HYDERABAD, June 1: Renowned poet Ahmed Faraz has said that army should keep away from politics and should always remain under the elected civilian governments.

He was speaking at the launching ceremony of Sajnan ja Saryo Sang, a collection of late journalist A.G. Chandio’s columns compiled by Zulfikar Halepoto, at the residence of Sindh Democratic Forum convener Abrar Kazi here on Saturday evening.

Faraz, who was not scheduled to attend the function turned up on request as he happened to be in the city, said that despite the US support Pervez Musharraf would have to go. Army should not be allowed to get too big for their boots, he remarked.

He said that people were the real source of power and the PPP, which was a people’s party, should avoid glamour and serve people.

He said the government should concentrate on solving people’s problems. “First, the rulers themselves should adopt austerity measures in their day life,” he said.

He said that the PPP had a revolutionary manifesto and, therefore, it should avoid conventional mode of governance. “PPP ministers who adorn best clothes must remember that if they keep themselves away from the people the latter will dissociate themselves from the party.”

Abject poverty was forcing people to sell their kidneys and children and unemployment was at its peak. “These are some of the challenges the rulers have to address.

Therefore, they should pay serious attention to the issues,” he said.

Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Sassui Palejo said that Sindh was the land of mysticism which could overpower extremism if it was given space to grow.

She said that the government should be answerable to the people and announced a job for A.G. Chandio’s brother in the culture department.

She said she was trying to set up cultural complexes at suitable places. Advisory boards would be formed to promote performing arts, she added.

Mr Maula Bux said that conspiracies were again being hatched against the government but this time the conspirators themselves would suffer.

Mr Abrar Kazi said that they were ready to give time to the PPP despite reservations over its coalition with MQM. Since people’s destiny was at stake they would be critically watching the PPP government, he remarked.

Mr Halepoto said that the book launching ceremony provided them an opportunity to speak about problems faced by Hyderabad which was known for its cool evenings and pleasant breeze.