KARACHI, Sept 6: The Executive Council of the Pakistan People’s Party, Sindh chapter, on Wednesday accused the military-led regime of being on war path with people and apprehended that it would encourage outsiders to harm the country’s unity and integrity.

This was stated by the party leaders while addressing a joint press conference at the People’s Secretariat after the council’s meeting, which was chaired by PPP Sindh President Syed Qaim Ali Shah. The meeting hailed the private bill tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday for more provincial autonomy and abolishment of the concurrent list. The council termed it a timely move that would help remove misunderstandings and gulf created by the present government between the provinces.

Briefing the newsmen after the meeting, Qaim Ali Shah, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and Dr Fehmida Mirza said that provincial autonomy was a part of the Charter of Democracy signed by the two major components of ARD, PPP and PML-N. The charter was also singed by 11 other component parties of the alliance, they said.

Qaim Ali Shah said that the bill, which was the spirit of 1973 Constitution, would heal the wounds of Balochistan that were inflicted through ill-conceived policies of the government. “Had there been a political government, such a situation would never have occurred and there was no need of operation in Balochistan,” he observed.

He said that resource and water distribution had remained a contentious issue between the provinces and Sindh had reservations on it. He said that provincial autonomy was the longstanding demand of Sindh as the Centre as well as the President had assumed the powers of Council of Common Interest.

The PPP leader demanded that the army operation in Balochistan should be stopped immediately.

Nisar Ahmad Khuhro criticized the government for its strong arm tactics against the people who were demanding their rights. He noted that the regime was adopting the strategy of negotiations in North Wazirstan while it had resorted to military option in Balochistan, which was dangerous for the unity of the nation.

He said that the military was already embroiled in what he called a war without an end against foreign militants and their supporters and its operations in Balochistan was not only sapping its energy but also imploding the country at a rapid pace.

Nisar Khuhro complemented the party’s central leaders for taking lead in saving the country by tabling the private bill for abolishing the concurrent list and NFC Award.

Dr Fehmida Mirza accused the government of following the anti-country agenda. She said that Federal Minister Dr Sher Afghan Niazi had delivered irresponsible speech in the National Assembly adding fuel to the fire on Balochistan issue. She said that the speeches of federal ministers were provoking the three smaller provinces against Punjab which would harm the solidarity of the country.