Writers, poets, journalists and civil society activists took part in the protest, but were restricted by police to the Arts Council roundabout. Gates leading to the Sindh Secretariat and the provincial assembly were also closed. The intellectuals then staged a demonstration and listened to speeches made by leaders of the literary unions.
The protest came a day after the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid Sindh, a coalition partner of the PPP-led government in Sindh and Islamabad, alleged that the Sindh Peoples Local Government Act (SPLGA) had created a parallel governance system in the province.
The protesters on Sunday said that writers, poets and intellectuals throughout the province have rejected the new law, which was passed by the PPP and its coalition partner without giving its opponents an opportunity to present their case. They vowed to continue their protests after Ashura.
Dr Mushtaq Phul, Agha Saleem, Irshad Memon, Noor Ahmed Memon, Inam Shaikh, Ishtiaq Ansari, Gul Hassan Kalmati, Qabool Abro, Manzoor Solangi, Murtaza Sial, veteran Sindhi poets Akash Ansari, Hidayat Baloch, authors Dastagir Bhatti and GN Mughal, Hamsafar Gadahi, Ismail Rahu, Ali Hassan Chandio, Shafi Mohammad Jamote, Prof. Mushtaq Mirani, Muzaffar Chandio and Zulfiqar Halepoto were among those who formed the “human chain”.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2012.
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