SUKKUR: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party is no stranger to revengeful activities despite the fact the party does not want confrontation with anyone and continues with its policy of reconciliation.

Talking to journalists at his residence here on Monday, Mr Shah said it appeared the federal government did not want to end loadshedding at least in the short term, adding that he did not see any end to the electricity crisis before 2018.

He said that former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari had talked against a mindset of dictators who had multiplied problems in the country and laid foundation of corruption.

He said that politicians had not been able to resolve basic problems of people even after 68 years, they, therefore, were required to put their heads together to resolve the problems instead of creating pretexts that helped dictators.

He said the rulers were required to learn a lesson from the level of development in neighbouring countries. Nawaz–Modi talks were better for both the countries and would be helpful to maintain peace in the region, he said.

He denied reports of any alliance between Muttahida Qaumi Movement and PPP in the near future and said no such suggestion was under consideration.

About Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan, he said he was a king’s man who talked about one thing one day and the next day spoke contrary to it. At the time of PTI’s sit-in, he said the PPP did not support Nawaz Sharif but supported democracy.

Benazir birth anniversary

Leaders, activists and supporters of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Sindh Peoples Students Federation in large numbers took part in several programmes held in Sukkur to celebrate the 62nd birth anniversary of slain party chief and prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Sunday night.

At one of the events, Arsalan Islam Shaikh and Mushtaq Surhio along with other PPP leaders cut a cake and made speeches to eulogise the services of their charismatic leader to the nation. They vowed to accomplish the party’s mission of strengthening democracy in the country and improve the lot of the poor.

The party’s student wing also held ceremonies at its different offices in the district to celebrate the birth anniversary. SPSF leader Khadim Malik along with his colleagues cut the cake paid homage to Ms Bhutto.

He said that the PPP leader sacrificed her life for the cause of democracy and rights of the masses. He said it was her relentless struggle and able leadership that helped democracy flourish in the country.

MPA Sardar Mir Abid Khan Sundrani and other PPP leaders in Khairpur organised a birth anniversary programme in a village near the town late on Sunday evening.

Speaking on the occasion after cutting the cake, Mr Sundrani said that Ms Bhutto’s political acumen and her role as a statesman and prime minister was acknowledged across the world. He said while holding the office of the prime minister, she introduced a people-friendly interior policy and a balanced external policy. He said she was assassinated by anti-democracy elements.

The MPA said that her son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was now here to accomplish her unfinished mission.

Activist found dead

A well-known social activist of the New Pind area of Sukkur was found dead in his house late on Sunday night.

Ghulam Abbas Abro, 50, was a respected and active social worker of the area and his sudden death sent a wave of shock in New Pind and other parts of Sukkur. His family had gone out of Sukkur a couple of days back leaving him alone in the house. On Sunday night, the neighbours felt a strong foul smell coming out of it and informed the police, who found the main gate locked from inside and broke open it.

Mr Abro was lying dead in a room and was taken to the Sukkur Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Initial reports suggested that the body had lain there for two days.

The cause of his death was yet to be established.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2015

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