January 28, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 27, 1426

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THATTA, Jan 27: Hundreds of activists of the Pakistan People’s Party, PPP, took out a procession to protest against the issuance of red notices by Interpol against former premier Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari, construction of dams on the Indus, US air strikes on Bajaur Agency, army operation in Balochistan and announcement of what they called an unjust formula for resource distribution.

The activists also staged a sit-in on the National Highway resulting in suspension of vehicular traffic for about two hours.

Led by the People’s Party Parliamentarians MPA, Sassui Palijo, the protesters, holding party flags and banners and raising slogans, marched on the main thoroughfare, which later converged at the Thatta Press Club and blocked the National Highway.

Speaking to the participants, Ms Palijo said the dictatorial, undemocratic and non-representative form of governance has badly shattered the fabric of the political structure and ruined the socio-economic and political order of the country. The system, virtually being governed by an autocrat, has given nothing but ad-hocism, temporary and politically ill policies bringing the country on the brink of disaster.

Announcement of Ms Benazir Bhutto to return to the country soon has unnerved the rulers who adopted dirty tactics such as issuance of red notices through Interpol which, she added, would not deter her to return to home and serve the masses.

Criticizing the NFC award formula, Ms Palijo said while Article 160 of the Constitution empowers the president to make suitable amendments to the award after recommendation by the National Finance Commission, it does not authorize him to announce a full award on his own.

Commenting on the construction of dams on the Indus, Sassui contended that by imposing his will on the masses decisions, Gen Pervez Musharraf was creating hatred among the federating units and by depriving the oppressed nationalities of constituent units including Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP, the General was evolving a situation resembling the former East Pakistan prior to its separation.