KARACHI, April 20: The Shirazi brothers of Thatta district have demanded of the election commission of Pakistan and the supreme court to send an inspection team to their district, claiming that the caretaker government has failed to maintain impartiality and neutrality by indulging in transfers and postings on massive scale during the past few weeks in the police, education, health, revenue and other departments.

They alleged that the recent transfers and postings were carried out at the behest of the PPP leadership to influence the election staff to get Owais Muzaffar Tappi, said to be a foster brother of President Asif Ali Zardari, elected from PS-88 in Thatta.

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, Syed Shafqat Ali Shirazi, Haji Mohammed Usman Malkani and other Shirazi brothers accused the PPP leadership of using government machinery, vehicles and musclemen to “influence and harass” voters in support of Mr Tappi.

The Shirazis, who emerged on political scene of Thatta in 1985, are considered archrivals of the PPP and reportedly enjoy strong influence in the politics of Thatta.

In 2008 elections, they were with the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and after a short-lived honeymoon with the PPP they parted ways with it when Mr Tappi was fielded by the PPP from one of the provincial assembly constituencies.

Highlighting the reason for coming out so soon from the PPP fold, Shafqat Shirazi said that the people of the district were their supporters and they had refused to support the PPP because of fielding of an ‘outsider’ from their district.

Replying to a question, he said that they had also written a letter to the election commission and the chief justice to draw their attention towards the alleged misuse of government machinery to rig the coming elections.

He claimed despite their protest against removal of posters and banners of their candidates, the commission and the caretaker administration did not swing into action for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.

He also claimed that Haji Usman Malkani, who was contesting from their group against Mr Tappi had been threatened by an SSP of dire consequences.