May 29, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 23, 1429

HYDERABAD, May 28: The Pakistan People’s Party Hyderabad district chapter has accused the DPO of Hyderabad, Najaf Mirza, of patronising criminals and drug dealers.

Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, the acting president of the PPP Hyderabad district chapter, Amanullah Siyal, general secretary Mir Fateh Ali Talpur, and other local leaders alleged that police stations and even police mobiles had become centres of crime after the DPO took charge a month ago.

They said they had gone to meet the DPO in connection with a visit of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah scheduled for June 2, but the DPO did not only refuse to meet them but they were also humiliated in his office.

They said that despite the DPO’s tall claims street crimes were rampant in the city while the mainpuri, ghutka and other narcotics were being sold openly and gambling dens were being run in every street and locality.

“The rate of bribe has increased 10 folds since the new DPO took charge,” they added.

They announced that they had started a protest against the DPO and would take out a big rally on Thursday.

Mr Siyal said he had issued directives to the PPP units in Hyderabad district to hoist black flags on party offices in protest.

Mr Najaf Mirza is a close relative of Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza who is a close friend of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

Answering a question that Zulfiqar Mirza is personal friend of Mr Zardari and if the PPP leadership took action against the PPP Hyderabad body and nominate another body in their place what would be their reaction, they said that they were committed party workers and followers of late Z.A. Bhutto and would protest against such decision.—PPI

Our bureau adds: The PPP Hyderabad district chapter leaders said that the holding of open katchehry by the DPO was just a farce aimed at personal publicity.

They alleged that gangsters and land grabbers were de facto rulers of Hyderabad, who were being patronised by the DPO.

They demanded immediate removal of what they called the anti-people DPO.

PPP ticket holders for the national and provincial assembly seats of Hyderabad district were also present at the press conference.