Grand opposition alliance finally comes into being

PML-F’s Pir Sadruddin Shah to head Grand Democratic Alliance and Qaumi Awami Tehreek leader Ayaz Latif Palejo appointed its spokesperson

Karachi

After hectic rounds of meetings, the opposition political parties in Sindh finally announced on Saturday the formation of a “Grand Democratic Alliance” with Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s Pir Sadruddin Shah its chief and Qaumi Awami Tehreek leader Ayaz Latif Palejo its spokesperson.

Sadruddin Shah made the announcement at a press briefing at his home after a meeting of opposition parties that lasted two hours.

The meeting was held at the Kingri House, presided over by PML-F chief Pir Pagara Sibgatullah Shah Rashdi.

Those who attended the meeting included former Sindh chief ministers Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Ghous Ali Shah, and Liaquat Jatoi; Ayaz Palejo; Sindh United Party chief Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah; Sadruddin Shah; former home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza; Hakim Baloch; and Shah Mohammad Shah.

Pagara accused the Pakistan People’s Party of pushing Sindh to brink of disintegration.

“We demand that Rangers should be deployed with full powers for the eradication of terrorism in the province,” he said.

He added that the people of Sindh had breathed a sigh of relief following the paramilitary force’s crackdown on terrorists and other criminals.

Arbab Ghulam Rahim demanded that the PPP should form a committee to investigate its atrocities against opposition parties.  “How can an IGP who is released on bail manage the law and order affairs of the province?” he questioned.

Ayaz Latif Palejo said the government’s incompetence had compelled the opposition parties to form a grand alliance.

Liaquat Jatoi said the federal government had turned a blind eye to the corruption and law and order problem in Sindh. He demanded that an operation should be conducted across the province.

Zulfiqar Mirza said the entire Sindh was in a state of lawlessness and all opposition political heavyweights had assembled to save thee province and take a stand against the PPP government

The participants of the meeting demanded that the provincial government should be removed from power and replaced with a caretaker set-up.

Later, Palejo told reporters that the alliance had been formed to fight against corruption, terrorism, extremism and poor governance in Sindh.

He added that the alliance would promote the unity and integrity of Sindh and peace and harmony in the entire country.

He said the alliance would expose the corruption of the provincial government.

Palejo said the alliance would soon stage public meetings and mobilise the masses for improvement in the agricultural sector and work with growers to increase the prices of sugar, rice, cotton, and other crops.

Maintaining that the 2013 general elections were rigged, Palejo said the alliance demanded the formation of an impartial election commission and the unseating of all those who were involved in it.

He said the alliance’s other agenda was working for the promotion of the Sindhi language and culture and conducting a census so that the influx of others into the province could be stopped and its indigenous people given their due rights. Replying to a question, Palejo said alleged gangster Uzair Baloch should be produced before a court and punished if found guilty.

PML-F, JI join hands

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq met Pir Pagara at the Kingri House on Saturday, where both leaders decided to join hands against the PPP.

Pagara announced that his party would support the JI in its upcoming campaign against poverty and corruption.   Haq praised the services of the Pagara family for the country.