SHIKARPUR: Sindh Ass­e­­mbly Speaker Agha Siraj Khan Durrani has said that no party in the province is strong enough to challenge Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the next general election.

He was speaking at a tea party hosted for him jointly by the Shikarpur Sindhi-Pathan Bradary and All Sindhi-Pathan Youth at the residence of Special People Foundation chairman Agha Muneer Khan Pathan near Kiri Nawab Khan locality on Thursday. He also res­pon­ded to questions posed by local reporters who were present at the party.

He observed that PPP opponents were trying to create the impression that the party had lost its roots in Sindh but the factual position was that it was mere a propaganda as even all anti-PPP parties together could not give a tough time to it in the election.

Mr Durrani claimed that the PPP would sweep election not only in Sindh but all other provinces because it had been serving the masses for decades and had the honour of restoring and defending democracy in the country. Great sacrifices had been rendered by the Bhutto family and thousands of PPP workers in their struggle for the restoration of democracy and were continuing it to defend the democratic process, he added.

In reply to a question about reports of former provincial minister Agha Taim­oor Khan Pathan’s defection, he said the party was yet to confirm or deny such reports but it was every citizen’s democratic right to work for a party of his choice.

He, however, ack­now­ledged having heard rum­ours about Aghan Taim­oor’s intention to join the anti-PPP Grand Demo­cratic Alliance (GDA).

Endorsing PPP’s handling of the death of Naqee­bullah Mehsud in which is alleged to be a “fake enco­un­ter” involving (suspended) Malir SSP Rao Anwar, the Sindh Assembly speaker said the police offi­cer and his team were facing an investigation under the supervision of his high-ups.

Mr Durrani also noted that PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had also taken serious notice of the episode and they were not interfering in the legal course. He was of the view that the impression that the investigators were being pressured by the provincial government or the party was wrong.

“A proper and fair investigation into the allegations against the SSP and his team was under way to ensure justice to the aggrie­ved side,” he said, adding that if it turned out to be a fake encounter, the police officers found guilty would definitely be punished in accordance with the law.

Mr Durrani said police were supposed to protect the life, property and honour of citizens but no one could be given licence to kill innocent people. “Killing a man in fake encounter is a very serious allegation and must be investigated thoroughly,” he said, adding that the guilty of such an act must be taken to task.

In reply to a question about delimitation, the PA spea­ker said that the Elec­tion Commission of Pakistan wanted to retain the current constituencies for the next general election but no such notification had been issued as yet. However, it any chan­ges were carried out and they appeared to be against the interests of the general public, such moves would obviously be resisted by political forces.

Appropriate forums including the floor of the assembly could be used to raise voice against such ill-advised moves, he added.Earlier, speaking to the audience at the tea party, Mr Durrani urged the Pathan community living in Sindh to forge unity in their ranks to ensure rights of its every individual. He made it clear that the Sindhi-Pathan alliance and affiliated outfits were purely social organisations which had nothing to do with politics.

“They are meant to ensure resolution of civic and social issues at local level in coordination with the authorities concerned and work for the welfare of communities,” he said.

Agha Asad Pathan, Agha Muneer Khan Pathan, Agha Sanaullah, Dado Khan Pathan and other notables of the area attended the party.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2018