LARKANA: Sindh Minister for Information Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has rejected reports that some PPP leaders are preparing to part ways with the party, adding that those who have already deserted the party know very well where their fate is headed.

The PPP would actively participate in forthcoming local government elections and the party would award tickets to prospective candidates after completion of an intra-party process of consultations, he said.

Mr Khuhro, along with Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, was briefing journalists after an important party meeting headed by PPP chairman Bilawal Butto-Zardari at Naudero House on Thursday.

Bilawal meets party leaders, workers in the 2nd phase of discussions on party affairs

The PPP head met elected representatives of the PPP, party office-bearers and workers of Sukkur division in what was being touted as the second phase of intra-party discussions on forthcoming local bodies’ elections and other party issues.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, PPP leaders Islamuddin Shaikh, Ali Gohar Mahar, Ahmed Ali Pitafi, Naeem Kharal, Syed Jawed Shah and others briefed Mr Bhutto-Zardari about the political situation in the division and the party’s level of preparedness for the LG polls.

Mr Khuhro said the party chief asked the leaders and workers to concentrate on the party’s organisation and step up contacts with people. Such consultative meetings would continue in future, he said.

He said that despite the fact the PPP had laid down unprecedented sacrifices for democracy and people, its leadership had never escaped to safe havens abroad.

About MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s latest statement, he said that the former sometimes issued such statements in an emotional frame of mind.

Mr Khuhro said in answer to a question that Sindh Governor Dr Istratul Ibad had met former president Asif Ali Zardari in his capacity as governor of Sindh as the MQM had already disowned him.

He said that it was a basic right of a party worker to speak his mind on all party issues but once the party took a decision, he would have to accept it whether he liked it or not, or get prepared to face disciplinary action.

In a reference to the ongoing operation and action against PPP leaders, Mr Khuhro raised a question, saying: “Are all ills in Sindh?” He criticised the government for dilly-dallying on the release of a report on the Model Town firing incident and remarked about Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s visit to Sindh, saying: “We give no importance to him and his tour of Sindh”.

He called for a halt to what he described as a policy of political victimisation meted out by the ruling party and said that it would not only cause political polarisation but would also deal a serious blow to democratic institutions.

MNA Faryal Talpur, chairperson of PPP women’s wing, and other party leaders also attended the meeting.

Bakhtawar visits varsity, college

Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari visited the under-construction Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University near Arija town on Thursday.

She also visited Bibi Aseefa Dental College and a family park near Larkana Institute of Nuclear Medicines and Radiotherapy.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2015

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