KARACHI: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday has said that Sindh is facing dictatorship in guise of democracy and that is why people of Sindh have been deprived of their rights.

Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club, the Information Minister Bilawal speaks of democracy but Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has always taken non-democratic steps in its tenure. he alleged.

Fawad Chaudhry, while announcing the monitoring of the funds given to Sindh, said that under the 18th Amendment, it was the responsibility of the provincial government, and that the responsibility of federal government ends after the release of funds, Chaudhry added.

Fawad said the funds given to Sindh government by the Centre ended up either in Dubai, Canada or Europe.

The Minister said PTI-led federal government has transferred 1800 billion rupees to the Sindh government during the past two years and asked as to where the money was utilized and why it is not being spent on Karachi’s uplift.

He pointed out that Rs700-750 billion, excluding grants, had been allocated for Sindh in the budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.

However, he said, the need was felt to monitor the expenditure of funds issued to the Sindh government and the federal government planned to do so through a third party.

The Information Minister claimed that, the Prime Minister himself will lead the election campaign and next government in the province would be formed by PTI as it was not possible for PPP to win the elections on the basis of its performance.

Stressing on monitoring of development budget, he said that a mechanism was in offing for monitoring of PSDP projects so that proper utilization of funds and relief to the masses could be ensured.

The federal government wanted PFC be constituted so that Karachi and all other districts of Sindh could get due share in the provincial resources and development budget, he explained and said that right now those funds were not being utilized properly and being transferred abroad.

It seemed that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was unaware of Article 140-A which required provinces to establish a local government system, convene provincial Finance commission and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibility and authority to the elected representatives of the local governments so that basic issues of the masses could be resolved, he said.

Fawad Chaudhry sharply criticized the opposition on other issues including electoral reforms and said that Shahbaz Sharif does not appear independent in party decisions, suggestions regarding Election Commission should come in Parliament but Shahbaz Sharif wants to call APC.

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry further said that Maryam and Bilawal never say anything about relations with other countries including Afghanistan, the Prime Minister is the first ruler who has given a clear and unequivocal position on Afghanistan.