LARKANA, June 3: JUI-F Senator Khalid Mehmood Soomro has said that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal is ready to support the charter of democracy if the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy incorporates some Islamic provisions in it.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, he said that the PPP was not ready to speak against the US because it was waiting desperately for power routed through the US.

He said that it was right time for the leadership of the PPP, PML-N and the MQM to return to Pakistan and stand by its people.

He said the government would not afford to keep popular leadership behind the bars for long time.

He said that democracy did not exit and there was one man’s rule in the country.

He said that Gen Parvez Musharraf had absorbed 7,500 in-service army men in civil services.

He said that Sindh had suffered a serious financial trauma in the shape of new formula of the National Finance Commission.

He said that instead of choosing population factor in settling the issue of NFC, the element of revenue generation and poverty level should be included in the formula of distribution.

He said that it was height of injustice that Sindh produced oil, gas and generated revenue but it received a meagre amount.

He said that locals were being neglected and outsiders were enjoying at the cost of Sindh’s resources.

He criticised the government for sugar and cement crisis, adding that when the opposition raised hue and cry, NAB managers initiated the probe into sugar crisis.

Senator Soomro said that Gen Musharraf intervened and stopped the NAB from the probe.

The cement imported was being sold on higher rates and people were being fleeced, he said.

He said that Pakistan Steel Mill was privatised in Rs21 billion amid labourers offer of Rs24 billion though the entire enterprise valued Rs120 billion.

He said the government had failed on all fronts where law and order situation continue to go worse from bad, price spiralling, the cases of gang rape and suicide were on the rise.

Replying to a question, he said that the MMA was not satisfied with appointment of the chief election commissioner as he said he would not be neutral enough to hold impartial elections.

He said the opposition had always demanded for installing the CEC with its consultation so as to ensure transparency in polls.

Commenting on the PML-MQM stand off in Sindh where the settlement had arrived at striking a deal over sharing 40 per cent and 60 per cent services, he said it was quite injustice and uncalled for.

He said that the distribution of services between two political parties and their allies was open violation of the constitution.

He demanded that the accord arrived between the ruling party and the MQM in Sindh should be made public.

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