April 01, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1429

HYDERABAD, March 31: Sindh’s chief minister designate Syed Qaim Ali Shah said on Monday that the future provincial government and the assembly would certainly review the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, which the former chief minister used to bifurcate a number of districts with the objective of weakening PPP strongholds.

Mr Shah said at a press conference at the press club that there was a world of difference between politics and criminal offence and the May 12 carnage, which was obviously a criminal offence, would certainly be investigated.

But, he hastened to add, the crisis was so complicated and deep-rooted that it would take some time to resolve. The prime minister had already announced a relief package in his first speech, which would be enforced in letter and spirit, he said.

He said that the Pakistan People’s Party had the courage, political will and people’s support to enforce the programme of late Benazir Bhutto. Z.A. Bhutto, too, had been passed on a host of problems as legacy of Martial Law government but succeeded in solving many of the problems by sheer courage and sincerity with purpose, he said.

He said that late Benazir Bhutto had announced a five-point programme defined by five “Es” and employment was on top it. The prime minister had already highlighted the problem and his government’s steps to solve it, he said.

Mr Shah said that Benazir Bhutto had vowed to bring together all the democratic forces and her desire had turned into a reality at the federal level where a consensus government had been formed thanks to sincere efforts by PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

To a question he said that the PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had talked to MQM chief Altaf Hussain on two occasions but expressed his ignorance of the details.

He said that the future setup in the province would be decided by party high command. Law and order situation in the province, especially in Karachi, had deteriorated and he was determined to restore rule of law and writ of government with the support of masses, he said.

About water issue, Mr Shah said that the 1991 water accord would be improved further and supported construction of small reservoirs to increase water storage capacity.

He made it clear that party manifesto did not make any mention of Kalabagh or other big dams and said the lower riparian had the first right over water. All the brothers would be persuaded to accept this principle, he said.

Mr Shah said that Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim had divided many districts into parts with one single objective in mind - to destroy the vote bank of PPP. The matter would certainly be reviewed by the elected representatives of people, he said.

About the energy crisis, he said that the PPP government planned to bring energy crisis under control within minimum possible time. The investors were just waiting for a signal to go ahead and set up power plants, he remarked.

He said in answer to a question about May 12 tragedy that a criminal offence had nothing to do with politics. PPP lost many of its activists to the tragedy and the party was answerable to its martyrs, he said.

When he was informed about the attack on a police head constable, Hassan Ali Solangi, allegedly by PPP activists, Mr Shah said that no one would be spared if he was found guilty of any crime. He said that he would visit Solangi in the hospital and announce compensation for him on behalf of PPP. No amount of compensation can be suffice for a man whose both hands had been amputated.

Earlier, a large number of PPP activists brought Mr Shah to the press club in a procession. They lit fireworks and danced.