LAHORE, Dec 26: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) claimed on Thursday that nine cases were pending against Ishratul Ibad, the governor-designate for Sindh, disputing the veracity of the federal government’s assertion that he was not wanted in any case.

ARD deputy information secretary Munir Ahmad Khan said at a news conference that FIRs No 416/92, 528/92 and others registered with North Nazimabad and Khwaja Ajmernagri and other police stations of Karachi would substantiate the allegation that the man nominated for the top office of Sindh was involved in criminal cases.

He said Mr Ibad was also among the people whose extradition had been sought by the Pakistan government from the British government because of his alleged involvement in criminal cases.

The ARD leader said the MQM, of which Mr Ibad was the nominee for governor, was an organization which did not believe in the 1973 Constitution, and thus the integrity of the country. The party’s election manifesto could be seen to confirm that it demanded a new constitution and provincial autonomy in line with the 1940 Lahore Resolution.

He said it was ironic that the MQM had been made a coalition partner, ignoring its thinking about the integrity of the country.

Mr Khan recalled that the MQM had parted ways with the ARD only because the alliance was not willing to stay in company with a party which was opposed to the 1973 Constitution.

The ARD leader demanded that Mr Ibad should not be made the constitutional head of the sensitive province of Sindh just for political expediency.

In case the authorities went ahead, he warned, the consequences would be disastrous for the unity of the country. Thousands of cases pending against the MQM leaders and workers would be withdrawn and the menace of extortion would spread manifold.

Munir Khan said some 13,831 murder cases were registered against various MQM leaders during the past 13 years. All of them were pending, though the regime would have to take them back to keep the ethnic organization in the coalition.

He demanded withdrawal of all cases against former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and permission for them to return to the country. Also, he said, the scourge of switching loyalties should be discouraged in the larger national interest.