LARKANA, July 25: Differences in the Larkana district body of the Pakistan People’s Party appear to have deepened as its general secretary Mohammed Anwar Bhutto has issued a suspension letter of party’s district information secretary, Asghar Shaikh, for violating party discipline.

Talking to this correspondent, Mr Shaikh said that the suspension letter had been issued with fake signature of Mr Bhutto.

However, Mr Bhutto said the letter was signed by PPP’s Larkana district vice-president Khair Mohammed Shaikh on his behalf.

He said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who is the provincial chief of the party, had issued order for the suspension.

Action against Asghar Shaikh has been taken after he issued a press statement on July 18, saying that despite efforts, a small number of party workers attended the 23rd death anniversary of Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto, brother of late Benazir Bhutto, at Naudero house.

Unsatisfactory performance, indiscipline and lack of interest in party affairs are the charges framed against Mr Shaikh in the suspension letter. He has been asked to reply in seven days or face removal from the party office.

Mr Shaikh said that action against him had been taken after he spoke truth.

The local PPP leadership had disappointed people, he said, adding that important posts were being given to relatives and the party workers were being ignored.

He claimed that the district body could not suspend or remove him from the party office. It could only issue a show-cause notice, he said, adding that issuance of the suspension letter was itself an action against party discipline.

Rejecting allegations, Anwar Bhutto said that instead of issuing press statements, Mr Shaikh should discuss issues at party’s platform.