HYDERABAD, March 6: Speakers at a Sindh Qaumi Conference held here on Sunday night said that a joint struggle is needed for making Pakistan a strong federation with all powers transferred to people.

They said that as per the ideals of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the army had no role in governance.

The conference was organized by the Awami Tehrik in Bhitshah.

AT chief Rasool Bux Palijo, PML-N central information secretary Siddiqul Farooq, MNA Shagufta Jumani, Ayaz Latif Palijo, Pir Mazharul Haq, Afzal Gujjar, Prof Mushtaq Mirani, Jami Chandio, Nazeer Qureshi, Dr Farzana Bari, Farooq Tariq, Yusuf Masti Khan and a host of others spoke on the occasion.

PML-N leader Makhdoom Shahnawaz read out the message of his party leader, Nawaz Sharif.

Mr Palijo said that the people of Sindh wanted to live a respectable life because they had joined Pakistan after an agreement that they would be sovereign.

“We were not conquered by anyone at the time of creation of the country. It was an agreement which was signed and is still on record in the shape of resolutions of March 23, 1940 and April 12, 1946. It was decided that no alien would rule the state as is happening now”, he said.

He said that Pakistan was not the same country which was founded by the Quaid-i-Azam.

“It is against the vision of Jinnah and it is illegal and unconstitutional because it defies our agreement”, he said.

He called upon people to get rid of generals through a democratic struggle and urged them to unite because it was 21st century and generals could not be stronger than people.

PML-N leader Siddiqul Farooq exhorted people to unite against the tyranny.

He said that the country was passing through a critical juncture as fighting was going on in tribal areas while operation was being launched against Balochistan.

“The rulers want to deprive you of your identity as they didn’t have any respect for the Constitution which ensures rights for people, jobs, prosperity and a democratic system”, he said.

Ayaz Latif Palijo said that this was not a mere gathering of people or a crowd but it reflected continuity of struggles launched during different periods.

He criticized those who had supported the Kalabagh dam and added that the “Pir” should come here to see that people’s struggle had led to shelving of water project.

MNA Shagufta Jumani said that the country was facing a civil war-like situation as operations were going on in tribal areas and Balochistan.

She said that on the one hand the land of Sindh was being rendered barren because of blockade of water while on the other people were being gunned down after being dubbed as dacoits.

“No dam is acceptable to us because Sindh will be destroyed if it is constructed”, she said.

Prof Mushtaq Mirani said that Minar-i-Pakistan bear testimony to the fact that Sindh would be sovereign in Pakistan.

“We should stop thinking that parliament or the Supreme Court would ensure these rights. We can only get our historic rights by giving sacrifices”, he said.

Yusuf Masti Khan said it was a long drawn out battle against capitalists, Chaudhris, Waderas and generals and would meet its logical end.

He said that 59 years down the road we could not decide what type of governance the country needed.

Farooq Tariq said that the MQM was working in league with the general and it was part of all crimes committed by him.

Dr Farzana Bari disagreed that the people of Punjab were responsible for miseries of Sindh and said that the ruling clique was the enemy of the two provinces.

SHARIF’S MESSAGE: Paying tributes to Rasool Bux Palijo for holding the conference, Nawaz Sharif in his message, said that controversies between federation and federating units had increased because the general was using armed forces against the people of the country in Balochistan and tribal areas.

“The life and property of people are insecure, joblessness and price-hike had increased while corruption and injustices had surpassed all limits”, he said.

He said that Pakistan’s dignity had been endangered and all the problems were the result of constitutional deviation and ouster of democratic government.