Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has accepted PPP leader Sharjeel Memon’s debate challenge, saying Sindh’s 17-year rule produced little progress.
LAHORE: (Urdu Point/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Oct,6 ,2025) Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has hit back at the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), saying she has accepted Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon’s debate challenge. “They are our allies, and we respect them, but if they make statements, they will get a response in kind,” she remarked while speaking to the media in Lahore.
Bukhari said Punjab had always fulfilled its role as the “elder brother” province. “Whenever natural disasters struck other provinces, Punjab stood with them. But when Punjab faced a difficult time, politics was played against us,” she said. The Chief Minister, she added, was disappointed that Punjab was not treated fairly during its time of crisis.
Discussing the recent floods, the minister said that three major rivers in Punjab had overflowed, and if the provincial government had not been prepared, the losses would have been severe. “Flooding caused hardships in Multan and Muzaffargarh, and incidents were reported in 25 districts,” she noted.
Bukhari added that 4.7 million people were affected by the floods, and the government would begin distributing compensation cheques to victims on October 17. She said surveys had been completed in 400 villages, and the Chief Minister had announced a PKR 15,000 salary increase for Civil Defence employees while directing all departments to cut unnecessary expenses.
Criticizing PPP leaders, Bukhari accused Nadeem Afzal Chan of holding multiple press conferences and making baseless allegations. “Ask him what he has done for the flood victims. It is our duty to defend Punjab’s interests, and we will do so,” she asserted.
Taking a direct swipe at the PPP, she said, “You will get the same kind of response as your statements. Your position is now half one thing and half another. We respect you as allies, but the difference between Karachi and Lahore is no rocket science — everyone can see it. You have nothing to show for Sindh’s progress; your politics rides on Punjab’s shoulders.”
She further said, “Come to Lahore — I’ll show you Bahawalpur, Multan, Lodhran, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Take me to Kashmore, Nawabshah, or Garhi Khuda Bakhsh and show me what you’ve done there.”
Concluding her remarks, Bukhari reaffirmed her acceptance of Sharjeel Memon’s challenge, saying, “Tell us about just 17 projects from your 17 years in power. Come to Lahore, and I’ll give you a tour of the city myself.”
