KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information, Archives and Labour Saeed Ghani on Saturday vowed to approach every legal forum against the police officers who, according to him, were conspiring against the Sindh government.

He said that he and his cabinet members were not afraid of anything, adding that he and his colleagues would face all criticism.

The provincial minister for information said this while talking to the media after attending the annual thesis display of the Arts Council Institute of Arts and Crafts on Saturday.

Mr Ghani said that there were a few officers in the Sindh police who were involved in hatching a conspiracy against the Sindh government under the headship of the incumbent inspector general of police. He remarked that those police officers who were smitten with politics should join the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

‘Muttahida-PTI alliance can’t last long’

Speaking about the allegations levelled against him by Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Rizwan, the minister said that he had no objection to whosoever conducted an inquiry to reach the verity of those allegations. Defending the cabinet’s recent decision of asking the federal government for the replacement of the inspector general of police, Sindh, the minister said that the police officers could not be allowed to tarnish the image of the provincial government.

The minister said that there were a few black sheep in the police department who were constantly striving to bring a bad name to the Sindh government.

About the accusations against Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh, he said the energy minister would soon clarify every allegation made against him. He questioned how a superintended of police who himself was “corrupt” could accuse cabinet members of wrongdoings. The minister said that he would surely expose the unlawful activities of all such officers.

Remarks about MQM-PTI alliance

Mr Ghani said that although Prime Minister Imran Khan was on board regarding the replacement of the incumbent IGP, a few members of the PTI in Sindh were opposing it to protect their own vested interests.

Responding to a question, Saeed Ghani said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf could not remain allies for long as they were “forced” to form an alliance. He said that this marriage of convenience would not likely last long.

Mr Ghani said the MQM-P never gave priority to the real problems of the people. The party had its vested interests and only for those interests they joined or left a coalition. He said the PTI government had given nothing to the people except unemployment and inflation.

The minister said the secretary general of the PTI in Punjab himself had revealed that during the government of the PTI corruption had risen to a greater extent. Not only that, all the allies of the PTI were of a similar opinion, he added.

Responding to a question about the rising flour prices in the country, Saeed Ghani said there was no shortage of wheat or flour in the country, but an increase in the flour price in Punjab was alarming. He clarified that no one would be allowed to stockpile wheat or flour in Sindh.

Students’ creativity

Meanwhile, while attending the arts and crafts expo of the students of Arts Council Institute of Arts and Crafts, Mr Ghani said that it was always pleasing to attend such events in the Arts Council as it gave him an opportunity to encourage creativity.

He said the Arts Council was the best platform for students who were not well-off to come and demonstrate their talent.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2020