KARACHI: A group of eminent political figures from Sindh comprising four former chief ministers, a former National Assembly speaker and some political heavyweights met at the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) provincial chief Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi on Wednesday to take stock of the situation arising out of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) demand that either more administrative units be created in Sindh or a separate province for Mohajirs be carved out of it.

Considering the MQM demand a serious threat to the integrity of Sindh, the meeting discussed prospects of a ‘grand alliance’ to be formed to launch a massive and vigorous drive to save the province from disintegration.

Pir Rashdi, former NA speaker Illahi Bukhsh Soomro, former Sindh CMs Syed Ghaus Ali Shah, Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Ehsan Ali Jatoi and PML-F coordinator Kamran Tessori expressed their concern over the fast-changing political situation in the country in general and Sindh in particular.

They agreed the situation called for formation of a grand alliance to frustrate designs to divide Sindh, besides ridding the province of corruption, lawlessness, targeted killings, poverty, etc.

Mr Tessori said the participants in the meeting decided leaders from all like-minded parties and groups, as well as intellectuals, writers and representatives of civil society organisations, be invited to a forum to be held after Ashura to give shape to the proposed alliance. The forum would also finalise the name of the alliance, he added.

According to sources, the participants in the meeting observed that corruption, lawlessness, nepotism, inflation, unemployment, falling economy, drought in certain regions and countless other issues had made the life of the common man miserable in Sindh, which was in the grip of crises due to the so-called policy of reconciliation.

While the ongoing operation in Karachi had failed to check targeted killing, terrorism, extortion and other crimes, the law and order situation in the interior of Sindh had worsened with murders and kidnappings for ransom being on the rise, they observed.

They noted that people felt insecure in their homes while travelling even during the day had become dangerous due to the absence of the rule of law, according to the sources.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2014