July 04, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 29, 1429

KARACHI, July 3: In an attempt to dispel the impression of any internal party differences over policy matters, Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was united under the leadership of its co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and determined to achieve the goals that had been set by its late leader, Benazir Bhutto.

Without making particular reference to Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s statement regarding the sidelining of the old guards in the party, she said that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto had come as an unbearable shock and everyone was reacting to it in a different manner.

She said that it was really difficult for the party workers to overcome the shock and join hands to strengthen the party, the province and the government.

The information minister was speaking at a press conference at the New Sindh Secretariat on Thursday. She said that people actually wanted relief, food, and shelter and they were not interested in the politics of controversy.

When her attention was drawn towards the meeting of Makhdoom Amin Fahim with Mumtaz Ali Bhutto at the residence of Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, she said it was his personal matter and there was no bar on such courtesy calls.

The minister said that Makhdoom Fahim was the senior vice-chairman of the party, and a great asset to the party who had worked with late Benazir Bhutto, as such he commanded due respect and party workers looked towards him for guidance.

However, she added, the party was going through a crucial phase as the government had hardly completed a few months and therefore such personalities were required to encourage the government and extend cooperation to the coalition.

The provincial minister said confidently that all these loyal party workers would be on the forefront in times of distress.

She said that it was the second visit of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to Sindh after the formation of the government a few months back.

The minister pointed out that on Wednesday (July 2), the prime minister gave an assurance that all the constitutional obligations would be met in the upcoming NFC award.

Similarly, the issue of provincial autonomy would also be addressed according to the wishes of the people, she said.

The prime minister also assured all-out cooperation in the implementation of Thar coal power project, which was one of the biggest projects in Sindh and with its implementation, not only the province but the entire country would benefit from it, she said.

In reply to another question, she said that the party was continuously in touch with the Pakistan Muslim League -N at every level from the federal to the provincial.