A rare visit: Ayaz Latif Palijo, MPA Sania Naz pay Lyari a visit

After the ceasefire between Baba and Uzair, PPP MPA and political rival visit PPP strongholds.

KARACHI: After a ceasefire between the rival Baba Ladla and Uzair Baloch groups in Lyari, Ayaz Latif Palijo of the Qaumi Awami Tahreek and Sania Naz of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) visited on Friday different parts of the neighbourhood considered a stronghold of the PPP. 

The residents, especially women and children, welcomed both the leaders showering them with rose petals. Accompanied by Maulvi Abdul Majeed Sarbazi and Adnan Baloch of Lyari Ittehad Committee and some senior office bearers of elder committees of the area, they visited Bihar Colony, Aath Chowk, Lyari General Hospital and Football Ground areas. A large gathering was organised at Lyari General Hospital.



"The visit is aimed to assure the people of Lyari that they can now freely roam in the area," said Palijo. He said there has been no untoward incident since the agreement was inked between the Baba Ladla and Uzair Baloch groups. "All no-go areas have been removed and people  are now moving from one place to another, without any fear."

The PPP leaders may not be very happy with the fact that their MPA visited Lyari with Palijo, who is a rival of the PPP but no leader was willing to comment on it. Naz, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that the PPP would welcome every step that brings peace in the area.

"After several months, the people of Lyari have seen this peaceful environment and all the credit goes to Palijo Sahab," she said, adding that thousands of people irrespective of their party and ethnic affiliation have welcomed them and appreciated the effort. "A few elements are still trying to hatch conspiracies against the peace agreement, but we will foil it."

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2014.