Sindh CM belittles PTI rally in his constituency

Says Imran-led party could hardly gather 10 locals in Sehwan


October 28, 2017
PHOTO: File

NEWS DESK: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday discredited a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally in Sehwan this week, saying it was attended only by men of a particular tribe from Balochistan and some pilgrims of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

Talking to the media after attending a walk organised by the Sindh government in connection with a black day to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir at the Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum, Shah claimed the Imran Khan-led party could hardly gather 10 people in Sehwan.

Shah said he had no-objection to the holding of public meetings by any party in Sehwan – his own constituency – but when they failed to organise a successful gathering, they started playing “dramas” to divert public attention from the thin attendance.

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“This is on record that a party leader brought his few hundred tribesmen [from Balochistan] and some of the pilgrim of Lal Shahbaz Qalander went to see the rally,” he said. “This was the success story of the rally the PTI held in Sehwan,” he added.

Syed Murad Ali Shah said that it does not matter how many public meetings the PTI and other parties hold in Sindh, the people of Sindh were with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and they would vote for it once again.

Replying to a question, Shah said that the district administration was not informed about the proposed visit of the PTI leadership to the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. “At the 11th hour they reached there to offer Dua,’ he said.

“No issue, they were allowed but the drama played by their leader was totally baseless. [It] aimed at gaining political sympathy,” he said. He asked if the administration did not allow the PTI leadership to enter the shrine how could Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Arif Alvi go inside.

“They had not scaled the walls of the shrine but they were allowed,” he continued. “Imran Khan wanted to take his guards inside the shrine who [guards] were stopped,” he said. “Actually, it was his misfortune that he could not offer Fateha at the shrine, otherwise nothing was wrong there.”

Shah said he had respect for Shah Mahmood Qureshi but not anymore. “I used to respect you [Qureshi] but now I don’t because you do not speak like a sensible person,” the chief minister said.

Referring to an incident between Qureshi and his brother in Multan recently, Shah added: “Your brother has exposed you who you [really] are.” he added: “This is the reputation you are enjoying at your home.”

Earlier, the chief minister wearing black armband led the walk held to express solidarity with people of Kashmir. He said that the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto raised the Kashmir issue on international level and again Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto used every forum to highlight Indian atrocities in Kashmir.

Kashmir would become part of Pakistan, the chief minister vowed. “We would not let our Kashmiri brothers alone at this stage of their struggle.” He thanked the people who attended the walk in a large number to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.

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Breaking the shackles

The chief minister, taking notice of the chaining of a child at a Madressa in Tando Mohammad Khan, directed the Sindh police chief to get the innocent child liberated and take necessary action against those responsible.

“I have given clear instruction that the human rights must be respected everywhere in Sindh. Particularly, I would not tolerate highhandedness against children and women,” he said.

Shah said that children could not be imparted education by keeping them in chains. “This inhuman act is bound to destroy the personality and dignity of a child. This is unacceptable.” He directed all the deputy commissioners to ensure implementation of human rights in their areas.

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