KARACHI: MQM leader Altaf Hussain has demanded of the government to conduct census in the country under army supervision without delay and fresh delimitation before the upcoming local government election in the province.
“I want to ask why census is being delayed. This exercise should start as soon as possible to acquire and record information about population,” he said adding that no effort has been made to hold census since the last headcount of 1998.
“After the census everyone will have a clear idea about the demography of the Sindh province,” he said, pointing towards the issue of urban populace of Sindh, who according to him, “have been neglected by successive governments.”
MQM chief criticised the PPP government on conducting the politically motivated delimitation of union councils which have now been declared null and void and demanded election commission to start fresh delimitation before upcoming local government election.
“I don’t know why Sindh government wants to retain the colonial local government system by executing it under the command of bureaucracy rather than elected representatives,” he said.
Appeal to army chief
Altaf Hussain appealed to the chief of army staff to take notice of the prevailing situation. “Our workers are under stress in many rural areas. Supporters of some political parties are threatening them because of their affiliations with MQM. School-going children are being expelled from their schools because of their parents’ affiliation with our party. I appeal to the chief of army staff, corps commander Karachi, DG Rangers, MI and ISI heads to take notice of this situation and play their role to stop this practice against us; otherwise it will entail strong reaction that may lead to a war-like situation,” he said.
The MQM chief was of the view that if the situation spirals out of control in Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Benazirabad, his party workers would jump in to rescue their people and protect their lives and properties.
“A spark can trigger a war,” he said commenting on the volatility in Sindh. “I always ask my workers to show patience. But they can no longer be hushed, especially in this situation.”
Sindh One, Sindh Two
Regarding the new units, he gave another idea about Sindh One and Sindh Two and said that no government can deprive the largest urban population of their genuine right.
Altaf called for restraint on the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. “MQM workers and leaders should avoid making Khurshid Shah’s derogatory remarks so complex and resolve the issue amicably. Shah has now tendered an apology. I ask him to tender apology to God as well,” he said.
Responding to a question, he said that army can impose martial law in the country and it does not need permission for it.
Regarding division of Sindh, MQM leader maintained that Sindh is already divided and its ample example can be taken from urban and rural division created by PPP government in 1973 under quota system.
“We demand to create 20 new units in all provinces. After the creation of a new province in Sindh, the resources should be distributed under 60-40 formula for rural and urban area (Sindh One and Sindh Two),” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2014.
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