KARACHI, April 26: The chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, has demanded of President Pervez Musharraf to announce release of all arrested leaders and workers of Jiye Sindh Qaumi Mahaz and MQM, including Basheer Qureshi, during his referendum meeting in the city.

Speaking to party workers in Karachi and other parts of the province over telephone from London, Mr Hussain said that the President should further ensure that the locals were not ousted from their jobs in any organization in Sindh.

“People would pray a lot for the President if he announces that Kala Bagh Dam and Thal canal projects would not be executed without the consent of the Sindh people, the province would be given its legitimate share in the NFC award, it would be provided with its due share of water and all provinces, including Sindh, would be given full autonomy,” observed the Muttahida chief.

He said that General Musharraf should also order the supply of oil, gas and electricity produced in Sindh to the villages and Goths of the province on a priority basis.