KARACHI: The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has decided to get their alliance registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan and contest next year’s National Assembly and provincial assembly elections with full force.

The decision was taken at a GDA meeting which was held at the Kingri House here on Sunday with PML-F president Pir Pagara in the chair.

It was attended besides others by former chief ministers of Sindh Ghous Ali Shah and Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim; Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, who is the president of the Sindh National Front; Muzaffar Hussain Shah; National Peoples Party chief and Federal Minister Murtaza Jatoi; Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and his MPA son Hasnain Mirza; PPP- Workers president Dr Safdar Abbasi and Munawwar Abbasi.

To hold public meeting in Sukkur on Nov 26

The meeting also announced that it would hold a public meeting in Sukkur on Nov 26 to apprise the people of the poor governance of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.

It also demanded strict accountability for Zardari’s party than PML-N and highlighted the need for controlling corrupt bureaucracy in Sindh which was extending full support to the PPP.

The GDA, which comprises Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, National Peoples Party, Qaumi Awami Tehreek, Sindh National Front, Peoples Party (Workers) and some other likeminded political groups, decided to get the alliance registered with the Election Commission.

It also decided to form a steering committee headed by Pir Pagara and constituted a coordination committee to contact other political parties and invite them to join the alliance.

The meeting also appointed Ayaz Latif Palejo and Sardar Raheem as secretary general and central information secretary of the alliance respectively.

Pir Pagara told the media that the meeting considered in detail the ongoing political developments in the country, which was passing through a tough phase.

“It can only be overcome when all sincere political forces unite and compete in the upcoming elections together,” he said.

Ayaz Palejo said clash of institutions was not in the country’s best interest.

He added that courts should take action against dishonest individuals and the NAB should also tighten its grip on corrupt bureaucracy.

In reply to a question, he said the GDA would be registered with the Election Commission under the chairmanship of Pir Pagara.

He expressed hope that the alliance would win the elections and form its government in the province to help the people get rid of the PPP government.

“Everything in the province is on sale from medicines to jobs under the PPP government,” Mr Palijo claimed.

In reply to another question, he said they wanted accountability across the board without any discrimination and added that the bureaucracy in Sindh was supportive of the ‘corrupt’ PPP.

The GDA information secretary said federal ministers Murtaza Jatoi and Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi were ready to resign from their posts but the time of their resignation would be decided by the alliance.

Former home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza said the province was being sold in pieces to a known real estate tycoon of the country.

He added that he would not let anyone destroy Sindh and all the culprits would have to face him.

In reply to a question, he said people were aware of their rights and wanted to be served.

“Their vote is not for sale. If it had not been true, Zardari league would have won from Badin,” Mr Mirza said.

He said both accountability and elections were inevitable for the country, and his wife and son would resign from their National Assembly and provincial assembly seats at an appropriate time.

PPP-Workers chief Dr Safdar Abbasi said Asif Zardari had nothing to do with the PPP, which had been restricted to Sindh only due to its insulting attitude towards workers.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2017