Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday rejected the apprehensions expressed by nationalist parties about the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s ‘anti-Sindh’ decisions and claimed that there is no resentment among the PPP ranks on government’s recent decisions on reviving the local government system.
Speaking at a press conference at the Chief Minister’s House, he said those protesting against the PPP government were defeated and have no support of the people in Sindh. He told the journalists that he had invited members of the Sindh Council at an iftar dinner and also discussed different issues pertaining to the province. According to Qaim’s Special Assistant Waqar Mehdi, the Sindh Council members expressed full confidence in the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the chief minister, and extended their support to the decisions taken.
The chief miniter defended the decisions made by the PPP regarding the local government system that had irked the people of the province and the leadership of nationalist parties.
He said that they had not committed any mistake therefore no apologies were needed from the people of Sindh. Qaim said the PPP considers the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001 a law which conflicts with the constitution; however, it has been re-introduced in the province for the time being. “The law will be amended in consultation with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and other parties,” he said.Rejecting the apprehensions that PPP has taken decisions against Sindh’s interests, the Sindh chief minister said that no party has protected the interests of Sindh like the PPP. “The party had taken clear stance against the Kalabagh Dam under Benazir Bhutto’s leadership and has given provincial autonomy and the due share in National Finance Commission Award during President Asif Ali Zardari’s tenure,” he added. Qaim asked the leadership of nationalist parties to avoid such politics as it will be detrimental for the province.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon and Law Minister Ayaz Soomro among others were also present on the occasion.
Qaim rubbishes ‘anti-Sindh’claims
