Though several prominent Sindhi leaders have warmed up to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ahead of its rally to be held at Airport Road today, not everyone has jumped on to the bandwagon.
The Sindh Peoples Students Federation (SPSF) made this clear when they torched an effigy of the president of the PML-N, Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, at a rally outside the Larkana Press Club on Friday.
It seemed as if the stage was set for the PML-N to hold a great show without any unsavoury interruptions. But things went awry when SPSF activists, led by their leaders, Ghani Jatoi, Malook Jagirani and Kamran Odhano, organised a rally from their office in Kennedy Market. As they made their way through the streets, they removed and tore banners as well as flags that the PML-N had put up.
Damage control
The PML-N responded swiftly by arranging a press conference. Senator Pervez Rashid, who was in Larkana to supervise arrangements for the rally, condemned the SPSF protest. He said that it made no difference to the PML-N leaders and that the arrangements for his party’s rally were in the final stages. Rashid added that only a handful of miscreants were involved in the removal of PML-N banners and flags. He said that his party never tried to stop leaders from Larkana from holding rallies in Lahore as it was the right of every political party to organise meetings wherever they pleased.
The PML-N informed the commissioner and the SSP of Larkana about the incident. The party was assured that fool-proof security arrangements had been made for its rally.
Rashid said that despite strong opposition from the US and five phone calls from former US president, Bill Clinton, Nawaz Sharif tested nuclear bombs in 1998. This, he said, shows that Nawaz is valiant enough to steer the country out of its current problems. Rashid was also optimistic that a large number of people from all over Sindh would attend the rally. The senior vice president of PML-N Sindh chapter, Syed Ghous Ali Shah, the former governor of Sindh, Mamnoon Hussain, and the deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Rana Mashood, were also present at the press conference.
Mission
The party has finalised a list of about 25 seasoned politicians from Sindh who are expected to join the PML-N during Nawaz’s visit today. According to party sources, out of a list of 25, a few politicians will join PML-N during his visit to Larkana while the rest are expected to join after a meeting with him in Karachi, scheduled for December 15. Of prominent political families, the Mahars, Sheerazis, Arbabs, Mazaris and Jatois have finalised their terms, sources said.
Nawaz’s visit to Karachi is scheduled exclusively for negotiating with these families and to attend subsequent announcement ceremonies, sources added.
The PML-N chief is also expected to hold intense negotiations with Altaf Unar and former chief minister Sindh Liaqat Jatoi, in Karachi. If their reservations are addressed, sources say, they could announce their decision to join the PML-N as well.
Larkana PPP stronghold Altaf Unar
Family in politics since 1953. Uncle Faqeer Muhammad Unar was a member of the Legislative Assembly. Elder brother Ghulam Hussain Unar MPA four times since 1985. After brother’s death, he joined politics in 1996, later joined PML-Q. Made MPA twice, revenue and rehabilitation ministers. Currently, PML-Q senior VP
Kashmore PML-Q stronghold Sardar Saleem Jan Mazari
Former district nazim
An MPA four times since Zia’s regime, stood as an independent, joined the PML-Q during the Musharraf era and was district nazim 2001 to 2008. Not active in politics
Dadu PPP stronghold Liaquat Jatoi
Former CM
Sindh University lecturer, MPA first in 1985, then 1990 and on to CM. MNA in 1993 and 1996. Joined PML-Q in 2002, federal minister for water and power during Musharraf tenure. Lost to PPP’s Rafique Ahmed Jamali in 2008. Formed the Awami Ittehad Party. Father Abdul Hamid Jatoi was against his politics as CM. Brother Sadaqat Jatoi active, elder brother Ahsan Jatoi a senator
Ghotki PPP and Mahar stronghold Ali Muhammad Mahar
Former CM
MNA in 1993 during PPP’s second run, joined PML-N and became an MNA in 1996, stood as independent in 2002, joined PML-Q and became CM. Currently, an MNA
Sardar Ali Gauhar Mahar
Former nazim
Elder brother of ex-CM, MPA in 1996, twice district nazim during Musharraf’s tenure (2001 to 2008)
Ali Nawaz Mahar alias Raja Mahar
State minister during Musharraf tenure
Younger brother of Ali Muhammad Mahar, stood in 2002 as MNA, lost as MPA in 2008
Thatta Shirazi and PPP stronghold Syed Aijaz Shah Shirazi
Rural development adviser
MPA 1985-1999, did not stand again because he does not have a graduate degree. Held posts of irrigation and works minister, adviser during Musharraf’s tenure.
Syed Shafqat Shah Shirazi Twice a district nazim
Senator 1986-87, MNA in 1993 and 1996 but didn’t stand because of graduation condition
Syed Shah Hussain Shah MPA
The son of Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi, stood first in 2008 and badly beat opponent
Ayaz Shah Shirazi MNA
The son of Aijaz Shah Shirazi, MNA in 2001, 2008 too. PML-Q district president
Muhammad Ali Malkani (Shirazi group)
Tourism minister
MPA in 1993, 1996, then MNA in 2001, state minister in Musharraf’s tenure
Tharparkar Stronghold of the Arbabs Arbab Ghulam Rahim
Former CM (PML-Q Likeminded group)
MNA in 1993, 1998, MPA in 1999, works minister during CM Ali Mohammad Mahar’s time, creamed the competition in 2008, PML-Q like-minded group Sindh president
Arbab Zakaullah
Arbab Rahim’s nephew, fourth time an MNA, degree challenged 4 times. Resigned so Shaukat Aziz could stand from his constituency. He was also the taluka nazim of Deplo in 2001
Arbab Zulfiqar MPA
Arbab Rahim’s nephew, first stood in 2008
Arbab Anwar Former Tharparkar nazim
Arbab Rahim’s nephew, was chairman of the public safety commission, Tharparkar nazim in 2005, has an MA
Arbab Attaullah Former Tharparkar nazim
Arbab Ghulam Rahim’s cousin, MPA in 1993, fisheries and livestock minister during Abdullah Shah’s tenure. Not currently active in politics
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2011.
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INSHALLAH Nawaz shariff will be next prime minister of the country.
Best wishes for the only political party that brings some hope to the country.
Nawaz sharif was against nuclear testing it was only pressure from army and statements from benazir which put him under pressure And then zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave him nightmares and he had no choice Nawaz sharif is weak on India ,USA and big fan of house of saud and Taliban
All the big personalities are coming because of Syed Ghous Ali Shah, he really has worked hard for PMLN in Sindh and that is evident from his continuous visits and negotiations with these leaders. Most are good, however Arbab is not worth taking up.