PPP stands for democracy, not Nawaz Sharif: Sindh interior minister

Published August 20, 2017
Sindh Interior minister Anwar Siyal addressing a press conference on Sunday. — Screengrab
Sindh Interior minister Anwar Siyal addressing a press conference on Sunday. — Screengrab

Sindh Interior Minister Anwar Siyal clarified on Sunday that the Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) support for democracy does not mean that it supports the ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

"He is constantly attacking the judiciary and state institutions," he said in a press conference, referring to Sharif's speeches during his 'homecoming' rally on GT Road, where he asked his supporters the reason of his expulsion repeatedly.

"He [Sharif] says he is being treated unfairly. Your party has the federal government as well as the provincial governments of Punjab and Balochistan, yet you are playing the victim. Why don't you tell us who is victimising you?" he demanded.

Siyal recalled that when former PPP prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani was ousted, the then President Asif Ali Zardari had replaced him with Raja Pervez Ashraf instead of challenging the judiciary and the system.

Siyal's comments echoed PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, who on Friday had wondered why Sharif is unwilling to accept the court's decision. The former president had also called Sharif "dangerous" for the "democratic process".

The Sindh interior minister also talked about Karachi's ongoing law and order operation, saying that both terrorists and traitors will receive the same treatment. Calling Muttahida Qaumi Movement's founder Altaf Hussain a traitor, Siyal likened him to convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death by the Pakistan government.

Siyal also complained that the federal government has not contributed in the ongoing Karachi operation as promised.

"It was agreed that the operation budget will be split into half between the centre and Sindh government, but the federal government has not kept its promise," he alleged.

He vowed, however, that despite the lack of resources, the operation would continue.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...
Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...