PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, expressing displeasure over remarks suggesting a swap between Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Punjab’s Maryam Nawaz, urged the business community to approach him directly for addressing their grievances rather than complaining elsewhere.
“I request you to own PPP, we are not that bad… show us the same kind of affection you gave to PTI and MQM,” Bilawal said while addressing a luncheon hosted by the Sindh government for the business community.
Earlier, trade leader Atiq Mir humorously suggested Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal swap CM Murad for Maryam Nawaz, but Iqbal only smiled and did not comment.
The remark drew harsh criticism from the Sindh government, with spokesperson Saadia Javed calling it disrespectful to the public’s mandate.
Mir later clarified that his statement was made in jest, not as a serious suggestion.
Meanwhile, Bilawal emphasized that the purpose of the luncheon was to listen to traders’ problems and find solutions.
“If you have any complaints about the chief minister, talk to me directly, don’t complain elsewhere,” he urged, stressing the need for increased communication with the business community.
He acknowledged that it was PPP’s responsibility to find solutions to their issues. “Why would I want you to face problems under my or this government’s name?” he asked.
Bilawal noted that the days of extortion and forced closures of industries in Karachi are over. “Businesses now operate without fear, and workers are no longer coerced into political rallies,” he added.
The PPP Chairman also criticized the federal government for not consulting Sindh on key policy decisions. “Decisions are made in Islamabad without consulting us, leaving provinces to bear the consequences,” he lamented.
He mentioned that the PPP’s consistent demand has been for cheaper electricity. “The prime minister and bureaucrats in Islamabad brazenly say that load-shedding has been ended… cities in Sindh are facing load-shedding of around 12 to 14 hours,” he claimed.
“We have lost faith in the Centre when it comes to electricity issues,” he said, adding that PPP has made its own arrangements. “We will be able to generate our own electricity and distribute it,” he assured.
He also proposed that the Sindh government, in consultation with the business community, should talk to the Centre regarding the issues. If the government doesn’t listen to traders, a “legal way” is available, he suggested.
“I don’t want to play any short-term game… I have to play a longer innings,” he concluded.
