LAHORE, March 17: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad says the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has put “in abeyance” its demand for a new Constitution replacing the 1973’s after the amendments made by President Musharraf to reform it.
The 1973 Constitution, as amended by President Pervez Musharraf, must be adhered to. However, a dialogue should be held to evolve national consensus on controversial issues, he said while talking to a group of reporters at the new Lahore airport on Monday.
Dr Ibad, who was a leader of the MQM before taking over as Sindh governor after the formation of a coalition in the province, said the Muttahida’s viewpoint on the 1940 Resolution had been misinterpreted by various political circles.
According to him, the MQM had sought provincial autonomy according to the “spirit” of the said resolution, not the very enforcement of the resolution passed before the emergence of the Islamic republic on the global map.
Rejecting suggestions to the contrary, the governor said the form of government provided in the Constitution, even after being amended through the LFO, was parliamentary. He said the president had introduced various changes as he deemed it fit and the system must be allowed to continue. In response to a question, he said all federating units should hold talks with the federal government on the need for more reservoirs to meet water requirements of all provinces. He said the situation should be analysed properly and decisions taken according to the available resources. He was asked about the justification for Sindh Assembly’s resolution against the Greater Thal Canal project the Punjab government wants to set up to meet its requirements, and its consistent aversion to the Kalabagh dam the Punjab thinks will benefit all federating units.
Dr Ishratul Ibad said all provinces faced water shortages and thus more resources should be explored.
Replying to a question, the governor said the situation in Sindh was very complex but he and the chief minister were handling it through mutual cooperation. The law and order situation, he said, had improved remarkably as a result of the steps taken by the new government.
He said provinces had reservations about the system of district governments and Sindh had given its proposals to improve their working. In response to a question, he said Mr Altaf Husain would himself decide on when he should return to the country. However, he said in his opinion he should come back.