Most of us form our opinions about Sindh by looking through an old, faded frame. We recall the Sindh of twenty or thirty years ago – Larkana, Sukkur, Rohri, Hyderabad – and then project that image onto today’s reality. I admit I was no different. While criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party, I too repeated the familiar line that “Roti, Kapra aur Makaan” was merely a slogan and that Sindh had remained unchanged.

This time, however, a journey through interior Sindh challenged that long-held perception.

Frankly, I was taken by surprise.

This was not the Sindh I had been carrying in my mind for years.
The first shock came the moment I entered Sukkur. Wide, smooth, well-organized roads welcomed me – roads that did not reflect neglect or deprivation but planning and confidence. As one moves through the city, the surroundings no longer resemble a struggling town but a growing urban center. National and international brand showrooms, modern automobile dealerships, organized markets, and shopping areas are now a visible part of Sukkur’s landscape.

Equally striking is the progress in health and education. Advanced cardiac hospitals, dedicated children’s hospitals, universities, women’s universities, quality schools, and colleges are no longer distant promises but operational realities. Facilities we usually associate with major metropolitan cities have quietly taken root in Sukkur.

Perhaps the most noticeable shift, however, lies in the social fabric. The traditional image of widespread poverty – worn-out clothes, tired faces, and bowed heads – has begun to fade. People appear better dressed, better housed, and better mobile. The fields are green, canals are flowing, and life along the banks of the Indus feels vibrant. The farmer is no longer merely a marginalized haris; he appears increasingly as a dignified participant in the economy.

None of this happened by accident.

Behind this transformation stands the sustained presence of the Pakistan Peoples Party and its leadership. The political vision of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the strategic foresight of Asif Ali Zardari, and the administrative command of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah together form the backbone of Sindh’s development trajectory.

When Sukkur and Rohri are discussed, one name surfaces repeatedly: Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
As Sindh’s Minister for Local Government and a representative of Sukkur and Rohri, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has overseen development projects worth billions. More importantly, these projects did not remain trapped in paperwork. Roads, educational institutions, civic infrastructure, and urban and rural facilities are visible on the ground. These are not claims; they are observations.

Equally noteworthy is the role of his son, Syed Kamil Hyder Shah, who serves as Chairman of the District Council and Lord Mayor. He represents a serious and grounded example of young political leadership. His focus on restoring local governance, providing basic services in rural areas, and maintaining direct contact with citizens defines his political approach. What stood out most was his accessibility. There is no obsession with protocol, no artificial distance. Even today, hundreds of people visit his ancestral home daily with their concerns, and solutions are visibly pursued. When politics becomes service, it begins to look like this.

My participation in the anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in Naudero offered yet another perspective. From Sukkur onward, caravans of people poured in – motorcycles, vehicles, and pedestrians emerging from fields and villages, all heading toward the gathering. The presence of youth was especially striking, signaling that the party’s appeal is not confined to the past but resonates with the new generation as well.

At the venue, party discipline, unity, and organization were evident. The leadership stood among the people, not above them. Women’s emotional attachment to Benazir Bhutto remains powerful, while Aseefa Bhutto carries that legacy forward with quiet dignity. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is no longer just a symbolic name; he has become a political hope.

The truth is that “Roti, Kapra aur Makaan” is no longer merely a slogan in interior Sindh. It is increasingly visible as a lived reality. Projects such as the Gambat Liver Hospital, cadet colleges, and numerous development initiatives have contributed directly to social uplift. This is precisely why separating Sindh from the Pakistan Peoples Party is neither simple nor realistic. The relationship has evolved into one of development, identity, and trust.

Traveling from Rohri to Khairpur deepened this realization. Khairpur is no longer just a historic princely state; it is emerging as an educational and industrial hub. Medical universities, industrial zones, colleges, and learning institutions testify to a city stepping out of its past and looking toward the future. Here, the Pakistan Peoples Party is not merely a political party; it is a tradition – one laid by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, carried forward thoughtfully by Nafisa Shah, with Asad Shah actively engaged in grassroots politics. Sukkur, Rohri, and Khairpur today stand as living proof of the party’s deep-rooted strength.

One caveat, however, must be stated clearly.
If the same intent, planning, and attention were extended to Karachi, Sindh would truly feel complete.

Still, one conclusion stands firm:
Sindh has changed – and for now, Sindh will remain with the Pakistan Peoples Party.