Devolving power: MQM chief rejects Sindh local govt law

Says the people of Sindh do not accept the local governance system being introduced by PPP.

KARACHI:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain while rejecting the Sindh Local Government Law 2013 said that its former coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) wants to divide the people living in the urban and rural areas of the province.

“By passing the discriminatory local body bill in the assembly, the PPP wants to create difference amongst people of Sindh. We reject their conspiracy,” Altaf Hussain said on Monday while talking at rallies held in Karachi and Mirpurkhas to support the party’s candidates for the upcoming by-elections.

Altaf, who has recently resumed his public addresses after June’s gathering where he had hit out hard at the British government, said on Monday that by bringing in the current law, the PPP has enforced British Raj in the province.

“Creating differences amongst people is nothing new for the PPP. Its conspiracies go back to 1973,” said Altaf.

The MQM leader said that the people of Sindh are united with the MQM and they do not accept the local governance system which is being introduced by the PPP. “People are aware of the PPP’s schemes and they will not fall for such tactics.” He said adding that they reject the PPP’s tyrant thinking.

The MQM chief said international and national conspiracies were being hatched against him and his party workers across the globe were facing difficulties in carrying out their political activities.

Regarding the British Police investigation against him in the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq, inciting violence and money laundering, the MQM chief told his workers not to worry.

“If I get arrested because of false cases leveled against me, the workers should not be upset and the party’s struggle for truth and justice should carry on. I would get my head cut off but I won’t bow down to such conspiracies and fake allegations against me,” Altaf added.

The MQM leader appealed to all communities to support the party against the new local governance system and bring back the one which they had prepared last year.

Altaf also spoke against India’s violation of the ceasefire and said that every worker of the party would defend the boundary of the country and sacrifice their lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2013.