HYDERABAD: Activists of the Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) took out a rally here on Wednesday against influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into Sindh in the wake of the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan.

Raising slogans against provincial government for allowing entry and settlement of IDPs in Sindh, they marched from SP Chowk to the local press club, where, STP leaders Dr Rajab Ali Memon, Dr Hameed Memon, Dr Soomar Mangrio, Moh­am­mad Sualeh Junejo and others spoke to them.

They called for proper arrangements for the care and rehabilitation of IDPs at safer places within the troubled region but opposed their settlement in Sindh, saying that this would not only be a huge burden on the provincial economy but also lead to an increase in criminal and terrorist activities.

They feared that IDPs having no livelihood would be indulging in criminal activities.

They also criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami which, they claimed, wanted Sindh’s borders opened to the IDPs.

They also apprehended that the displaced families would settle in the province permanently once they were allowed to stay here.

“Around four million illegal immigrants from Myan­mar, Bangladesh, Indian and some other countries have already settled in Sindh and some other parts of the country after obtaining CNICs for Rs500 each,” they claimed.

Badin

STP activists also took out rallies and held sit-ins in Matli, Rajo Khanani, Khor­wah, Serrani, Kadhan and Kario Ghanwar towns.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2014