SUKKUR, July 14: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim failed to resolve a political dispute between Mahars and Lunds at a three-hour meeting with elders of the two groups on Thursday. The chief minister met the elders of the groups at the FFC rest house in Mirpur Mathelo. The meeting was attended by Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mahar, Federal Minister Raja Khan Mahar, Chakkar Khan Bozdar, Rahim Bux Bozdar, former District Nazim Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, adviser to the prime minister Khalid Khan Lund, Sindh Irrigation Minister Nadir Akmal Leghari and others.

Both the groups presented their point of view.

Khalid Lund demanded that the seats of the naib nazim of Ghotki and nazims of Daharki, Ubauro and Mirpur Mathelo talukas should be given to them because they enjoyed the support of people in those areas.

The Mahar group expressed their willingness to give the seats of nazims of Daharki and Ubauro to Lunds but said the seats of nazim of Mirpur Mathelo and naib nazim of Ghotki should be given to them.

Later, speaking at a press conference here, the chief minister said the Mahars and Lunds would contest the polls in their respective constituencies peacefully. However, he made it clear that the government would not support any group and the elections would be independent and transparent.

He denied an allegation of the PPP that his visits to various areas were aimed at mustering support for the polls. He said being the chief minister he was visiting every constituency to review the law and order situation.

Later, briefing the chief minister, Sindh Irrigation Secretary Ashfaq Memon said the Qadirpur loop bund and the Aqil Agani bund were under pressure.

He said that on Thursday, water discharge at upstream Guddu Barrage was 380,000 cusecs and 345,000 cusecs at downstream, at Sukkur Barrage upstream, water discharge was 495,401 cusecs and 440,110 cusecs at downstream and at Kotri Barrage upstream, water discharge was 337,000 cusecs and 275440 cusecs at downstream.