SUKKUR: Mirpur Mathelo model court on Monday dismissed a plea against Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh over his alleged act of obstructing work of the Election Commission of Pakistan and attack on the police officials posted at polling stations during the 2019 by-election in Ghokti district.

Judge Abdul Faheem Panhwar announced his judgement, in the presence of Mr Sheikh, after a long trial, clearing him of all charges.

The case was registered in 2019 during by-election for National Assembly seat NA-205 when Sheikh reportedly tried to stop rigging at a women polling station where police personnel were allegedly busy stamping ballot papers.

Mr Sheikh termed the verdict a victory of his just stance and said that he had been regularly attending hearings of the ‘fabricated’ case for more than two years.

Later, speaking at a workers’ convention of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Ghotki district chapter, he said that ‘change’ had not yet touched Sindh but the days were not far when the province would undergo a complete change after PTI formed government with two thirds majority in the next general election.

He called workers of Ghotki brave soldiers of Imran Khan and said that PTI workers did not want jobs but they wanted change of corrupt system in the country. “We are not struggling to earn bounty, we are striving to save the country from internal and external threats,” he said.

He said that those who wanted money should join the ranks of Murad Ali Shah and Bilawal. Even after recent raise in POL price, the rate of POL products in Pakistan was still the lowest in the region, he said.

Sheikh said that PTI government was determined to resolve problems being faced by masses and a programme for provision of targeted subsidy on wheat flour, ghee, sugar and pulses was on the cards. He foresaw bright future for nation ahead, he said.

He said earlier after offering condolence to bereaved families of nine persons gunned down in an assault by Indhar gang at a petrol pump near Sindh-Punjab border a few days ago that a joint operation should be launched by Pakistan Rangers and police in Sindh and Punjab to root out criminal gangs operating along both sides of the border areas.

He said that criminal gangs took refuge in riverine area after committing crimes, it was hence necessary that Punjab and Sindh police should devise coordinated strategy to take action against the outlaws and preempt crimes in the area.

He admitted that it was federal departments’ duty to give relief to people but the first and foremost responsibility rested with Sindh government to serve people and resolve their problems.

“It was former president Asif Ali Zardari who accepted dollars from America and in return allowed it to carry out drone attacks on Pakistani soil,” he said, adding that PTI would never stand such actions.

About sorry of state of education in Sindh, Sheikh said that when education minister himself used improper words about Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai then it was forgone conclusion what was standard of education in the province.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2021