Local bodies polls held under ‘reign of terror’, says Haleem

Opposition leader in Sindh Assembly says nation rising for regime change

KARACHI:

Opposition leader Haleem Adil Sheikh has rejected the upcoming local government elections, claiming they will be held under the influence of deputy commissioners, police and governed by a 'reign of terror'. The opposition leader was taking part in the budget debate in the Sindh Assembly session on Monday.

Haleem Adil Sheikh, while pointing to the treasury benches, said that the serving government must go after the election. "Now there will be either by elections or a revolution. Today, the whole nation has come out against the regime change and it will not go home without elections."

As the speech of the opposition leader grew lengthy, MPA Mukesh Kumar asked him to keep it concise. Sheikh replied that no specific time had ever been fixed for the leader of the opposition's or the leader of the house's speech.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the Shiekh should be allowed to speak for as long as he wished as the government had no objection. Speaking again, Haleem Adil Sheikh said that like elections, only announcements are seen in the budget book. The old schemes are not complete. Targeting the performance of the government, he said that the Sindh government in its 14-year tenure has only introduced buses and a lot of noise is being made about it. He said that the opposition still welcomes the move. He said that Rs 3 billion has been allocated in the name of subsidy for Sindh farmers.

The mobile numbers of the beneficiaries of the scheme should be made public. He said sarcastically that it seems that like the tractor scheme, the benefit of this scheme will also be given to the landlords.

Talking about the lack of basic facilities in government schools, he said that drinking water was not available in 26,000 schools in Sindh. In 14 years, Rs1770 billion has been spent on education in Sindh. Ghost teachers are recruited in Sindh Educational Department, who will take action against them. Ghost teachers are appointed as someone's PA, journalist, or doing duty in someone's house. "If anyone is in my house, action should be taken against them all," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2022.