KARACHI, March 20: Leader of the opposition in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro, on Saturday, criticized the government for failing to apprehend killers of Hajra, Sassi and Abdullah Murad and adopting delaying tactics.

He expressed these views while addressing a news conference in his chamber after the Sindh Assembly session on Saturday. Mr Khuhro said that the government side could not satisfy the opposition during the discussion on his adjournment motion to condemn the murder of Abdullah Murad. He said that the government was trying to side track the issue and adopting evasive methods on the registration of FIR and investigation leading to arrest of the culprits.

"Home department is their. If they had not felt it necessary to have judicial inquiry into the murder of Khalid Bin Walid and Abdul Raziq Khan and had insisted on police inquiry, there must be some reason. But why should I be expected to do the same?" said Mr Khuhro.

Leader of the opposition said that the government must own its responsibility for failing to protect life and property of the people. He alleged that it was the result of establishment's policy of imposing those elements who believed in terrorism.

Regarding the NFC Award, he termed the provincial government's stand an eye wash and an attempt to mislead the people. In this context, he referred to the government's statement that it would not accept award on the basis of population and said he was not convinced because in the past also such statements were made but Sindh's rights were bartered away.

He alleged that the NFC issue was deliberately being politicized by the government and criticized those elements who had boycotted National Assembly proceedings to exert pressure for getting their concerns addressed on the NFC, National Security Council and other connected issues. "This act was adopted just to deceive the people," he said and alleged that in the end the government would also buckle under on the NFC. In that case, he said, "Why can't the Sindh government ask that sales tax be given to the provinces, which had this right until 1954."

Referring to an amendment sought by the MQM MNA in the Citizenship Act, through which the mover had pleaded that if a foreigner married a Pakistani women, he should automatically be given Pakistani citizenship. He said the move would have serious repercussions on country's political, economic and social situation.

Mr Khuhro thought it was a conspiracy to convert the locals into a minority. Rejecting the idea, Mr Khuhro said that the country was already burdened with the presence of a number of illegal settlers. He said there were already over two million aliens living illegally here who were receiving all kinds of services and benefits, which were only entitled to Pakistanis. "The PPP condemns this move and strongly resists all such moves in and outside assemblies," he added.

He also rejected Prime Minister Jamali's proposal for having 25 provinces and that amounted to fresh constitutional amendment. He emphasized that the Constitution only recognized four administrative units.

Mr Khuhro also welcomed Mohammad Aziz Khan Ashrafkhel, Chairman Paigham Rahbar Organization of UC-7 Site Town, who renounced links with Jamaat-i-Islami and declared joining the Awam Dost Panel. Aziz Khan also declared that he would formally join the PPP in a public meeting in Ghosia Mohalla alongwith his followers on Sunday.