LARKANA, Nov 9: Sindh National Front chairman Mumtaz Ali Bhutto has said a new alliance of nationalist parties of Sindh will be formed within three weeks which will work to protect geographical, economic, political and cultural rights of the province.

He was speaking at a press conference after presiding over a meeting of different nationalist parties at his residence here on Wednesday.

He said an advisory committee, headed by Ibrahim Joyo, would finalize recommendations keeping in the objectives in two weeks which would then be placed before heads of parties concerned and given a final shape in three to four days.

Mr Bhutto said that soon after the recommendations, including the name of the alliance, were approved, the date of launching the alliance would be announced.

He said Sindh was passing through crisis. He said Sindh’s agriculture land, water and other resources were being looted and employment opportunities in the province were being offered to outsiders.

When asked why a new alliance was being formed in presence of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement, he said: “The new alliance will not be in clash with Ponm and even after formation of this alliance, we will sit in Ponm.” He said Balochs had formed an alliance for their rights and they were also sitting in Ponm. He said Ponm had a wider spectrum.

He said he was not power hungry, adding that he had told participants of the meeting that he would not head the alliance.

When asked would there be any room for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the alliance, he said no.

When asked would the alliance launch a struggle for Sindh’s rights by remaining within the framework of the 1973 Constitution, he replied in negative and said: “We need a new constitution.”

Answering another question, Mr Bhutto said participants of the meeting were of the view that the Khokhrapar route should not be opened.

He did not rule out contacting Rasool Bux Palijo and other nationalist parties once modalities for the new alliance were finalized.

On this occasion, Abdul Jabbar Hakiro, a brother of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz leader Abdul Sattar Hakiro, accused agencies of picking up his brother and not disclosing his whereabouts. He appealed to nationalist leaders to come to his help.

Mr Bhutto demanded that the arrest of Sattar Hakiro should be shown and if any case was pending against him, he should be produced in the court.

Earlier, the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Jeay Sindh Mahaz, Sindh Democratic Party and the Sindh National Council attended the meeting. The meeting unanimously recognized the progressive council of intellectuals as a member of the new alliance.