HYDERABAD: The war of words between MNA Malik Asad Sikandar from Jamshoro and MPA Jam Khan Shoro from Hyderabad district has once again flared up. Differences between the two Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders had initially emerged last year.

In the fresh spate of verbal sparring, Malik Asad Sikandar accused Jam Khan Shoro, who holds the portfolio of local government, of seeking bribe for giving his approval to certain development schemes of local councils in Jamshoro district.

Malik minced no words again in taking on Jam Shoro at a gathering of Bholari municipal committee during his visit to the area to attend a ceremony. In stinging criticism of Dr Sikandar Shoro, the MPA from Kotri, and Jam Khan Shoro, he disparagingly referred to them as “hens”.

He vowed to defeat them in the next election. “They will face such an ignominious defeat that they will forget doing politics,” he said. While urging party workers to strengthen hands of chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Malik said: “I appeal to party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to field brave and people-friendly candidates in the election, instead of cowards who have no roots in the masses.”

He claimed to have evidence of illegalities in the local government department and asked chairmen of all local councils not to give a single penny to any LG official.

Malik appealed to the PPP chairman to remove the LG minister and take notice of the state of affairs in his department. He said that police and government officials should avoid taking sides unnecessarily and warned that “time changes fast”.

Jam Khan Shoro hit back, saying Malik Asad was using such language because his “negative monopoly” had been shattered in Jamshoro and because his “illegal schemes” were demolished by his department last year.

“Nobody other than Malik can even think of holding a political gathering in his hometown, Thano Arib Khan, but we have done it repeatedly. Only recently, a programme was held there which was attended by Malik Changez and Nabeel Gabol,” Shoro said. He said that even PPP didn’t hold such gatherings.

He rejected Malik’s allegations that officers of his department were demanding bribes for approval of schemes. “No such complaint is seen from any other district,” he said.

He claimed that general elections were drawing nearer and Malik was facing opposition in his stronghold.

“Situation has improved in Jamshoro district. People can get their proprietary rights registered in the revenue record which until recently was not possible as it always required the nod from Malik House,” Shoro said. He observed that Jamshoro district was now quite active politically which was not the case previously.

Malik Asad counters Jam Khan’s claims. He said that no department other than the LG department was forcing its officials to pay commission. “I have documents [proving] that he as minister disapproved the schemes which were okayed by the LG secretary. Isn’t it political victimisation of mine and my supporters?”

He said that works were not being carried out in Jamshoro. Previously, such schemes had been disapproved in Thana Bula Khan and now it was in Bolhari, he added.

Jamshoro district has been a stronghold of Malik Asad Sikandar ever since it had been carved out of Dadu district by the Arbab Rahim-led government in 2005.

Malik has also served as the district nazim. Malik is not comfortable with younger Shoros — Jam Khan and Dr Sikandar. The latter is from Kotri, which falls under MNA Malik’s constituency.

Malik had lent his support to Dr Sikandar Shoro in the previous general election to enable him to win comfortably. However, Dr Shoro has now joined hands with Jam Khan Shoro to challenge Malik in his hometown. Shoros seek to isolate Malik in his very district by making inroads. But Malik, the seasoned tribal chief, has not given up and is actively shoring up support among Shoros of Kotri as well.

Malik has been facing a difficult situation since last year when he had fallen out of party favour in the wake of a controversy, involving a property firm, and acquisition of land in some villages where his supporters live. He eventually met Asif Zardari in Dubai and so did the Shoros.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2018