KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his remarks on martyrs, saying the move would enhance rather than diminish his political standing.
Speaking at a press conference, Memon said the remarks had hurt the families of martyrs and had been amplified by Indian media. He maintained that taking back the statement would reflect political maturity and respect for those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
“Taking back the words will not reduce his respect; it will increase his stature,” Memon said, describing Fazlur Rehman as an experienced politician.
Memon Says Martyrs Should Remain Above Political Differences
Memon said Pakistan’s armed forces were engaged in operations against militant groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and stressed that the sacrifices of martyrs should not become part of political disputes.
He said the entire nation had stood behind the armed forces during recent tensions with India, with people supporting the country in different ways.
The senior minister added that political leaders should avoid statements that could be exploited by hostile foreign media or undermine national unity.
PPP Never Spoke Against State Institutions, Says Memon
Memon said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had opposed the military governments of former presidents Ziaul Haq and Pervez Musharraf but had never targeted Pakistan’s state institutions.
He said the party had endured imprisonment, political persecution and the loss of its leadership while continuing to respect national institutions.
Referring to the former Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Memon claimed parties within the alliance had supported Pervez Musharraf’s continuation as president while he remained army chief.
Sindh Claims Recovery of 1.7 Million Tonnes of Wheat
Turning to agriculture, Memon said Sindh had produced a bumper wheat crop due to provincial government policies but alleged that profiteers and hoarders illegally stockpiled grain after the harvest.
He said authorities recovered 1.7 million tonnes of wheat during a province-wide crackdown and that owners of the seized stocks would be paid the official procurement rate.
According to Memon, the crackdown helped reduce the price of wheat flour by Rs13 per kilogram, while wheat stockholders were urged to deposit their produce in government warehouses.
He added that Sindh and Punjab had adopted separate wheat procurement policies and claimed there was evidence of wheat being transported from Sindh to Punjab. He said the Constitution did not permit provinces to block the movement of wheat across provincial borders.
Water Shortage and Infrastructure Concerns
Memon said Sindh continued to face water shortages and that the provincial government had repeatedly written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal government, seeking the province’s constitutional share of water.
He urged the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to ensure water distribution among provinces in accordance with existing agreements.
The minister also criticised the lack of federally funded motorway projects in Sindh, saying Karachi was the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and deserved infrastructure development comparable to other provinces.
Comments on Priya Kumari and Mustafa Kamal
Memon described the disappearance of Priya Kumari as a serious issue and said the Sindh government had already presented its official position on the matter.
Responding to MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal’s proposed protest, Memon said Kamal should first resign from the federal cabinet and vacate his National Assembly seat before launching a sit-in.
He also criticised those making statements against Sindh’s unity, alleging that such rhetoric was intended to create political confrontation.
Also Read: PML-N’s Amir Muqam Criticises Fazlur Rehman Over Remarks on Military Martyrs
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