February 07, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 28, 1429

HYDERABAD, Feb 6: The government needs to take every step for ensuring fair, free and transparent elections as the solidarity of the country depends on it, demanded political workers and members of the civil society.

They were speaking during a seminar organised by “Paiman” on “free and transparent elections” at Tando Muhammad Khan, on Tuesday.

MMA’s Hafiz Mohammad Ibrahim Soomro and candidate of NA-222 said the country was passing through a difficult period as Benazir Bhutto’s assassination had jolted the nation.

“Benazir Bhutto was a symbol of unity among federating units and her death has created a vacuum in political arena and increased sense of deprivation among the people of Sindh,” he said and stressed the need on establishing an Islamic society in the country.

The District President of Peoples Lawyers Bureau, Moula Bux Jiskani said the PPP and its leaders had rendered unparallel services for the country and in the cause of downtrodden masses and restoration of democracy.

Contributions of Benazir Bhutto can never be forgotten, he said adding the PPP in future will not hesitate in giving any sacrifice for the welfare of people and restoration of democracy in the country.

This was the reason the PPP decided to take part in general elections although the party was still mourning her death, Jiskani said. He stressed the need for holding general elections in a free, fair and transparent manner in the larger interest of the country and democracy.

Those who spoke on the occasion included District Coordinator Paiman, Ziauddin Shaikh, Saleem Jarwar, Irfan Mughal and others.

DISTRICT COUNCIL: The District Council Tando Mohammad Khan approved the revised budget 2007-08 of the district government, on Wednesday during a meeting. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of convener Pir Ashfaq Jan Sarhandi. The budget was presented by Nazim Mir Inayat Ali Talpur.

District Nazim said district’s total income stood at Rs2.119 billion and expenditure at Rs2.118 billion with a token surplus of Rs25,959.

He said district suffered huge losses during disturbances which erupted after the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto. District Nazim’s and other offices, and hundreds of vehicles were reduced to ashes during the riots, he said and announced Rs200,000 for each UC for furniture and equipment.

He said the lion’s share of the budget was being spent on development schemes and added that an amount of Rs240 million had been allocated under the ADP for development with the increase of ADP by Rs100 million.

He said priority was being given to the education sector and more funds had been allocated to complete the remaining educational schemes of last year. He said on the pattern of other districts, a rescue centre will be set-up with fire tenders and ambulances.

SPLA: Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) held a meeting here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prof Yaqoob Chandio. The meeting protested appointment of Prof Aftab Ahsan Qureshi as the Principal Government Nazareth Girls College Hyderabad in violation of orders of the Election Commission.

It pointed out that the Election Commission of Pakistan had banned postings and transfers throughout the country during the election period yet the Sindh government appointed Prof Aftab Ahsan Qureshi.

It said Prof Qureshi was appointed on contract basis in the Government Girls College Hyderabad from where she was transferred and posted as Principal Nazareth Girls College. It demanded of the Sindh government to cancel forthwith posting of Prof Qureshi.