Uzma Bukhari responds to Sharjeel Memon over rainwater management

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has strongly responded to remarks made by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon,

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has strongly responded to remarks made by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, saying that the Punjab government has demonstrated a significantly better response to heavy rainfall and urban flooding compared with the situation witnessed in Sindh.

In a statement, Bukhari said that whenever heavy rain occurs in any city of Punjab, the administration works to clear accumulated rainwater within a few hours. She contrasted this with the situation in Sindh, where, according to her, rainwater often remains standing for several days after periods of heavy rainfall.

Bukhari highlighted the recent rainfall experienced in several major cities of Punjab, including Lahore, Gujrat and Rawalpindi. She claimed that these cities received some of the highest levels of rainfall recorded in their history during the current monsoon season. Despite the intensity of the rainfall, she said, government authorities managed to remove standing water relatively quickly.

Referring specifically to Rawalpindi, the provincial information minister said that the administration succeeded in clearing rainwater within hours rather than allowing it to remain for days. She presented this as evidence of the provincial government’s preparedness and ability to respond rapidly during extreme weather conditions.

Bukhari also criticized what she described as attempts to shift attention away from government performance by blaming the media. She argued that the media and the public can clearly observe which governments remain active and responsive during periods of heavy rainfall and which administrations disappear when confronted with water accumulation and urban flooding.

The Punjab minister further criticized the Sindh government over the recurring problem of urban flooding in Karachi. She claimed that Karachi faces severe flooding almost every year during the rainy season, yet, despite having been governed by the same political leadership for around 17 years, the situation has not been adequately resolved.

According to Bukhari, the repeated flooding of Karachi demonstrates the need for authorities to focus on improving infrastructure, drainage systems and emergency response mechanisms instead of criticizing the media or other governments. She suggested that political leaders should evaluate their own performance and address persistent administrative shortcomings.

“Instead of criticizing the media, it would be better to focus on your own performance,” Bukhari said, criticizing what she described as a long-standing tendency to blame others for administrative failures.

She added that even after 17 years in power, the habit of placing responsibility for shortcomings on others had not changed. Her remarks were clearly aimed at the Sindh government and came in response to comments by Sharjeel Inam Memon regarding Punjab’s handling of rain-related challenges.

The exchange highlights the continuing political debate between Punjab and Sindh over urban infrastructure, drainage systems and disaster management. Heavy monsoon rains regularly put pressure on major Pakistani cities, exposing weaknesses in drainage networks and emergency response systems.

While Bukhari used Punjab’s recent response as an example of improved rainwater management, her criticism of Sindh reflects broader political tensions between the two provincial governments. Both provinces face significant challenges from increasingly intense rainfall, urban expansion and inadequate drainage infrastructure.

The debate ultimately underscores the importance of effective planning and rapid administrative action during the monsoon season. For residents, the key concern remains whether authorities can prevent prolonged waterlogging, protect public infrastructure and restore normal life quickly after heavy rainfall.