SUKKUR: Jubilant councillors belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Ghotki Municipal Committee distributed sweets and danced in the house on Wednesday when they, led by chief municipal officer Nadir Shah Amroti, succeeded in getting the committee’s chairman, Syed Asghar Ali Shah suspended on corruption charges.

A strong contingent of police stood guard outside the house amid tension and fear of some untoward incident involving the rival groups.

Amroti and Shah had been at odds over numerous issues for long and PPP members of the house had been struggling within the house and also within political circles to get him removed.

On Wednesday, a Sindh government handout placed him under suspension, indicating that he would have to clear himself from the corruption charges being levelled against him by certain committee members.

As soon as the handout was issued, CMO Nadir Shah held an emergency press conference to explain what led to the committee chairman’s suspension.

He told reporters and his supporters that Asghar Ali Shah had been suspended for two months, and repeated the allegation that Shah was involved in corruption and illegal occupation of a piece of precious land meant for Sabzi Mandi. Certain lawyers were working for him in the unlawful activity, he claimed.

“Shah has amassed millions by using the office of the committee chairman as he now owns bungalows and highly expesive vehicles,” he said, adding that an inquiry must be held into his “misdeeds”.

PPP’s Ghotki general secretary Sikandar Ali Lakho, city president Abdul Majeed Lakho and many other local leaders and activists were present at the press conference.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2020