Won’t allow Sindh’s division, resolves PPP

The ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) held a huge public gathering in Hyderabad in support of the controversial Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO), vowing that it would not allow the division of the province at any cost.
The gathering was addressed by former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, former law minister Maula Bakhsh Chandio, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani, Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Khoro and several other PPP leaders. PPP Senior Vice Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani appealed to nationalist leaders to come to the negotiating table and assemblies to express their views. “You cannot change people’s opinions at gunpoint.”
He said the philosophy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto could not be eliminated and would remain alive in the hearts of the people. Gilani said those who thought of division of Sindh in the PPP’s presence were living in a fool’s paradise. He said the PPP strengthened the federation by giving provincial autonomy under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani said the PPP government had given the nation the Benazir Income Support Programme for financial help of the poor segment of the society. He said, “We are a democracy loving people and want no other system.” Gilani appealed to Sindhi nationalist parties that if they had any differences over the Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO), they should come to the assemblies “rather than using bullets”.
Boasting about his party’s achievements while in power, Gilani said the PPP managed to amend 104 articles in the constitution with total consensus. “We have changed the constitution and there was no opposition to it. This is our achievement.” He said that the PPP was trying to strengthen the people by bringing in new bills. “If these bills had been brought earlier, you would be having East Pakistan with you right now.” “When Benazir Bhutto was murdered, the federation weakened and the country was about to break. But [President Asif Ali] Zardari strengthened the federation and helped bring Pakistan together,” he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in his earlier rallies, had termed the ruling government as “Ali Baba and the 40 thieves”. In reply to the statements, Gilani said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is not aware of who Ali Baba actually was. “Ali Baba was an honest man and he had captured 40 thieves. They do not know who he was,” he said. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said the SPLGO would help resolve the problems of the people. He said the PPP served the poor and Haris and nationalists had no programme for the welfare of the poor. Shah said Nawaz Sharif returned from Sindh disappointed as he failed to gather support in the province. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zamar Kaira said winning of by-elections and winning elections in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan was reflective of the PPP’s right policies that had the support of the people. He said no power could separate the PPP from public.
PPP leader Agha Siraj Durrani said those who were opposing the Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance had not read it.
He said Sindh was empowered to formulate its own local government system, adding that Nawaz was misleading the Sindhi people. He also called Ghaus Ali Shah the money changer of Nawaz Sharif.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said political orphans had gathered to achieve their objectives and they would always propagate against the PPP. He said Sindh would not be handed over to extortionists.
PPP leader Maula Bux Chandio said the rally was demonstrative of the popularity of the PPP. He said no one could divide Sindh. The public meeting completely supported the Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance through a resolution. The resolution paid tribute to the sagacity and political wisdom of President Asif Ali Zardari. It said the PPP was guarantor of the rights of the people. Through another resolution‚ the public meeting reposed full confidence in the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and steps taken by them for the development of the province.