July 5, 2003	Saturday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 4,1424

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LARKANA, July 4: Sindh Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal president MNA Assadullah Bhutto has criticized the Sindh governor for interfering in the chief minister’s affairs and demanded his removal.

Speaking at a press conference at the Jamaat-i-Islami office here on Wednesday night, he said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had made the Sindh government a hostage and the chief minister had no powers.

About the Thal Canal project, Mr Bhutto said the Sindh government had failed to implement the unanimously adopted resolution of the Sindh Assembly against the canal construction. He deplored that the federal government had ignored the resolution and slammed the Sindh chief minister for maintaining silence over the issue.

He said the Thal canal would irrigate lands of army generals and render the land of Sindh barren. He said the issue should be resolved on the floor of the National Assembly. He said the National Accountability Bureau should register cases against those who had okayed the project.

Mr Bhutto said the MMA would stage protest rallies throughout Sindh against the Thal canal construction on July 16.

He also condemned the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

About the Legal Framework Order, the MNA said his party was protesting against the LFO for it had given all the powers to the president and threatened the supremacy of parliament. He said the MMA would not accept a president in uniform.

Commenting on President Gen Musharraf’s US visit, Mr Bhutto said the MMA would not allow the president to recognize Israel. He also opposed sending troops to Iraq.

Referring to the disqualification of party MNA Mufti Ibrar Hussain, he said it was a premeditated verdict.