April 9, 2006	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1427

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HYDERABAD, April 8: Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Makhdoom Jamiluzzaman has demanded withdrawal of the cases filed against Benazir Bhutto and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and said their return to the country was in the larger interest of the nation.

Speaking at a news conference at the Hyderabad Press Club on Saturday, he expressed concern over the political situation of the country with a particular reference to Sindh.

The deputy leader of the opposition described siege to the houses of Ataullah Mengal and Akhtar Mengal as not only violation to the human rights, but also to the law.

Mr Jamiluzzaman condemned the detention of Dr Safdar Sarki, general secretary of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, without his production in the court.

Criticising the Sindh government, he said he had moved a resolution in the assembly against the demolition of Sindhi villages and katchi abadis, which had been adopted by the house. But the rulers were violating it.

He rejected the argument of the Sindh government and the chief minister that Jumma Goth and other settlements were illegal. “How can 100 or 50 years old villages or settlements be termed illegal?” he argued.

He demanded regularisation of all old villages and katchi abadis and ownership rights for the residents.

He warned the government of serious consequences if the demography of Thatta district was disturbed. He said the government was planning to separate coastal area from the rest of the district, which would not be acceptable.

The step would create a gulf between the rural and urban population, he said and added that the government was pushing the people towards civil war.

The scion of the Makhdoom family alleged that the food department was not supplying gunny bags to the wheat growers of Hala.

He claimed that when he had made inquiries in this regard, he had been told that no gunny bags would be supplied to the PPP dominated areas.