Hyderabad: We support a united Sindh and a united Pakistan; our slogan is ‘united Sindh and United Pakistan’, as we want to see the nation and country safe and prosperous, said Pakistan Muslim League-Functional PMLF Pir Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi, addressing a mammoth public rally here on Friday.
Pir Pagara said they had joined the coalition government to get the problems of people of Sindh resolved; however, when they felt that the government was not sincere in this regard, they decided to leave the coalition setup. He said they left the government as it was the matter of principles.
This was the first speech of Pir Pagara to any political rally and so far the biggest public meeting of the PMLF against the dual local government system in Sindh.
He said the sitting rulers have failed to give any relief to people of Pakistan. He said the dual local government system in Sindh province is a grave conspiracy against the people of this province. He said we categorically reject the controversial Sindh Peoples Local Government Act.
Pir Pagara said the rulers have failed to stop targeted killing in Karachi where 10 to 15 people are being gunned down every day. He said corruption has reached the peak and every day four to seven billion rupees are being shifted aboard. He said the Pakistan Peoples’ Party-Parliamentarians PPPP led government has played havoc with this country. He asked what the corrupt rulers have left for the new government that would come after the next general election. He said this government has even failed to given homes to people who become homeless in floods and rain three years ago.
He said they have no problems with the Urdu speaking people, or people of other provinces who have settled in Sindh. He said we want justice and honour. He said the people of Sindh are neither given justice nor honour. He said the education youth of Sindh have been facing immense problems but the rulers have no program to provide them guidance. He said these education youth are like the missiles with no direction.
He said Muttahida Qaumi Movement MQM has to live in Sindh and Sindhi people have to live with MQM. He said all people of Sindh irrespective of what language they speak are Sindhis. He said a political game is being played to compel the MQM sitting on the opposition benches.
He said the vested interests are lying with the people of Sindh on the issue of Kalabagh Dam. He said this is not a dam project but a barrage project with provision of new canals. He said this project is not acceptable for the people of Sindh. He reminded that the funds for Kalabagh project were allotted in the tenure of the government of Pakistan Peoples’ Party. He said where it was written that only Kalabagh Dam should be made to store water. He said this project is now a dead horse and no effort should be made to enliven it.
He said he has asked the intellectual and political leaders of his party to draft a new manifesto of his party. He said education and particularly education of girls would be their top priority. He said how could we progress if we did not give education to our girls.
In the end of his address Pir Pagara prayed for the safety and solidarity of Pakistan and its people. He prayed for solution to the problems of poor people and increase in their earnings.
Hundreds of thousands of people attended the PMLF rally and raised loud slogans against the dual local government system in Sindh province.