KARACHI (News Desk) – Former prime minister and Awam Pakistan Party convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday launched a sharp critique of the government’s petroleum pricing policy, calling it misguided, while also censuring what he described as years of poor governance in Sindh and neglect of Karachi’s pressing civic challenges.
Addressing a press conference at Urdu Bazaar Ground in Gulshan-e-Iqbal alongside former finance minister Miftah Ismail and other party leaders, Abbasi said Karachi remained the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and its development was crucial to national progress.
He said despite vast resources allocated to Sindh under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, the province continued to struggle with chronic governance failures and unresolved public issues.
Pointing to long-delayed infrastructure schemes, Abbasi recalled that an elevated train project for Gulshan-e-Iqbal had been conceived nearly two decades ago but had yet to move beyond planning. He also criticised delays in transport and road projects, including the incomplete Bus Rapid Transit corridor and ongoing disruptions on University Road.
The former premier painted a bleak picture of Karachi’s civic services, saying citizens were still dependent on water tankers while illegal hydrants and tanker mafias thrived unchecked. He added that rural Sindh faced similar neglect, with crumbling infrastructure and deteriorating schools reflecting systemic administrative failure.
Highlighting the wider economic impact, Abbasi said Karachi’s problems were not confined to the city but affected the entire country, particularly industrial productivity and business activity. He questioned how provincial funds were being utilised and alleged corruption had hindered development.
Turning to petroleum prices, Abbasi described the government’s fuel pricing approach as flawed and burdensome for ordinary citizens, urging policymakers to revisit economic decisions that were increasing hardship for the public.
He also criticised the government’s broader handling of governance and security, saying the country lacked a coherent strategy to tackle mounting public concerns.
Referring to migration trends, Abbasi claimed nearly 1.5 million Pakistanis had moved abroad in search of better opportunities, calling it a reflection of growing disillusionment. He also cited the recent prolonged closure of Islamabad as evidence of weaknesses in the country’s security and administrative systems.
Discussing development financing, Abbasi said funds for major Karachi projects, including Green Line and K-IV, had been arranged during Miftah Ismail’s tenure as finance minister. He rejected claims that the federal government was withholding resources from provinces, arguing that provinces .
