Sindh’s senior minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Sunday demanded that local body elections be held in Punjab, questioning why the province — unlike others — has not yet gone to the polls.

Addressing a presser in Karachi, Sharjeel Memon said the PPP’s demand was simple: local body elections must be held in Punjab. “Why are local body elections not being held in Punjab?” he asked, adding that other provinces have already completed theirs.

He went on to say that his party had been repeatedly given deadlines to hold the polls but that those deadlines were not met.

Calling out Punjab govt

Memon accused the Punjab government of launching a one-sided campaign against the PPP and the Sindh government.

He warned that attempts to settle differences by creating political rifts would not be allowed to succeed, and criticised those he said were stoking division for political gain.

Memon said the PPP is talking to the federation and urged constructive engagement rather than confrontation. He also repeated party appeals that the federal government should engage international organisations and countries responsible for climate change to help flood-hit communities — a position also urged by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto.

Housing for flood victims

Referring to relief efforts in Sindh, Memon highlighted the provincial government’s housing programme for flood victims, saying the Sindh administration had announced construction and distribution of 2.1 million houses for those affected by floods.

At his press briefing in Karachi, Memon criticised political opponents and their messaging. He warned against “creating an atmosphere that is not needed” and told opposing spokespersons to stop stoking division: “Don’t spread the fire of hatred, call your speechwriters to shut up,” he said. He also took aim at critics who, he said, attack the PPP even as the party focuses on helping the poor.