Remembering a leader: Jeay Sindh Tehreek workers mark GM Syed’s 111th birth anniversary

Seven separate public meetings also held to mark the occasion

HYDERABAD: Thousands of workers of all the factions of Jeay Sindh Tehreek marked the 111th birth anniversary of their late leader GM Syed in Sann, Jamshoro district, on Saturday.

Sindh United Party’s president Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah recalled how Syed united the people of Sindh, who were earlier divided among tribes and clans. “We follow Syed and his way of peaceful political struggle,” said Shah, who is also Syed’s grandson and a former Sindh Assembly speaker.

Shah blamed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for reneging on its promises. “We formed an election coalition with the PML-N on seven points, which included complete autonomy, followed by real steps to curb corruption.” He regretted that none of the pledges were fulfilled.



The SUP leader disapproved of the 21st constitutional amendment arguing that the legislation is tantamount to creating a parallel judicial system in the country. “The people will get punished under this system but they will not get justice.” He demanded a renewed National Finance Commission (NFC) award after a population census in Sindh.

The former chief minister, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led provincial government of exploiting the provincial autonomy secured through the 18th Amendment. He blamed PML-Functional leader Imtiaz Shaikh for the failure of the 10-party alliance in Sindh ahead of the 2013 elections. “We will have to form a formidable alliance of several political parties in Sindh,” he said. “No party alone can present itself as an alternative to the PPP.”

Qaumi Awami Tehreek’s leader Qadir Ranto said the people of Sindh mounted a united struggle against the divisive local government system in 2012. “We now need to translate this unity into an electoral base,” he said. Meanwhile, seven separate public meetings were also held to mark the occasion. Addressing Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz’s (JSQM) public meeting, the party’s young chairperson, Sanan Qureshi, reiterated his resolve to continue to struggle until the independence of Sindh. JSQM’s vice-chairperson Dr Niaz Kalani said his party also believes in non-violent political struggle and religious harmony.

“Syed also believed in peaceful struggle and religious harmony not only for Sindh but for the entire world,” said JSQM general secretary Amjad Mahesar. He pointed out that the party is carrying forward the legacy of the late Bashir Qureshi of resolving tribal clashes and vendettas in rural Sindh.

Safdar Sarki, the self-exiled leader of his Jeay Sindh Tehreek faction, said the followers of Syed will offer sacrifices and languish in prisons but remain non-violent to pursue their aim.

Jeay Sindh Mahaz’s leader Riaz Chandio announced that they will hold protest rallies in Karachi and other districts on February 14 to demand the expulsion of illegal immigrants and against religious extremism. He alleged that the provincial government is deliberately destroying the agricultural economy, which will plunge rural Sindh into grinding poverty.

Shafi Burfat, the fugitive leader of the banned Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, said the struggle for independence cannot be suppressed through coercive measures. In his telephonic speech, he asked the workers to observe hunger strikes against military courts.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2015.