President Asif Ali Zardari formed a seven-member committee for talks with Pir Pagara’s Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and the Awami National Party (ANP) in an attempt to win back estranged partners of the PPP-led coalition government.
The two PPP allies had parted ways with the ruling party after promulgation of the new local body system in the province, describing it tantamount to dividing Sindh.
The Sindh People Local Government Ordinance (SPLOG) was passed by the provincial assembly amidst an opposition ruckus last month after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), its ally in Sindh and center, reached an accord on the local government structure.
Since then, the PPP leadership is striving to reconcile with former allies to retain its position in its stronghold in the upcoming general elections.
In their ongoing protest against the local body system, Jalal Mehmood Shah led Sindh Bachayo Committee (SBC), an alliance of Sindhi nationalist groups, announced a second province-wide strike on November 30.
Addressing the meeting of Sindh Core Committee at Bilawal House, Karachi, Zardari asked workers to start preparations for elections. The present government would hold fair and transparent elections, he said.
In the past elected representatives were not able to complete their tenure due to confrontation between opposition and the government, he stated, adding that PPP would contest next elections along with its allies in the present coalition government.
Zardari asked Sindh chief minister to take strict measures to control the increasing lawlessness in Karachi and to find a permanent solution to the problem.
He also asked members of the assemblies to strengthen their link with people. PPP is answerable to the people, said the president.
The seven-member committee is headed by former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and comprises Khursheed Shah, Naveed Qamar, Qaim Ali Shah, Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, Manzoor Wassan and Agha Siraj Durrani. The body will report to PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari within 15 days after holding talks with Pir Pagara, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali and leadership of the National Peoples Party (NPP).
