Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday harshly criticised the federal and Punjab governments over the wheat shortage in the wake of devastating floods.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, Sharjeel Memon said that Rs300 billion worth of wheat is being imported now, which could have instead been used as a subsidy to local growers.

“Who benefits from importing such a large quantity of wheat?” he asked, adding that prior to 2005, Pakistan was a wheat-exporting country.

“Those in power should not consider themselves the ultimate authority,” he said and urged the federal government to take such decisions which could improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

Sharjeel Memon clarified that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is not a political ally of the federal government, but supports it in the interest of democracy.

On recent flood damages, he claimed that had proper planning been done in Punjab, the destruction could have been significantly minimised.

“We planned better. A fact-finding report would reveal that the losses were due to inexperience.”

He noted that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had earlier called for seeking international assistance during floods.

Regarding transport infrastructure in Sindh, the minister claimed that double-decker buses will soon arrive in Karachi.

Responding to a question, he said that work on the Jam Sadiq Bridge is in its final stages and is expected to be completed within a week.

He said the Sindh Transport Department is working on various projects, including providing electric motorcycles to women and setting up electric bus manufacturing plants in the province.

“Solving public issues remains the Sindh government’s top priority,” Sharjeel Memon added.

The minister also revealed that China intends to set up a manufacturing plant in Dhabeji, and President Asif Ali Zardari wants local youth to be trained in China.

He added that cooperation in energy and other key sectors has also been discussed with Chinese officials.

On recent incidents of violence, Memon said the attack on journalist Imtiaz Mir and the killing of members of the transgender community were isolated cases, not acts of terrorism.

“There is no evidence of any organised motives behind these incidents,” he added.