HYDERABAD, Feb 27: The Institute of Sindh Affairs has appealed to People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to set aside friendships in the appointment of Sindh chief minister and appoint only that person who could protect the interest of Sindh.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the chairman of the institute, Prof Liaquat Aziz, Secretary Zafar Ahmed Rajput and others said that a leader of impeccable character who could place balm on wounds of people, who had suffered during the regime of Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim should be appointed as the chief minister of Sindh.

They said that someone who had destroyed the educational system of Sindh during the previous People’s Party regime should not be appointed while adding that some efficient member of the assembly should be selected for the chief minister’s slot on purely merit basis.

They urged Mr Zardari to respect the sentiments and the aspirations of the people.

STP: Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi has reminded those who had received mandate in the polls that it was now their responsibility to get rid of the dictatorship once and for all and establish a true democracy in the country.

He was talking to the party workers at Taraqqi Pasand House here on Wednesday.

He said due to the assassination of Ms Bhutto, sacrifices of political and civil society workers, the struggle launched by judges, lawyers, journalists, democratic and nationalist forces the ground for true democracy in the country had been levelled.

He said that it had now become crystal clear that the PPP, PML-N and ANP would form the governments in centre and in provinces.

He said people have now pinned all their hopes on these parties and expressed the hope that they would not only resolve problems of oppressed people but also restore sacked judges, repeal the Article 58(2)(b) of the Constitution, make provinces autonomous, shelve the Kalabagh Dam project, ensure judicious distribution of water and eliminate the black custom of karo-kari and tribal disputes.