August 09, 2008	Saturday	Sha’aban 6, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 8: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said on Friday that a session of the Sindh assembly was being summoned on Aug 12 or 13 to take up a resolution calling upon President Pervez Musharraf to seek a vote of confidence from assemblies in accordance with his commitment to the Supreme Court.

Addressing a news conference at the CM House here, Mr Shah endorsed the decision of the coalition leaders to impeach President Musharraf.

Terming it a correct and timely decision, he said the country was at a crossroad and the decision would play an important role in resolving the constitutional, legal, social, political and economical issues.

“We are not taking any dictatorial step, but fulfilling a constitutional requirement as the president had not taken vote of confidence from the newly elected assemblies,” he said, adding that coalition partners were of the unanimous view that the president should be provided an opportunity to take a vote of confidence.

The chief minister said he was confident that all political parties would support the PPP in the discharge of the constitutional obligations because all of them wanted to see democracy strengthened.

He said his government was in touch with its coalition partners, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and expressed the hope that they would cooperate with the government.

Senior Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq had held meetings with MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, he added.

“There is a core committee comprising senior leaders of both the parties which discusses important issues and will also discuss this issue,” he said, adding that the PPP and MQM were in contact at provincial and federal levels.

The chief minister said the impeachment decision would help dispel perception about an atmosphere of uncertainty in the country.

Mr Shah said PPP had always raised voice for people’s causes whether it was the issue of Kalabagh dam, water distribution or NFC award.

He said the coalition partners should help the government to send a message to the world that the country’s political parties were united in their efforts to resolve various issues.

Answering a question about the role of Makhdoom Jamil-uz-Zaman, Mr Shah said that three days ago he had asked for 15-day leave. “He is a member of the cabinet and has always cooperated with us.”