HAFEEZ SHAIKH

HYDERABAD - The ruling Pakistan People’s Party is all set to hold a mass gathering in Hyderabad today in support of the Sindh Peoples Local Government Act (SPLGA) enforced in the province by setting aside grievances of nationalist groups.
To show its full political strength in Hyderabad, the hub of nationalist politics, the PPP’s leadership is busy mobilizing party activists by setting up welcome camps across the province for today’s gathering. Security has been beefed up at residences of PPP MPAs and ministers across the province following attacks on their homes. Strikes and violent protests erupted in Sindh against the new local government ordinance which has drawn anger from Sindh nationalist parties which described it as conspiracy to divide Sindh.
The PPP leadership is resolute to hold a huge meeting, vowing a befitting reply to opponents if hurdles were put.  Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah visited the rally venue on Saturday to review the arrangements.
He stated that the local body ordinance was passed with full majority in the house, adding that the opinion of the majority was considered in a democratic system.
Shah said that Khairpur had never witnessed such barbaric incident in the history and vowed that the sacrifices of the party workers died in the attack would not go ashtray. He said that he criminals would be dealt according to the law and would be taken to their deserved fatal.
He also visited the residence of MPA Imdad Pitafi late on Saturday night to show solidarity with him and assured full support on behalf of the PPP and his government. Some unidentified men had attacked the residence of PPP-MPA Imdad Pitafi in Hyderabad last week.
The CM said that no one could frighten the leaders and workers of the PPP. “Over the last 45 years of our political struggle, we have faced dictatorships and rendered all kind of sacrifices to protect the rights of the people especially the depressed ones and for their socio-economic uplift,” he said adding that no one should bother to teach the PPP how to safeguard the rights of Sindh because it had been doing the same since the day the party was created.
“The opponents are afraid of the deep love and following the PPP has among the people of Sindh,” he said.
The CM was accompanied by the provincial ministers Aga Siraj Durrani, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Ayaz Soomro, Zahid Bhurgari, MNA Shagufta Jumani and other PPP leaders.