KARACHI – Awami National Party (ANP)-Sindh has secured a written assurance from Interior Minister Rehman Malik about the acceptance of their demands and pledges to redress them.
At a meeting between ANP-Sindh President Shahi Syed and Interior Minister Rehman Malik that was held at the Sindh Chief Minister’s (CM) House on Thursday, Syed put forward the demands of his party – most of which pertained to development work in Pakhtoon localities. The ANP wants the construction of the Bacha Khan Flyover link road and side roads that run along the bridge, establishing government hospitals in Pakhtoon-dominated areas, and redressing the “anti-Pakhtoon” behaviour of City District Government Karachi. Another point raised was about interference in the ministry handed to the ANP in Sindh.
“We have got assurances of compliance in written, and it has been mentioned that development work in Pakhtoon localities will be completed as soon as possible,” ANP Sindh Qadir Khan said.
The ANP-Sindh, in its meeting on April 10, had given a one-month dateline to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led Sindh government, saying that if their demands are not meet during this time, the party could take “any decision” to safeguard their interests. It was agreed back then that the party will stage a rally every Friday outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) to “remind” the Sindh government of its promises.
Following the CM House meeting, the ANP Sindh also announced postponing the Friday protest outside the KPC, with the party spokesperson arguing that the decision was made after CM Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik approached them and requested them to put off their protest in light of the situation in the city. “The protest was postponed because of protection of citizens’ life and property,” the spokesperson added.
In a yet another statement issued by the ANP, the party complained of discrimination in the housing census. “Sindhis have the first right to Sindh, but in first phase of census, heinous irregularities are being committed by a party which wants to keep away the Pakhtoon people from house counting,” the ANP spokesperson said.
The ANP demanded separate entries of illegal immigrants living in Sindh, claiming that citizenry rights should not be given to illegal immigrants in Sindh.
