BADIN/THATTA (Correspondent): Pakistan Peoples Party Member of the National Assembly Ayaz Shah Shirazi has said that, in the prevailing national and international circumstances, the stance, political insight and diplomatic strategy of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are playing an important role in protecting Pakistan’s interests and highlighting the country’s positive image at the global level.
He was speaking at his residence, Shirazi House, Thatta Makli, during a meeting with a delegation of journalists led by Badin Press Club President Shaukat Memon and Senior Vice President of the Hyderabad Union of Journalists Tanveer Ahmed Arain.
Ayaz Shah Shirazi said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had adopted a clear, balanced and democratic position on important national issues, including India’s water policy and aggression, the regional situation arising from tensions and war between Iran and the United States, the diplomatic and economic challenges facing Pakistan, the Kashmir issue, the situation in Balochistan, public issues and the shortage of water in Sindh.
He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party was playing an effective role in improving relations between the federation and the provinces, promoting national unity and resolving public issues.
He said that due to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s public-oriented politics, wise leadership and political strategy, the Pakistan Peoples Party had achieved significant success in Gilgit-Baltistan, while the strong public response in Azad Kashmir was also indicating the party’s success.
Ayaz Shah Shirazi said that the Shirazi family had a social, familial and emotional relationship with the people of Thatta, Sujawal and adjoining areas spanning generations, and not merely a political association.
“The people have always trusted us, and in every era we have tried to live up to their trust by taking practical measures for development projects, basic facilities and public welfare,” he said.
He said that the issues of Thatta, Sujawal and Badin were interconnected. All three districts comprised canal-tail and coastal areas, where the persistent shortage of canal water was severely affecting agricultural production, fisheries and the local economy.
He said that due to the shortage of water in the Indus River, the Indus Delta was rapidly facing destruction, while seawater intrusion, environmental pollution and the deterioration of water resources had affected the livelihoods and businesses of millions of people.
The MNA said that the increasing sale of harmful substances such as supari, gutka, mawa and other narcotics in Badin, Thatta, Sujawal and Tharparkar had become a serious social issue. He said that the trend was not only damaging the health of the younger generation but was also contributing to the spread of various life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
He urged the police department and other relevant institutions to make ongoing action against drug dealers more effective, indiscriminate and swift so that the younger generation could be protected from this menace.
In response to a question, Ayaz Shah Shirazi said that his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken place in his capacity as a Member of the National Assembly, during which development projects in his constituency, public issues related to federal institutions and regional development were discussed in detail.
Responding to a question regarding the Governor of Sindh, he said that he had personal relations and longstanding ties with him and that his visit had been purely a friendly meeting. Therefore, it was not appropriate to give it a political colour.
Vice President of the Badin Press Club Imran Abbas Khawaja, senior journalists Abdul Hameed Soomro, Dodo Phanwar, Ashraf Abdullah Memon, Ata Muhammad Chandio, Sarang Junejo, Ashfaq Memon, Shafi Muhammad Memon, Noor Hassan Solangi, Malik Danish, Hussain Soomro, Mir Shakeel, Farhan Memon, Samad Khoso, Ata Sindhyar, Ishaq Sheikh, Faizan Memon, Bagh Junejo, Rajab Rahamoon, Bashir Sheikh and other journalists were also present on the occasion.
Photo Caption: MNA Ayaz Shah Shirazi speaks during a meeting with a delegation from the Badin Press Club and poses for a group photograph.