GDA rejects the idea of making alliance with PPP

Meeting was held to discuss reorganisation of alliances, crackdown against corrupt politicians

KARACHI: Leaders of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), rejecting an idea to forge an alliance with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh, have asked the federal government to announce a development package for the province.

After the meeting chaired by Pir Pagara at Kingri House, GDA Secretary-General Ayaz Latif Palijo referred to different issues confronted by Sindh and said, "There is a severe water crisis. People are suffering from gas load-shedding and no one pays heed to impeding problems," he said.


The meeting was attended by Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi, Murtaza Khan Jatoi, Zulfiqar Mirza, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Hasnain Mirza, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Nand Kumar Goklani, Nusrat Seher Abbasi, Ghous Bux Mahar, Irfanullah Marwat and Sardar Rahim. The three-hour-long meeting discussed various issues including reorganisation of the alliance at the grass-roots level, the crackdown against corrupt politicians and bureaucrats and upcoming alliances with different groups and parties.

Addressing the joint press conference with Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi and Dr Safdar Abbasi, Palijo once again demanded the resignation of Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah and said, "He should step down until the investigation team declares him innocent."

"There are serious allegations against the CM. We don't trust the anti-corruption department of the provincial government, so federal government should play its role to deal with corruption in Sindh." He added that all GDA leaders endorsed the ongoing crackdown against corrupt people, which, according to him, should continue till the end.
GDA is in a coalition partnership with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led federal government. The meeting also criticised the federal government's decision of giving permanent citizenship to illegal immigrants, including Afghans and Bengalis, and asked the federal government to reconsider its decision.

Rashdi said that the GDA would play an important role in future politics. In this connection, reorganisation of the alliance would be initiated soon. "We have no soft corner for those who have looted Sindh's wealth," he said.

Former chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim also asked the federal government to give special attention to Sindh's issues by giving a special package and taking action against corrupt people without any leniency.