January 28, 2008	Monday	Muharram 18, 1429

THATTA, Jan 27: Pakistan People’s Party leader Sassui Palijo told European Union’s election observers on Sunday that the elections would not be fair and transparent unless the incumbent nazims of district and union councils were made neutral. Briefing two members of the team of long-term EU observers, Janno Simm and Gesa Schoeneberg who, as part of their job, were meeting political leaders and government officials, Ms Palijo cited Thatta as an example.

Thatta District Nazim Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi and his elder brother, caretaker provincial minister Aijaz Ali Shah Shirazi, had fielded their sons and nephews for seven seats of national and provincial assemblies, she said.

Thatta DCO was a close relative of political manager of the Shirazis who had used their influence to get DPOs transferred within a space of two months, she said.

She said that the entire state machinery was at the disposal of the Shirazis, who she alleged were abusing the authority to ensure success of their candidates.

She also alleged that Pakistan Muslim League was attempting to create a divide among electorate on ethnic lines in order to stabilise its position in the coastal district, which had mixed population.

Ms Palijo, who is also her party’s candidate for PS-185, charged that Shoukat Niazi, under directives of PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, was creating hatred among non-Sindhi localities against Sindhis.

She said that she had always tried to create a congenial atmosphere among people of her constituency while the PML and Shirazi group were playing with fire by indulging in a politics of hatred.

Ms Palijo described implication of over 125,000 people including children and the blind in false cases, nomination in FIRs of 3,000 PPP activists including candidates in false cases of loot, arson, destruction of private and public property, denial of voters lists to PPP candidates and reshuffling in administration in violation of Election Commission’s directives, as pre-poll rigging and violations of human rights.