KARACHI: 3 political parties leave Loya Jirga

Published September 7, 2006

KARACHI, Sept 6: The representatives of Pakistan People’s Party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Tehreek-i-Insaf and National Transport Ittehad have announced their disassociation from the Pakhtoon Action Committee (Loya Jirga) accusing its president Shahi Syed of misusing the platform.

The Loya Jirga, which was formed to strive for solving the problems of katchi abadies, check prejudiced conspiracy against transporters and facilitating Pukhtoon and other oppressed nationalities in getting passport and identity cards and enrolment in voters list, was being used by its chairman Shahi Syed to take political mileage for his own party.

Addressing a joint press conference at Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, Israr Shah Miswani of PML-N, flanked by Dawa Khan Sabir of TI, Ashraf Naz of PPP and Salim Khan Bangash of National Transport Itthead, and Yusuf Dad of JUI said that although it was decided to expand the membership of the Jirga by giving representation to other political, social, religious and tarnsporters organizations, but only those were given membership who were recommended by ex-nazim of the Site Town while names of other parties were ignored.

He said at the time of trial and tribulation of people during recent monsoon rains no one paid visit to katchi abadis and goths to express solidarity and guide them in overcoming their miseries.

Announcing their parting of ways from the Jirga, Mr Miswani said that they had decided now to serve the oppressed people without any discrimination from their respective platforms.