KARACHI, May 16: Sindh chief of the Pakistan People’s Party Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that the Charter of Democracy signed by Ms Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif would prove “the last nail in the coffin of military dictatorship” and a catalyst in strengthening democratic dispensation.

He was addressing a public meeting at Shafiq Colony. Leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Rashid Rabbani, Waqar Mehdi, Eijazuddin Shah, Abdus Samad Gabol, Shehla Raza, Fareed Ansari, Abdul Qudoos and other PPP leaders also spoke.

Mr Shah declared that the charter would lay the foundations of strong and independent democratic institutions.

He slammed the government for mounting unemployment, soaring prices, continued loadshedding, persisting water shortage and appalling law and order situation in the country. He also condemned the government for demolishing old villages in Karachi and other parts of the province.

Mr Shah said that the PPP had always stood for the emancipation and prosperity of people and would continue to do so. He recalled that the PPP government under Ms Benazir Bhutto had granted a Rs121 billion package for Karachi to provide basic amenities to every citizen of the city without any discrimination.

He assured the people that once the PPP was given the mandate, it would restore the usurped rights of people and work for their betterment. Mr Shah chided the regime for failing to control price hike, and said that life of common man had become very difficult.

Mr Khuhro said that the regime was using strong-arm tactics against the poor people, especially the working class which was being rendered jobless. He also condemned the recent police action against sugar mill workers.

Until the rights of people are restored and dictatorship is banished, the PPP will continue its struggle against usurpers.

A JI leader and President of the Mazdoor Ittehad in Shafiq Colony Haji Waris, President of the Boneri Ittehad Khanzada Boneri, and an elder of the Lasi Goth Taj Mohammad Boneri, announced their joining the PPP along with their supporters on the occasion.