'Caretaker setup is an extension of PPP govt'
GDA writes letter to election commission against partiality
GDA's press conference after meeting at Kingri House. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI/ HYDERABAD:
The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), an alliance of different political parties against the Pakistan People Party (PPP) in Sindh, expressed concern over partiality of the caretaker government, calling it a continuation of the PPP government.
In a letter written to the election commission, GDA alleged that most police officials and bureaucrats posted in Sindh were PPP nominees. "All officials for election duties have been selected by the outgoing government. The caretakers have just issued notifications for these officers," read the letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner.
The letter was written after a meeting at Kingri House on Monday, which was chaired by GDA chief Pir Pagara. The meeting was attended by leaders of different political parties, including Dr Fehimda Mirza, her husband Zulfiqar Mirza, GDA General Secretary Ayaz Latif Palijo, Ghous Ali Shah, Irfanullah Marwat, Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Safdar Abbasi, Nand Kumar Goklani, Husnain Mirza, Khuda Bux Rajar and others.
"GDA will form the next government in Sindh, but PPP is adopting a different tactic to hijack the polls through its bureaucrats," said Pir Pagara, adding that all transfers and postings of officers were done on the recommendation of PPP.
GDA accuses caretaker setup of favouring PPP
"People of Sindh will heave a sigh of relief soon. The time when we will be able to get rid of a corrupt government is fast approaching," Pir Pagara said.
After the meeting, Palijo said that people of Sindh had been suffering from water and sanitation problems for long and Sindh's infrastructure was in shambles.
Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi, former federal minister and Pakistan Muslim League - Functional Sindh chapter president, diverted the media's attention towards contaminated water being consumed by people in Sindh. "The judicial commission has exposed how people are compelled to drink gutter water," he said.
Zulfiqar, a former home minister, claimed that anti-PPP voters in Badin and other areas were being victimised by state machinery. "Fake FIRs are still being registered against our people and irrigation water is being diverted to change their loyalties," he alleged.
GDA wants elections to be held on time
Ghous Ali Shah and Safdar Abbasi also spoke to the media.
GDA objects to protocol for PPP candidates
The GDA has asked the caretaker government to withdraw the protocol allegedly being provided to PPP candidates, especially former ministers.
Palijo spoke to Caretaker Chief Minister Fazlur Rehman and Inspector-General of Police Amjad Javed Saleemi, warning of protests if impartiality was not maintained.
He said he asked the CM to withdraw their protocol and complained that the deputy commissioners and SSPs were also displaying bias toward PPP's candidates. Palijo said that while protocol was being provided to the former ruling party members, the other election candidates, including those from GDA, had not even been provided minimal security.
GDA, PML-Q demand apolitical staff for polls
According to him, the CM assured him that the protocol will be withdrawn within 24 hours while the election commission will be consulted for the transfer of DCs and SSPs. "We will take action on all of your complaints," Palijo quoted Rehman as assuring.
Palijo said that IG Saleemi also gave his word that the protocol would be withdrawn. He sought names of allegedly controversial SSPs from the GDA. Palijo demanded that the SSPs who did not get a posting during the last three years in Sindh should be posted in the province.
The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), an alliance of different political parties against the Pakistan People Party (PPP) in Sindh, expressed concern over partiality of the caretaker government, calling it a continuation of the PPP government.
In a letter written to the election commission, GDA alleged that most police officials and bureaucrats posted in Sindh were PPP nominees. "All officials for election duties have been selected by the outgoing government. The caretakers have just issued notifications for these officers," read the letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner.
The letter was written after a meeting at Kingri House on Monday, which was chaired by GDA chief Pir Pagara. The meeting was attended by leaders of different political parties, including Dr Fehimda Mirza, her husband Zulfiqar Mirza, GDA General Secretary Ayaz Latif Palijo, Ghous Ali Shah, Irfanullah Marwat, Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Safdar Abbasi, Nand Kumar Goklani, Husnain Mirza, Khuda Bux Rajar and others.
"GDA will form the next government in Sindh, but PPP is adopting a different tactic to hijack the polls through its bureaucrats," said Pir Pagara, adding that all transfers and postings of officers were done on the recommendation of PPP.
GDA accuses caretaker setup of favouring PPP
"People of Sindh will heave a sigh of relief soon. The time when we will be able to get rid of a corrupt government is fast approaching," Pir Pagara said.
After the meeting, Palijo said that people of Sindh had been suffering from water and sanitation problems for long and Sindh's infrastructure was in shambles.
Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi, former federal minister and Pakistan Muslim League - Functional Sindh chapter president, diverted the media's attention towards contaminated water being consumed by people in Sindh. "The judicial commission has exposed how people are compelled to drink gutter water," he said.
Zulfiqar, a former home minister, claimed that anti-PPP voters in Badin and other areas were being victimised by state machinery. "Fake FIRs are still being registered against our people and irrigation water is being diverted to change their loyalties," he alleged.
GDA wants elections to be held on time
Ghous Ali Shah and Safdar Abbasi also spoke to the media.
GDA objects to protocol for PPP candidates
The GDA has asked the caretaker government to withdraw the protocol allegedly being provided to PPP candidates, especially former ministers.
Palijo spoke to Caretaker Chief Minister Fazlur Rehman and Inspector-General of Police Amjad Javed Saleemi, warning of protests if impartiality was not maintained.
He said he asked the CM to withdraw their protocol and complained that the deputy commissioners and SSPs were also displaying bias toward PPP's candidates. Palijo said that while protocol was being provided to the former ruling party members, the other election candidates, including those from GDA, had not even been provided minimal security.
GDA, PML-Q demand apolitical staff for polls
According to him, the CM assured him that the protocol will be withdrawn within 24 hours while the election commission will be consulted for the transfer of DCs and SSPs. "We will take action on all of your complaints," Palijo quoted Rehman as assuring.
Palijo said that IG Saleemi also gave his word that the protocol would be withdrawn. He sought names of allegedly controversial SSPs from the GDA. Palijo demanded that the SSPs who did not get a posting during the last three years in Sindh should be posted in the province.