- Expresses desire for assemblies to complete term, but says no objection to in-house change
- Claims that PPP has always been politically victimised
- Says no further subsidy to be given to rice growers
LARKANA: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Tuesday that if the speculations regarding the rolling back of the 18th amendment in terms of reducing the share of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award are true, then the prime minister and his ministers would be an undemocratic and unconstitutional act since NFC Award can only be enhanced, and not reduced.
He stated this while talking to media at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto near Naundero, where he arrived along with his few cabinet members to pay homage to the departed soul of Mother of Democracy Begum Nusrat Bhutto on her 7th death anniversary.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said that they want the assemblies to complete their term, but in case an in-house change is coming, then it is part of democracy.
He said after 2008 elections, two assemblies had completed their term, therefore, they would like to see current assemblies to also complete their tenure as well.
Replying to another question that CJP during the hearing of case has remarked that Anwar Majeed would be shifted to Adiala Jail, the CM said that it is the job of Sindh government to provide required facilities to an indisposed prisoner.
He claimed that fake cases were registered in the past against Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari and even Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto were martyred in a fake case.
He added that they had become habitual of making fake cases against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership.
He said former president Asif Ali Zardari remained in jail for 8 or 9 years without any conviction. Replying to a question about price hike and unemployment, the Sindh chief minister said that they would soon give jobs on merit and provide other resources.
He said the federal government’s policies have caused a price hike as the gas rates have been increases and soon electricity tariff would also be inflated.
He said the federal government has just announced an increase in rates of POL and gas, but provincial governments have to deal with after effects of all these policies. He said, “We will try to provide employment opportunities to the people to alleviate poverty. We will bring stability to prices keeping in view our resources.”
The CM categorically stated that further support to the rice growers in the form of the subsidy cannot be given, adding that the government has been giving subsidy in wheat but their resources do not allow to give subsidy on paddy crop.
He said he himself is a paddy grower and claimed that rates this year are better adding government will continue to play its role.
Remembering Begum Nusrat Bhutto, he said that she was a very brave lady who rendered countless sacrifices for the cause of democracy. She fought against dictator Zia-ul-Haq, he added.