March 02, 2008	Sunday	Safar 23, 1429

HYDERABAD, March 1: The central committee of the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party has described the Pakistan People’s Party’s holding talks with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) at the party’s headquarter as an insult to people’s mandate. The committee cautioned at the conclusion of a two-day session on Friday night that if the PPP made MQM part of the government despite massive mandate the consequences would be disastrous.

The meeting said that people had proved by rejecting the dictatorship and its allies that they were quite capable of taking correct decisions. After crushing defeat to Musharraf and his allies and rejection of his policies, the retired general had forfeited the right to remain in power, the meeting said and advised him to resign from his post immediately.

The meeting hoped that the coalition government of PPP, PML-N and ANP would reinstate judges, restore the supremacy of parliament and constitution, free press, make judiciary independent and strengthen democracy and democratic institutions.

The meeting demanded that full autonomy for the provinces, judicious distribution of resources and water, cancellation of controversial water projects including Kalabagh Dam, an end to army operation in Balochistan and effective measures for eliminating price hike, unemployment and poverty.

PRESS CONFERENCE: The president of the Sindh chapter of Tehrik Taqmeel-i-Pakistan Mehfoozun Nabi Khan has hailed agreement between PPP, PML-N and ANP upon forming a coalition government and hoped the ongoing talks between PPP and MQM will also prove fruitful.

He said at a news conference at the press club on Friday, which coincided with the party’s 22nd founding day that it was very shameful that Pakistan was dependent on foreign aid even after 60 years to its independence.