HYDERABAD, April 14: A representative gathering convened by the Awami Tahrik here on Sunday sought recognition of sovereignty of “Sindhi people’s right over Sindh” and appointment of a Sindhi person as governor of the province.

The gathering was presided over by AT chief Rasool Bux Palijo and attended, among others, by Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo, Muzaffar Sadiq Bhatti, Nazeer Memon, Abrar Qazi and Rauf Sasoli.

A declaration issued on the occasion said that the struggle and sacrifices of the judges, lawyers, journalists and political and civil society activists had brought about positive changes in the country.

It warned that people would not forgive anyone compromising

on the principles on the pretext of reconciliation or restoration of peace. It said that the economy of the country heavily depended on Sindh which contributed 70 per cent of the national revenue.

But, it said, under a conspiracy, the resources of Sindh were being transferred to Punjab and due to the influx of outsiders the Sindhis were being converted into a minority.

It alleged that the massive mandate given by the nation was not being respected and said that attempts were being made to induct 50 per cent non-Sindhi ministers into the Sindh cabinet.

It said that thousands of innocent people had been killed in Karachi and Hyderabad by terrorists since 1985, but the cases against them had been illegally withdrawn. It demanded that the cases be reopened, charge-sheet presented, action taken against the ministers, secretaries and government functionaries accused in the cases.

It demanded that districts divided on ethnic basis be restored to their original shape, Karachi and Hyderabad district governments be dissolved, demolition of Sindhi villages in Karachi be stopped and status of the villages regularised.

It also demanded that people coming to Sindh after 1954 be expelled from the province and rehabilitation of outsiders and issuing of NICs to them be stopped forthwith. It called for closure of Khokhropar route to check the influx of Indians.

It demanded implementation of the Murree declaration in

letter and spirit and reinstatement of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other sacked judges of the superior judiciary.

It demanded re-demarcation of constituencies of union councils and provincial and national assemblies in Karachi to give representation to the Sindhi and Baloch settlements.

It said that Sindhi language be given the status of an official language and be made compulsory subject in all the primary schools.

It demanded that the auction of industrial plots be immediately stopped and proprietary rights be given to the Sindhi settlements in Karachi where records had been burnt.