MITHI, July 7: Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, named by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League as the next prime minister, filed his nomination papers for the August 18 by-election for National Assembly's NA-229 Tharparkar seat , and immediately kicked off his campaign with a promise to promote religious tolerance and harmony in the country.
Apparently keeping in mind the profile of the constituency - a large number of voters in Tharparkar belong to the minority Hindu and Christian communities - Mr Aziz said that Muslims, Hindus, Christians and people of other communities were equal citizens and enjoyed equal rights. He called upon people of all communities to join hands and work together for the progress of the country.
The Tharparkar seat, said to be safe for Pakistan Muslim League because of the popularity and influence of Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim and other Arbabs, has been vacated by MNA Arbab Zakaullah to enable Mr Aziz to make a smooth transition for the world of technocrats to the realm of parliamentary politics.
A public meeting held to launch Mr Aziz's election campaign was addressed by Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, federal minister Ijazul Haq, Raees Munir Ahmed, Khalid Ahmed Lund, Naseer Khan and Ghaus Bakhsh Mahar, Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, Arbab Ataullah, Arbab Zakaullah and other notables, including leaders of minority communities.
Chaudhry Shujaat said that poverty was rampant in Thar and not much had been done for the progress of the area in the past. He said he would ensure that the area was brought at par with developed regions of the country and people got basic amenities. He said that as proposed by Chief Minister Arbab Rahim a dam would be built in Nagarparkar.
Referring to the issue of 'enemy property', the property left behind by the Hindus who had migrated to India in 1971, he said the issue would be resolved on the lines of suggestions made by the chief minister and other speakers.
Mr Aziz said that Thar had huge coal deposits, the 10th largest in the world, and efforts were being made to exploit the resource so that economic condition and quality of life of the Tharis could be improved.
He said that infrastructure in the area would be developed and he would try to establish as many schools and hospitals as possible. Earlier, Dr Arbab Rahim unveiled a development package for Tharparkar and a series of measures to improve the plight of the people of the areas.
The town of Mithi wore a festive look to mark the filing of nomination papers by Mr Aziz. People danced to Sindhi folk tunes at Bajir Mohalla, the main entrance of the city. The town was decorated with colourful banners and flags of Muslim League and Muttahida Qaumi Movement which also had set up reception camps. Mr Aziz filed his papers in the court of the returning officer for NA-229, Ghulam Mehdi Sangi.