must be stopped,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
