KARACHI: The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has demanded from the election commission and other authorities concerned to post neutral officers on administrative positions in the province within a week so that the upcoming elections could be held fairly and freely.

The demand emerged during a GDA meeting, presided over by Pir Pagara, at the Kingri House on Wednesday.

Those in attendance were: Ghaus Ali Shah, Pir Sadruddin Rashdi, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Safdar Abbasi, Irfanullah Khan Marwat, Zafar Ali Shah, Jalal Mehmood Shah, Ayaz Palijo, Makhdoom Shahnawaz, Shafi Jamote, Zain Shah, Khuda Bux Rajar, Sardar Rahim, Nand Kumar, Kishanchand Parwani, Nawaz Ali Shah, Mir Ali Nawaz Talpur, Ghulam Ali Nizamani and others.

Threatens to hold protests if their suggestion is not paid heed to

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Pir Pagara said the GDA would launch severe protests if the bureaucracy was not changed before the polls.

He suggested that the officers from Sindh be transferred to Punjab while those from Punjab be posted in Sindh. “This way, we can ensure impartial elections,” he said.

“Transferring an officer from one place in Sindh to another place in the province is not a solution,” he maintained.

In reply to a question, Pir Pagara said they had finalised almost 80 per cent of their candidates and did not rule out an alliance with “likeminded parties” such as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

He further said the Pakistan Peoples Party failed to deliver during its 10-year rule and inflicted the worst ever damage on the economy of the province. As a result, the people were looking for an alternative leadership.

“The GDA will solve the problems of the masses like unemployment, scarcity of water and power, and will ensure social justice,” he added.

Dr Fehmida Mirza, on the occasion, said the caretaker setup was, “in fact”, continuity of the last rulers which was not acceptable to them and demanded immediate replacements of DROs, DCs and SSPs for equal opportunities for all political parties contesting the elections.

Ayaz Latif Palijo, who is the general secretary of the GDA, said his party was in negotiations with similar parties for seat adjustment.

Dr Safdar Abbasi said the results of the polls will prove that the GDA was an alternative to the PPP which was now ruled by Asif Zardari.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2018