Azma-Sharjeel war of words intensifies

The war of words between two key ministers from Punjab and Sindh has intensified with both locking horns to highlight development projects in their respective provinces and downgrading the other’s, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and his accused Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her ministers of criticizing the Sindh government without having knowledge of the facts,

Responding to Sharjeel Memon’s presser, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Monday that playing ‘Sindh Card’ was Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) old habit. 

In her statement issued in Lahore, the Punjab minister said that Sharjeel should bear this thing in mind that all big projects in Sindh were funded by the federal government. 

Azma accused the Sindh minister of making provocative statements. “And when the Punjab government gives you a reply, you take it to your heart,” she added.

Referring to Sharjeel’s statement in which he had said that the Sindh government did not believe in doing politics on issues, she asked, “What does frequent use of words chacha and bhateeji (uncle and niece) mean, which is an obvious reference to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz?” 

“Our hands are tied. We cannot give you a befitting reply,” the minister said, adding, “The PML-N knows a lot about the Sindh government’s wrongdoings; including rigging in the local bodies’ elections.”

The Punjab minister said that whenever a project was completed in the province at a brisk pace, it created issues for the Sindh government. 

She challenged Sharjeel to compare the PPP’s 16-year rule in Sindh with one-year performance of Punjab chief minister. “The government which failed to remove garbage from Karachi roads during the last 16 years should not lecture us,” Azma said, adding, “If you want to see neat and clean roads, then do visit Lahore.”

Sharjeel Memon’s presser

Earlier on Monday, Sharjeel Memon said that a provincial minister of Punjab tried to politicize Sehwan road accident.

Addressing a Press conference in Karachi, Sharjeel Memon said that Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) is the only political party who has formed government at the Centre. The federal government should provide Sindh Rs180 billion which were lying in Supreme Court accounts, he added.

Sharjeel Memon said that entire Pakistan is using Sindh roads and they were not indulging in starting a fighting with the federal government rather they were apprising the Centre of the actual situation.

The Sindh minister said that Punjab Chief Minister and her government had issued statements without knowing the facts.

He said that reconstruction of Sehwan road is the responsibility of the federal government. 

Turning his guns towards PTI, Sharjeel said the KP government instead of providing security to its people is trying to “attack” Islamabad.

Sharjeel said that the PTI is trying to damage Pakistan’s standing in the world.

He said that during the last 15 years some major terrorist incidents occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa even the Bannu Jail break incident happened in PTI government’s tenure but its government has failed to take any action against the terrorists.

Sharjeel Memon said that the KP government is taking steps to destabilize Pakistan on every forum.

Reporter: Rao Dilshad