SHEIKHUPURA, April 30: The alliance between Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto is a good omen for democracy, solidarity and prosperity in the country. The PML-N’s Punjab chief Sardar Zulfiqar Ahmed Khosa said this at a workers’ convention held here on Sunday.

He said politicians like Javaid Hashmi, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Zaeem Hussain Qadri and Yousaf Raza Gillani were put behind the bars to pressure them to change their loyalties with their respective parties in favour of the rulers. He lauded these leaders for not bowing before the dictatorial regime to uphold the cause of democracy.

Mr Khosa held the government responsible for lawlessness, poverty and unemployment in the country.

He urged the people to unite under the ARD banner to counter the challenges being faced by the country due to the ‘wrong policies’ of the rulers.

On the occasion, Memona Hashmi, Berjees Tahir, Bilal Yasin Rana Tanveer, Haji Nawaz, Afzal Sultan, and others also spoke.

The speakers demanded release of the detained politicians, and vowed to continue their struggle till the end of Gen Musharraf’s rule.

Baitul Maal office: The performance of district Baitul Maal office was criticised at a meeting held here on Saturday.

At the meeting, Maulana Maqbool Ahmad, Maulana Yaqoob Ahmad Rizvi, and Maulana Yousaf Sialvi alleged that scores of deserving people who had applied for financial assistance to the office were not being provided relief.

They alleged that thousands of applications seeking Baitul Maal grants for marriage, scholarship, medicines, education and other purposes were lying pending in the office.

They alleged that only the people enjoying support of some local politicians were being provided funds by the office, while many deserving and needy people were being neglected.

Accusing the district Baitul Maal chairman and his staff of playing in the hands of politicians, they said their attitude had rendered the service ineffective as it was no more supporting the deserving people.

An impartial person, having no political considerations should be appointed as chairman, they demanded.

District Baitul Maal chairman, denying the allegations, said paucity of funds was affecting the office’s performance and added that a request had already been sent to the central Baitul Maal office for an enhanced grant.