NAWABSHAH: Shahjahan Junejo, brother of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) candidate for NA-209 (Sanghar) Mohammed Khan Junejo, was booked along with 20 people, including five women, on Tuesday for allegedly blocking way to Nizamani House with burning objects with intention to sabotage a planned gathering where two former GDA leaders from the Nizamani community were to announce their joining of Pakistan Peoples Party.

Senior PPP leader and a former lawmaker Shazia Atta Marri was to visit the Nizamani House to welcome Shahid Khan Nizamani and Farooq Nizamani alias Kako to the PPP fold but, according to her, she could not reach the Nizamani House due to the road blockade.

The FIR (No.6/24) was registered against the suspects by SHO Sanaullah Panhwar of the Sanghar police station under Sections 341, 353, 147, 148 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code on behalf of the state.

The SHO stated in the FIR that he was on routine patrolling on Monday night when he received information about a demonstration and road blockade along Pir Saheb Pagaro Road by a crowd. He stated that he came to know that Shahid Nizamani and Farooq Nizamani alias Kako were to announced their quitting of the GDA and joining the PPP for which a programme was arranged at the Nizamani House and certain PPP leaders were about arrive.

The SHO stated that when reached the troubled spot, he saw some 100 to 150 residents of Nizamani Muhalla, including women and children, having assembled outside the Nizamani House. They were carrying clubs, bricks and stones and had blocked the road and denying free movement to vehicles and pedestrians, he claimed, and added that the demonstrators were shouting that they would not allow any PPP leader or their vehicles to pass through the road.

The SHO further stated that he tried to persuade the demonstrators, who had lit bonfire in the middle of the road, to disperse peacefully and clear the road but in vain. They also stopped police from discharging their official duties, he said.

SHO Panhwar mentioned the name of Shahjahan Junejo and claimed that he was instigating the crowd to keep blocking the road.

Those nominated in the FIR, besides Shahjahan Junejo, are Kashif, Abdul Ghafar, Majid, Dadan Ali, Waryam, Umaid Ali, Ali Raza, Bahadur, Jummo, Ms Mehnaz, Ms Jannat, Ms Azra, Ms Khairi and Ms Razia — all Nizamanis by caste — and Nangar Wassan, Ronjho Khaskheli, Mashooq Khaskheli, Kazim Sehano and Haji Nazir Hussain.

The SHO said that the matter was brought to the knowledge of police high-ups after which reinforcement was called out to restore law and order and clear the road.

No one could be arrested as all demonstrators escaped into narrow lanes as soon as the police moved against them, the police officer stated.

PPP leaders condemn incident

Shazia Marri along with Naveed Dero, Aajiz Dhamrah and other PPP leaders spoke to the media on Monday night to condemn the episode. She described the demonstration to block access to the Nizamani House as a shameful act.

She said that such activities were a clear violation of the code of conduct prescribed by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

She also criricised the caretaker government failure to ensure an environment conducive to peaceful electioneering and free and fair elections. She observed that the police failed to control a handful of people indulging in the unlawful act.

She urged the ECP to take notice of the pre-planned attempt to disturb the political situation in Sanghar.

She alleged that the assistant returning officers of NA-209, PS-40 and PS-41 were disciples of [GDA leader] Pir Pagara.

‘Deceased woman among booked suspects’

Abdul Ghaffar Nizamani, one of the suspects nominated in the FIR, denied having been among the demonstrators and condemned the police for naming him in the case.

He maintained that he, being a media worker and social activist, was present there for coverage.

“The police also booked my mother, who had died some five years back,” he said in his video message.

The GDA candidate or his family members could not be reached by phone despite repeated attempts.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2024