KARACHI, March 3: Sindh Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Irfanullah Khan Marwat said on Saturday that he had delivered invitations to all the opposition parties to participate in the All Parties Conference on provincial autonomy, being convened by Sindh government on March 7, 2007.

He said those who have been invited include Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh President Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah of Sindh United Party, Jamiat Ulema Islam leader Senator Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro, Awami National Party leader Shahi Syed and Rasool Bux Palijo of Awami Tehrik from Hyderabad.

An invitation would also be extended to Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, he added.

Mr Marwat said for the first time in Pakistan’s history, a government had invited all parties to discuss crucial issues of Sindh. He said the government was keen in resolving the reservations of all parties for the betterment of the people in the province.

The minister said the APC was being convened so that the government could play its due role in resolving the issues of Sindh because the federal and Sindh governments were sincere in serving the people. “Now, it is the moral duty of all parties to attend the APC and give suggestions so that they could be included in the proposed bill,” he added. Mr Marwat urged the leaders of all parties to participate in the APC.

Meanwhile, Sindh Inter-provincial Coordination Minister Dr Sohrab Sarki, called on Sindh National Party chief Amir Bhambharo to invite him to participate in the conference being organised by the Sindh government on provincial autonomy being held on March 7.

While talking to the minister, Sindh National Party chief Amir Bhambharo said that by giving autonomy to the provinces the country would become stronger and it would also bring an end to the tug of war between the provinces and the centre.—Staff Reporter