Karachi: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Tuesday that the Sindh government had completed one million houses for families affected by the 2022 floods, describing the programme as a major achievement in public rehabilitation and land ownership.

Addressing a ceremony in Karachi to mark the milestone, Bilawal said the provincial government had fulfilled its promise to provide permanent housing to flood victims despite economic difficulties and rising living costs.

He described the transfer of land ownership rights to affected families, particularly women, as the country's largest land redistribution initiative since the 1970s.

Bilawal said the project had been implemented with support from the federal government and international financial institutions.

Bilawal challenges critics over corruption

Defending the programme's transparency, the PPP chairman challenged critics to identify corruption involving even one rupee or a single house constructed under the initiative.

He maintained that the Sindh government had delivered one million houses within three years and remained committed to completing its next target of two million.

Bilawal said governments and political parties must prioritise public relief rather than political confrontation, particularly when families were struggling with inflation, unemployment and other economic challenges.

Sindh and Balochistan rehabilitation compared

The PPP chairman also compared reconstruction efforts in Sindh and Balochistan following the 2022 floods.

He said the Sindh government had assumed responsibility for rebuilding homes in the province, while the federal government had undertaken rehabilitation work in Balochistan.

Bilawal criticised the pace of reconstruction in Balochistan, claiming that only 30,000 houses had been constructed there.

He contrasted that figure with Sindh's reported completion of one million homes and said the provincial government intended to expand its programme further.

The claim concerning Balochistan's housing figures requires verification against the latest official reconstruction data.

Housing programme targets two million families

The Sindh People's Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) programme was launched following the devastating 2022 floods to provide permanent housing to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

The wider initiative aims to reconstruct approximately 2.1 million houses, with land ownership and financial assistance forming important parts of the rehabilitation programme.

Bilawal said providing housing and ownership rights would help affected families rebuild their lives and achieve greater financial security.

He reiterated that governments had a responsibility to deliver practical solutions to citizens facing economic hardship.

The next phase of the programme will focus on completing the remaining houses and extending permanent housing support to additional flood affected families across Sindh.