Sharjeel Inam Memon: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the provincial government has recovered 150,000 tonnes of hoarded wheat during a province-wide crackdown, helping reduce wheat prices by 13%.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Memon said Punjab and Sindh recorded bumper wheat harvests this season. However, profiteers and hoarders purchased and stored large quantities of wheat, preventing the government from securing enough stocks.

He said the Sindh government launched an operation against hoarders and recovered 150,000 tonnes of wheat. Authorities paid the owners the official government price for the recovered grain.

Memon urged traders still holding wheat stocks to hand them over to the government to improve market supply and provide relief to consumers. He said wheat prices fell by 13% after the recovered stocks entered the market.

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The senior minister also discussed the recent murder of Dr Akash Kumar, saying police arrested three suspects identified as Anil, Ram Chand and Suresh. He added that officers also recovered the vehicle used in the crime and praised the police for their swift response.

Commenting on recent remarks about Pakistan’s martyrs and war veterans, Memon condemned statements that he said undermined the sacrifices of the country’s armed forces. He said Pakistan’s military had defended the country on every front and called on Maulana Fazlur Rehman to reconsider his remarks, arguing that Indian media had used the comments to benefit its narrative.

Memon said the Pakistan Peoples Party has always opposed dictatorship but has never spoken against national institutions. He stressed that all political and social groups should adopt a united stance on issues affecting national interests.

Responding to questions, Memon said Fazlur Rehman is an experienced politician and added that withdrawing the statement would strengthen his standing.

On water shortages, he said the Sindh government has repeatedly asked the federal government and IRSA to ensure Sindh receives its constitutional share of water under the inter-provincial agreement.

He also criticised the lack of major motorway projects in Sindh, saying Karachi remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and deserves greater federal infrastructure investment.

Speaking about Sindh Minister Nasir Shah, Memon said Shah is receiving treatment in Dubai after suffering a blood clot in the brain. He added that Sindh has modern healthcare facilities but Shah happened to be abroad when his condition deteriorated.

Memon said the provincial government would continue working to protect Sindh’s interests while avoiding actions that could increase political tensions.