Pakistani-Americans’ Investments, Not Donations,
Will Be Helpful for Pakistan
By Nuzaira Azam
Washington, DC

 

“Overseas Pakistanis could play a significant role in controlling the current fiscal crisis in Pakistan,” said Kamran Tessori, Governor of Sindh. He lauded the role of Pakistani Americans, who have always helped the country, and suggested that their investments in Pakistan, not donations, would be more helpful to the country.

He was addressing leaders of Pakistani political parties in the Metro-Washington area at an event organized by the US Pakistani American Press Association on Friday, 28th April 2023.

“Pakistan’s military is one of the few organized institutions that has served the country and earned tremendous respect from the public,” said Governor Tessori while answering a question relating to Pakistan’s military. However, he commented that politicians appear humble to the Pakistani military or establishment when they are in authority but start blaming and defaming the military once they lose control.

Responding to a question about corruption in the Sindh government, he said he had abolished corruption wherever his authority permitted. He believes his administration could control street crimes in a few days if he gets IG Sindh to work under his coordination. “There will be no street crime in four days.” He added that he would take personal responsibility if a crime were committed on the fifth day.

Governor Tessori said that he initiated a program called “Taaqatvar Pakistan,” which delivers food to the homes of unemployed people for six months free of cost until the head of the family gets a job. He also told the audience that since taking the oath of office in October 2022, he has organized different sports in Karachi after a gap of 17 years. In addition, he opened the doors of the Governor’s House for Iftar for the public for the whole month of Ramadan and received the people and listened to their issues. He was positive in saying that a new tradition has started, and he believed that others would also do the same.

He also highlighted some civic problems in Karachi, such as water trade by the Water Board and price hikes that have devastated people and families. Governor Tessori expressed serious concern over the double standards of education in Sindh. He mentioned that Grammar Schools have excellent facilities for children. At the same time, nearby Peela Schools (commonly known as government schools) lack basic educational facilities and run at the mercy of primarily substandard teachers. As a result, poor children from these schools—some noticeably young—become automobile garage workers, truck cleaners, plumbers, and similar unskilled laborers. “We need a national primary education commission instead of an Ehtesab Commission,” he added.

“Pakistan is going through terrible economic and social problems and, even in such worst times, our politicians engage in the blame game,” Governor Tessori lamented. He wished the politicians would refrain from tactics that stain the country’s name.

Earlier President of the Pakistani American Association Khurram Shahzad welcomed the Governor and General Secretary Yusuf Chaudhry moderated a Q & A session.