KARACHI, July 3: Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on Sunday that people of Sindh were justified in demanding more facilities and the government would ensure equal share for them in all fields to end the sense of deprivation among them.
Talking to editors of Sindhi language newspapers and owners of Sindhi television channels at a luncheon at the Chief Minister’s House, he said the government had decided to give a comprehensive package to Sindh on the recommendations of a high-powered committee constituted on the lines of Balochistan.
“I have been receiving reports on the socio-economic problems of the interior of this province and I categorically state that people of Sindh will never be neglected in any sector,” he said.
The PML chief said the package announced to resolve the problems of Balochistan’s people was bearing positive results. He expressed the hope that the Baloch would get their rights in due course. He said efforts would be made under the package for development of the poor.
In reply to a question, he said recommendations had been submitted to the government supporting multiple criteria for distribution of resources among the provinces under the National Finance Commission award, including population, backwardness and the scope for development.
He said the government would look into complaints that Sindhi newspapers were neglected while releasing advertisements and a fair policy would be adopted.
He said Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim represented the PML in the province and the central party leaders would soon undertake detailed visits of interior Sindh.
PML Secretary-General Senator Mushahid Hussain said: “The PML government wants to develop a political and democratic culture in the country to resolve the issue of provincial autonomy and expedite the development process.”
He claimed that the Balochistan issue had been resolved through political dialogue.
He offered every possible help of the government for development of Sindhi language.
The chief minister announced that a meeting would soon be held to resolve provincial issues, including release of government advertisements to Sindhi newspapers.—PPI
Our Staff Reporter adds: Talking to party workers who welcomed him at the Jinnah Terminal on Sunday, the PML chief asked them to prepare to contest the coming local body elections.
He said all the differences in the party had been removed with its reorganization and the enthusiasm among workers, particularly the youth wing, showed that it was striving to become a mass organization in the province, specially Karachi. He said the PML would contest the local government elections in cooperation with its coalition partners and hopefully emerge victorious.
Mr Hussain was brought in a procession from the airport to the PML Karachi division office.
The PML chief is likely to meet leaders of likeminded parties to chalk out a strategy for fielding joint candidates in the local body elections, it is learnt.
