THATTA, April 9: People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) MPA Sassui Palijo has termed the proposed bifurcation of Thatta district a conspiracy that will eventually lead to disintegration of the province. Addressing a press conference, she warned that the government would face resistance, much stronger than from Baloch nationalists, if they continued to act on the dictates of its coalition partner in Sindh, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Ms Palijo alleged that the proposed division was not a simple case of creating a new district, it was an old political ambition of the Muttahida, which was abusing its a political authority.

However, Sindhis and their supporters, she said, would fight to defend the legitimate and historical boundaries of the district.

She said the PPP had called an all party conference on the issue and lawmakers had begun a province-wide contact campaign to bring into confidence all the nationalist forces, including the Awami Tahreek, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, Sindh National Front and others to launch a joint movement against the bifurcation.

Sassui Palijo criticized Gen Musharraf and claimed that smaller provinces were facing the worst ever tenure of the dictatorial regime.

The coastal belt of Thatta district had rich mineral resources, deposits of lignite coal, oil, gas and mangroves, she said, adding that the Muttahida wanted to control the resources.