HYDERABAD, Jan 8: Eminent intellectual Manzoor Aijaz has said that the Punjab’s progressive elements have committed big mistakes in the past and acted as silent spectators to the killings in East Pakistan.

But, the people of Punjab had now become politically aware and proved it by staging protest demonstrations against government’s unjustifiable operation in Balochistan and its adamant attitude on mega water reservoirs, said Mr. Aijaz who is leader of Sindhi-Punjabi Forum in America while talking to Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palijo after party organised in his honour at Awami House, Qasimabad on Sunday.

Politically conscious people all over the world had risen against the aggressive policies of Mr. Bush’s government and Americans had come out in great numbers to protest against their president, he said.

Rasool Bux Palijo said that more than any other province, the onus was on the people of Punjab to help get rid of exploitative forces. They should follow the example of Sindhis and launch a relentless struggle against the usurpers, he added.