July 08, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 22, 1428

KHAIRPUR, July 7: Sindh People’s Party Parliamentarians President Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said waderas and sardars of the province have always supported anti-Sindh projects and they are still doing so.

Speaking at a public gathering here on Friday evening, he said that despite the policy of victimisation of Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Mahar sardars, the people of Sindh were still with the PPP.

About the Lal Masjid situation, Mr Shah said the issue had been created by the government to divert the people’s attention from real issues confronting

the country, like unemployment, price hike, judicial

crisis, freedom of press, political crisis and the widespread devastation caused by rains and floods.

He said that during the tenure of Gen Pervez Musharraf, religious extremism and Talibanisation had increased.

The PPP leader said the Sindh chief minister had announced only Rs2 million for the people affected by rains. He said no arrangements had been made for the victims and even drinking water was not available.

Referring to a visit to the Qambar-Shahdadkot district by the chief minister, PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and other leaders, he said it was a “photo session”.

MNA Khurshid Shah said that because of the Lal Masjid operation, the country’s economy would suffer because foreign investors would stay away from the country.

Nisar Khuhro, Jam Saifullah Dharejo and other party leaders also spoke at the gathering.

Demonstration

Activists of labour organisations took out a procession from Phool Bagh on Saturday in protest against the kidnapping of district officer elementary (female) Ms Qamar Jehan Pathan.

They were led by Malook Khoso, president of the United Staff Organisation, Radio Pakistan, Khairpur, and Feroze Phulpoto, a leader of the Muttahida Mazdoor Federation.

The protesters raised slogans against the Sukkur police and the district administration. After marching through different roads of the city, they gathered outside the press club.

Speaking on the occasion, Malook Khoso, Feroze Phulpoto and Zawar Mohib said the district officer had been kidnapped from Sukkur on June 23, but no efforts had been made to recover her. They alleged that police were involved in the kidnapping.