Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari Sunday issued a strong response to Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, rejecting his criticism of the Punjab government and its handling of flood relief and local body elections.
Addressing the media, Bukhari said Memon’s remarks were “politically motivated” and aimed at creating unnecessary conflict between provinces. She stated that Punjab’s local body elections would be conducted transparently whenever held, adding, “They will not be bogus like Karachi — so keep your deadline in your pocket.”
The minister accused Memon of trying to “forcefully enter a province and fight,” stressing that Punjab’s resources and water would not be managed on the directives of outsiders.
Highlighting the province’s flood response, Bukhari said that financial assistance checks were being delivered to verified households, and flood victims had expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the provincial government. She alleged that PPP leaders were “insulting flood victims” and “exaggerating hardships” for political purposes.
“Did the PPP in Punjab or Sindh help flood victims even a little?” she asked, adding that the party’s “politics over human suffering” had failed to gain public support.
Accepting Memon’s call for a public debate, Bukhari said, “Choose the place and time yourself — but come in person, don’t send a proxy.” She maintained that the PPP’s attempts to politicize Punjab’s governance and relief work would not succeed.
The minister also criticised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, claiming that during his tenure as foreign minister he had “weakened both his party and the federal government.” She accused the PPP of “interfering in Punjab’s affairs” and attempting to pressure the federation through “protests and threats.”
“Who are you to give orders to Punjab? Keep your advice in your pocket,” she remarked.
Bukhari further asserted that South Punjab’s development remained ahead of many areas of interior Sindh and dismissed the PPP’s use of the South Punjab and BISP cards for political messaging. She described the practice as “political opportunism rather than service.”
Commenting on governance in Karachi, the minister said that PPP should focus on improving sanitation and waste management in its own province before criticising Punjab’s administration.