04 September 2004	Saturday	18 Rajab 1425

KARACHI, Sept 3: Leader of the opposition in Sindh Assembly, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, who is also the president of PPP Sindh chapter, has said that their party requisitioned the session as they wanted to bring in discussion many pressing issues from trampling of the sanctity of ballot to worsening law and order situation.

Addressing a press conference in his chamber after Friday's session was adjourned till Monday, Mr Khuhro flanked by Nasrullah Shaji and Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman said that they had submitted different motions, including the adjournment motion pertaining to the by-election of Thar NA 229, as Chief Minister Arbab Rahim in a bid to get his position confirmed went out of way to harass the voters of the opposition candidate.

He said that the chief minister had also claimed that he would not allow outsiders to sit as polling agents despite that no law put up such restriction. Besides, he said that their party activists including MPAs were harassed and kept in habeas corpus on Aug 16 whose details would soon be given in the House.

Referring to law and order situation, Mr Khuhro said that the issue of kidnapping of Santosh Kumar was not yet solved due to indifferent attitude of government despite over two months amidst reports about involvement of some ministers.

He said that 14-year-old student, Kapil Dev, was kidnapped and hardly any progress had been made by police in this regard. Kapil's family had to come to Karachi for security reasons, he said, adding that a feeling of insecurity and a sense of deprivation was being developed among minorities.

Likewise, he said, a dacoity was committed in electronic market when Gen Musharraf was in the city. He said that the dacoits remained in the market from 11.30pm to 5am, and took away electronic items in two containers. Moreover, he said that the situation was so grave that some dacoits in police uniform snatched Rs15 million from the guards of a money changer by stopping their van.

He also referred to the burning incident of two persons in Gizri lock-up, and said that the growing incidents were reflecting wrong policies of the government.Mr Khuhro said that distribution of water was another important issue, which had not been addressed so far.

The water was not released according to 1991 accord nor on historical grounds despite availability of water in dams resulting in major damages to crops. Despite ban on recruitment, he said that the education department had called for application for the post of teachers on the forms which were sold for Rs100 each and millions of rupees were collected.

Over 700 lecturers were selected by the Sindh Public Service Commission who were issued letters of offer but with the change of minister, the offers were withdrawn claiming discrepancies in the recruitment.

Mr Khuhro said if there were lapses and corrupt practices in the education department why youths were being penalized by depriving them from jobs. He also referred to the resolution adopted on registration of aliens in Sindh.

He said the province did not have resources to accommodate over three million aliens about whom former governor Moinuddin Haider had said that camps would be set up. He said that instead of sending them back, a resolution was adopted for their registration.