KARACHI: The Sindh United Party (SUP) on Monday joined the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) — an umbrella of different political parties representing opposition in Sindh — vowing a joint struggle against “corrupt rule” of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the province and save its “geographical identity” that they said had been on stake for different reasons and challenges.

Addressing a joint press conference at Functional House, leaders from both sides said that the decision of the fresh alliance emerged after weeks of consultations and it was decided with consensus among all ranks of the two platforms that they should join hands for larger interests of the people of Sindh.

The isolated struggle for the same cause, they said, would only benefit the “anti-democratic forces” that had been exploiting the provincial resources for the past 15 years.

Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi of the GDA and Syed Zain Shah of the SUP also signed a 10-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the fresh start.

Both parties sign 10-point MoU

The GDA leaders welcomed the SUP in the fold and said that their addition would boost the morale of the workers in Sindh and lead to better results on all political fronts.

GDA’s Sadaruddin Rashdi said that a strong army could ensure the integrity and solidarity of the country. He said that it was not the time of holding elections but to save the country.

He said that the PPP had always come to the rescue of the then government of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

“We shall stand steadfast in protection of geographical boundaries of Sindh,” GDA leader Sardar Raheem said while reading out the MoU signed between the two parties.

“We have decided that from GDA platform, we shall always be watchful and ensure protection of Indus River, Indus Delta and share of Sindh in water resources as per universal rights of lower riparian according to international law.”

“We shall strive for the homogeneous demographic stability of Sindh and protection of its democratic right to govern and rule as per law,” he added.

“We stand for preservation, promotion and development of Sindhi language and its acceptance as a national language along with other regional languages and Urdu,” he stated.

“We will struggle for the rights of ownership and control of all federating units over their resources to be recognised and accepted. Similarly, protection and promotion of cultural heritage, religious tolerance and equal rights for minorities would also be among our priorities.”

The two sides vowed to strive for strengthening rule of law and good governance and oppose practice of oppression and nepotism and ensure equitable share of Sindh in all federal institutions and the right to be an integral part of all essential decision making at the federal level.

“We support and demand implementation of the international protocols of climate change and protection of lands, lives, and waters of Sindh from the prevalent adverse environment of pollution which is essentially damaging the interests of the people of Sindh,” the MoU said.

Besides Mr Rashdi and Zain Shah, SUP chairman Jalal Mehmood Shah, PPP-Workers Dr Safadr Abbasi, Hasnain Mirza, Roshin Buriro, Khwaja Naveed Ameen and others were also present.

Published in Dawn, january 3th, 2023