Gilani rules out division of Sindh

HYDERABAD: Former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said that those who thought that Sindh could be divided with new Local Bodies Bill lived in fool's paradise.

"In presence of 'Jiyalas' - the PPP diehards, it was out of question," he said while addressing the public gathering of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as part of its drive to connect with masses and to support the Sindh Local Bodies Bill, in Hyderabad -the second largest city of the Sindh province.

He said the provincial autonomy and rights had been delegated to the provinces and it was now up to them to decide.

He said his sacrifice for premiership strengthened the state institutions as the Supreme Court also recognized the immunity to the President.

"I believe that my sacrifice did not go in vain," Gilani said referring to the recent letter written by the government to the Swiss Court, which mentioned immunity to the President in accordance with the Constitution and was also approved by the Supreme Court.

Gilani said his decision to remain steadfast and stick to his point of presidential immunity was a source of satisfaction for him.

The former Prime Minister was addressing the public gathering of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as part of its drive to connect with masses and to support the Sindh Local Bodies Bill, in Hyderabad -the second largest city of the Sindh province.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Political Affairs Maula Bux Chandio, Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar joined the former prime minister at the stage. Chief minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh information minister Sharjeel Memon, provincial minister Agha Siraj Durrani, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khoro and a large number of women parliamentarians were also present.

All the leaders in spite of sitting on the chairs, sat down at the mat spread over the stage, thus giving a humble message of expressing solidarity with the audience comprising common people.

The large gathering of people - men and women, old and young, closely packed the vast arena upto its boundaries. The enthusiasts from other parts of the country and adjoining areas especially travelled in form of caravans to attend the public event. The tri-color party flags fluttered and the placards with pictures of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto took dominance of the scene.

Gilani, with traditional Sindhi Ajrak shawl dropped over his shoulders, waved to the people who cheerfully responded to him by chanting slogans of 'Jiye Bhutto' and 'Zinda hai BB zinda hai'.

He said he had come to meet the people of Sindh that is the land of great saints Shahbaz Qalandar and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the two Shaheeds Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said the ideology of Shaheed Bhuttos could not be eliminated from the minds and hearts of people despite attempts by several dictators. He said with sacrifice of their lives, they upheld the cause of fighting for the rights of poor and women.

The former Prime Minister said those lived in fool's paradise who thought that Sindh could be divided with new Local Bodies Bill. He stressed that in presence of 'Jiyalas' - the PPP diehards, it was out of question.

He said the provincial autonomy and rights had been delegated to the provinces and it was now up to them to decide.

Gilani said PPP was a democratic party and would not enforce any law ignoring the mandate given by the masses.

He stressed providing rights to the people and mentioned that had this principle be followed in past, there would have no Dhaka fall.

Gilani recalled that he had attended a public gathering along with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at the same venue. He cherished the moments when the people awaited Benazir to come into power so as to bring change in their lives.

He said restoration of the 1973 Constitution to its original form was a great achievement. He said the PPP government during his tenure introduced Benazir Income Support Program and also re-instated the regular employees who had been sacked by the Nawaz Sharif government.

He criticized Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who was wrongly perceiving the fictional character 'Ali Baba and 40 thieves' and was comparing it with the government. He said instead, Ali Baba was a pious man who had apprehended the thieves.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the power of masses always supported the Bhuttos due to their vision for the uplift of common man. He said today's mammoth rally in support ofnew Local Bodies Bill reflected the success of PPP's vision.

He criticized Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif for trying to misguide people through his statement that the new Bill would result into division of Sindh. He said this would protect the rights of common man.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar ZamanKaira in response to criticism by the Opposition over the performance of the government said the government had braved several challenges since it assumed power in 2008. He mentioned that war onterrorism, constitutional anomalies and shortage of wheat and food were the biggest problems which were amicably resolved.

He said National Finance Commission Award and empowerment ofprovinces were other milestones.

Kaira said the by-election in Punjab, Sindh, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan were won by PPP which was a manifestation of its popularity among the masses.

He said the representatives of Sindh effectively described about the conspiracies against PPP in their province.

He said Bhutto was a great nationalist who wanted a strong and secure Pakistan, adding that PPP would follow his vision.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim said the staunch supporters of PPP would always remain steadfast against any conspiracies and propaganda.

Minister for Political Affairs Maula Bux Chandio said PPP had flourished in the hearts of Pakistanis despite all attempts by dictators against it. He said PPP is a party of martyrs and added that 'martyrs never die'. He said that nobody could divide the Sindh province. Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khoro said the leaders and workers of PPP were never hesitant for any sacrifice for the country and party.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said 'political orphans' always hatched conspiracies against the PPP. He said Sindh would not be left into the hands of money-grabbing mafias.

Sindh Food Minister Qadir Khan Magsi dilated upon the quality vision of PPP which was a source of a strong bond among the people from different parts of the country.

Provincial Minister Agha Siraj Durrani said PPP had developed the administrative system with a dedicated effort of two years and said it would welcome feedback from the masses in this regard. He said those opposing the Sindh Local Bodies Bill had no idea about its effectiveness.

A public resolution was passed in favour of new Local Bodies Bill saying that the people of Sindh completely support it.

Earlier, Fateha was offered for the soul of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Special prayers were offered for the early recovery of Malala Yousufzai. (APP)