HYDERABAD: Former Punjab governor and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, has said that investigation must be conducted into Saulat Mirza’s startling revelations about the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

He said that all political parties should disband their militant wings and expressed regret that it was a matter of great concern that the country’s criminal justice system had failed to dispense justice.

He was speaking at the annual meeting of Anjuman Arain Sindh at Gulshan-i-Zealpak late on Sunday night where the gathering unanimously made him head of Arain community by presenting him a turban which was traditionally worn by tribal chieftains.

Editorial: Saulat Mirza’s ‘confession’

Mr Sarwar said that criminal justice system needed to be improved. The ongoing military operation had largely crushed terrorists and broken their backbone. In the like manner, the nagging problems of joblessness and corruption could also be resolved in a spirit of national unity, he said.

There was no dearth of resources and talent in the country which only needed able leadership and good governance to leap forward and prove itself, he said.

Quaid-i-Azam, he said, had a vision of Pakistan where justice would be served to all people regardless of their colour, creed and race and people would live in complete harmony and tranquility but unfortunately his lofty dreams still remained unfulfilled.

Intolerance was spreading its tentacles in Pakistani society while in reality Islam had nothing to do with such behavior, he said.

Mr Sarwar said that Arain community had rendered tremendous sacrifices for the progress and protection of the homeland and its members were serving the society in an outstanding manner in different fields.

KARACHI: Speaking at a press conference at the residence of a PTI leader in Karachi on Monday, Mr Sarwar said that both the major political parties had contributed to destruction of state institutions by political intervention and nepotism.

He called for disbanding armed wings in political and religious parties and said if there was any criminal in the PTI’s ranks, action should be taken against him immediately.

He said that their party had a strong vote bank across the country including Sindh and hoped the PTI would be able to form a government in the country in next elections.

About the judicial commission, he said the commission had been formed according to the law and the constitution. Even when he was governor of Punjab he was of the view that the government should itself constitute the commission to probe rigging charges, he said.

Answering a question, he said if the federal or Azad Kashmir governments made attempts to intervene in by-elections in the state, his party would stage a strong protest.

Mr Sarwar accused the governments of Azad Kashmir and centre of colluding to change polls schedule under a conspiracy and warned if the date was changed the PTI would react strongly.

To another question, he said that his party was preparing a marshal plan for Balochistan which could help end a sense of deprivation among the Baloch.

He conceded there were differences in the PTI’s Sindh chapter like any other major political party but they would be ironed out soon.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2015

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