PTI to release white paper on CM’s ‘corruption’: Haleem

Opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh slammed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday, alleging him of corruption and announcing that the opposition would soon release a White Paper containing details of the allegation.

"The CM is involved in corruption and that is why Sindh continues to face huge losses," claimed Haleem- who is also the vice-president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Sindh- while addressing a press conference at the Hyderabad Press Club.

He accused the CM of posting his favourite officers on key positions for his vested interests.

The opposition leader further stated that the Roshan Sindh programme, had, in fact, "drowned the province into darkness."

"Sindh lacks even basic facilities. People are deprived of education, healthcare and ambulance service here," said Haleem, accusing the Pakistan Peoples Party-led provincial government of passing laws to benefit the corrupt.

He, implying of favouritism by the CM, added, "The CM has posted grade-15 officers as district accounts officers, most of whom belong to Bajari and Rahopoto communities.

Haleem said the incumbent government would send all corrupt element behind bars as Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed not to give the National Reconciliation Ordinance to anyone.

Read: Haleem calls for reforms in Sindh civil service

He said his party was waiting for the PM's directives to table a no-confidence motion against the Sindh CM, claiming that they had the support of 50 members of the PPP on the matter.

The PTI leader also raised the issue of law and order situation in Sindh, saying that people in Shikarpur, Kandhkot and Sukkur could not step out after the sunset.

He went on to claim that the Sindh IGP had been barred from making important decisions, while SP Farrukh Bashir played the role of the de facto Sindh police chief.

Haleem further alleged the police of killing an underage groom in detention in Khairpur, when his family was unable to pay bribe to the cops.

"The Sindh government has turned the province into a police state and corrupt policemen are posted on [important] positions and keep getting promotions," he said.

On the matter of standing committees, he decried that no lawmaker from the opposition had been made the head of any of the standing committees, which was an "unconstitutional act."

He said it was high time that the people of Sindh "decide their own fate- whether they want to suffer more or get rid of the corrupt and incompetent provincial government.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2021.