“This is a conspiracy against the people of Sindh, not only those living in urban areas but also in the rural areas” says Sattar. PHOTO: APP
Censuring the Pakistan Peoples Party for retracting the Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has said that the PPP is once again trying to create rifts between Sindhis and Urdu-speaking people.
According to a press statement issued by the party after a meeting of the Coordination Committee held in both Karachi and London, the leaders said that the government has brought back the 1979 system of local bodies which was introduced by military dictator General Ziaul Haq. “The PPP has taken back the system which it had made on its own, and has gone back to the one which was introduced by the dictator who was responsible for Bhutto’s execution.”
Terming it a “black law”, MQM said that the SPLGO was passed after days of discussions and consultations, and the PPP leaders had themselves praised it and said it an effective way of governance.
Party leaders said when the MQM moved out of the ruling coalition, the PPP took back the ordinance and showed “its true colours”.
MQM Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar cried foul and termed it an “undemocratic move”.
Speaking to media, Dr Sattar said, “This is a conspiracy against the people of Sindh, not only those living in urban areas but also in the rural areas”.
The MQM leader demanded the PPP to explain the justification for such a move.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Committee said that the MQM for years had been trying to promote peace between every sect and ethnic group in the province, but by this move the PPP will divide Sindhis and Urdu speaking people. The party termed it a “Sindh dushman” move instead of a “Sindh dosti” move.
The MQM warmed that they will carry out a constitutional and legal and democratic struggle against the move.
Nationalist parties
Sindhi nationalist leaders, who themselves opposed the SPLGO l, see the withdrawal as a mere election manoeuvre from the ruling PPP.
“The PPP has not repealed the law out of love for Sindh but in the greed to get votes in the elections,” said Sindh Taraqi Pasand party’s leader Dr Qadir Magsi.
“They think that by revoking this system the people of Sindh will forget their [PPP] treachery with the motherland. But they won’t succeed in cleaning this stain.”
Nationalist parties consider the local government system a conspiracy to pave the way for the division of the province. They refer to demands like the creation of a Muhajir province to be the actual aim of the local government system.
Meannwhile, Qaumi Awami Tehreek President Ayaz Palijo said that the SPLGA’s withdrawal was simply a gambit to deceive the people of Sindh. “If the PPP wins elections from Sindh again, it will bring back a system like the SPLGA in collusion with the MQM which will ultimately lead to the division of Sindh.”
He told The Express Tribune that while he welcomes the restoration of the 1979 system, “we will not forget that the PPP is a party who conspired against Sindh’s unity.”
Celebrations
However, PPP workers celebrated the party’s decision by taking out a rally and resorting to celebratory aerial firing in Qasimabad.
“The PPP can never make a compromise on Sindh because the people have always entrusted their faith in the party and in the Bhutto family,” said Yameen Soomro, a local party leader, who led the rally.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (22)
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@the Skunk: You are right to some extent, world is advancing with rapid pace and we are still fighting on trivial issues. But Pakistan's basis is 23rd March 1940 resolution, which makes up our country a federation of mainly four beautiful provinces. They opted to become part of this country for better future for their coming generations. We all have to respect our great past, civilization, history, indigenous language and culture. When majority of Sindhi people does not want SPLG system, no one can force them to accept it. We want a fair, people friendly system not the one which is brought by one party to appease another.
@the Skunk: The majority of the rural and urban sindhi population did protest against the SPLGO. It is sad that the Sindhi and Urdu speaking population carries a wide information gap between them. Sad indeed. Regarding SPLGOs legality one should just read about the Supreme courts remarks regarding the system.
game is going to restart, and we people of karachi will suffer
just wait after the election both the parties will merge again "For the sake of democracy"
@ Aysha. ANP has 2 out 161 seats in Sindh. Can you explain how can the next governor be from ANP. Also, it is high time that Punjab, Sindh and KP be sub divided into smaller provinces.
@Omer: they respect the opinion of majority of Sindh province.
@Omer: on what basis can their loyalty be questioned
Politics is always a grubby, dirty business. Can someone please tell me what exactly has the PPP government done for this country as a whole? Aren't you supposed to unify people regardless of ethnicity? What about unity, faith and justice for all?
MQM crying again? Why am I not surprised?
@aysha: :How exacly is anp loyal to sindh?
its a mtach fixing between MQM and ppp.ppp tried to get back its interior sindh votes by withdrawing local body bill.after election both parties will again reunite and again this law will be introduced.
Thank God ET has a new picture of FS after 5 years.
No strike call please.
@Mehran: The majority of rural people of Sindh could not care less about SPLGO. It is only the politicians who cry foul. Any system that alleviates the miseries and privations of the rural citizens, this system will be accepted by them.
@sindhi: It is obvious, that you are unaware of the development and modernization going on in the world and prefer to live in the archaic and antiquated system of commissioners and jirgas. In five years, what have you observed in physical development that benefits the rural / urban population? NOTHING. Holding on to land and not doing anything about it, is criminal. Where has all the money gone? Five years of annual budgeted funds is what is being referred to here. It has gone into VIP protection, cars, aircraft, Special Security Unit for the VIPs. If you call that development, then it is better you go back to school.
It is time the people of Pakistan grow up that start thinking beyond tribal and caste loyalties. Otherwise, when we go overseas and see how far they have progressed, we will only begin ruing our misfortune silently and will not have the courage to talk the TRUTH. WAKE UP. Salams
Election drama.......fooling people to get votes.How sad
good move ppp. I liked the way you played the move.
and they will again make a coalition..what a shame. MQM has lost its credibility and identity and everything...thanks to PPP.
ANP should be given a wider role, after Governor Ibad goes, there should be a governor from ANP, they are part of Sind and should be considered so,
If the PPP has done the move in greed to get votes, the MQM is no different as it has been playing the ethnic card since its inception to get votes. Apart from the better party structure and hierarchy of the MQM, there is no difference between the two as they both engage in immoral activities for political gains.
SPLG Bill was not approved by majority of Sindhi people. Pls check news paper on how people resisted it. That system was launched by one party to appease another party for only political mileage. PPP-MQM had lost historic opportunity to bring a consensus system. A system that serves a common people's interest and one which bridges the gap between urban and rural Sindh is needed. However due to flip-flop politics of both majority parties of Sindh, no serious effort was made to resolve this issue amicably. All permenant resident of Sindh are brothers and we want a LG system which serve masses not political parties alone.
Ppp is trying to play divide and rule..instead of uniting a country these guys are creating casts and provinces..and the people also need to understand that at the end we r all one and casts and languages make no difference
Jiye Altaf Hussain !!