SUKKUR: Pakistan Peoples Party leader MNA Faryal Talpur, who is believed to have considerable influence in party affairs, proceeded to the residence of Ali Gohar Mahar, located in the plains of Khanpur Mahar, reportedly to end differences between the Mahar brothers and some other senior party leaders, including MNA Ahmed Ali Khan Pitafi and MPA Abdul Bari Pitafi.

Sources in the Ghotki district political circles said that several PPP heavyweights including Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Nawab Wassan, Mohammed Ali Malkani, Sardar Chandio, Sohrab Sarki, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Aftab Sha’aban Mirani, Sardar Shah Nawaz Khushk, Jam Khan Shoro and Inamullah Khan Dharejo were among those who were present at the gathering to assist Ms Talpur in her patch-up efforts.

A luncheon was hosted in the honour of the guests after which issues leading to tension between the Mahars and the Pitafis were sorted out, the sources said.

It was learnt that the Mahar brothers were unhappy over neglect of their constituencies in the process of approval for development schemes as well as not being obliged in the process of recruitment in government departments.

Ms Talpur heard Ali Gohar Mahar and Ali Nawaz Mahar aka Raja Khan Mahar for half an hour and assured them of sympathetic consideration of their grievances.

Sources said former chief minister Ali Mohammed Mahar, MPA Sardar Mohammed Bukhsh Mahar and Bangul Khan Mahar stayed away from the crucial meeting. They said Ali Mohammed Mahar was stated to be ill and Mohammed Bukhsh Mahar was away in Karachi.

Although none of those present at the gathering spoke about the outcome of the meeting, it was learnt that most issues had been amicably settled.

Abdul Bari Pitafi was quoted as saying that he was not being removed as the party’s Ghotki district chief and that he had no differences with the Mahar brothers.

Strict security arrangements were made along the route of Ms Talpur’s convoy, sources said.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2015

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