Govt role alleged in breach at Kot Aalmu

Two former officials claimed that the breach was made in retribution for Sujawal residents not supporting the PPP.

THATTA: Two former officials have claimed that the breach in River Indus at Kot Aalmu near Surjani was made in retribution for a decision by Sujawal residents not to cast their ballots in favour of the PPP.

The claim was made by former provincial minister Syed Ajaz Ali Shah Shirazi and former district nazim of Thatta, Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi, during a press conference on Sunday evening.

The two ex-officials demanded an inquiry into the breach at Kot Aalmu and corruption in relief goods, under the supervision of Sindh High Court’s chief justice. Federal lawmaker Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sherazi was also present on the occasion.

The former nazim alleged that the planning of the breach was made under the patronage of Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfikar Ali Mirza in connivance with  a federal and provincial lawmaker and Thatta DCO Manzoor Ali Shaikh.

He said the breach occurred in a place where it was unlikely to happen. Shafqat Hussain said he was present at the site of Surjani at 3:00 am when superintending engineer Junaid Memon informed him of the breach.

“I rushed to the site where I found the MNA, MPA and Thatta DCO busy talking instead of taking any step,” he added.

He alleged that the people of Sujawal were punished for favouring Shirazis and not voting for the PPP. As a result hundreds of thousands of people were compelled to leave their homes.

The former nazim said that although he was made a member of the relief committee, he was neither informed nor invited to a single meeting in this regard.

“I was kept in the dark about where and when the relief goods were distributed and our federal and provincial lawmakers were not allowed to take part in relief work,” he complained.

He said the relief goods are kept in the Police Line in Makli and other places under the control of the DCO and was distributed in order of favouritism. He alleged that the corruption of billions of rupees were committed in relief aid.

He announced a hunger strike in front of the DCO office under the supervision of federal lawmaker Ayaz Ali Shah Shirazi and provincial deputy Syed Shah Hussain Shah from Monday against the discrimination in distribution of relief goods. He also announced a hunger strike on the occasion of the National Assembly session.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2010.