By By Zeeshan Azmat
The 46-day long march started by the Awami Tehreek (AT) on October 8 from Kandhkot culminated in Karachi on Sunday with a huge gathering on Zaibunissa Street, where speakers delivered fiery speeches criticizing the government and the United States.
The gathering, which was scheduled to initially take place at the Karachi Press Club but owing to the sheer numbers had to be relocated to Zaibunissa Street near Rex Complex, Saddar, was addressed by the leaders of nationalist and religious parties, including veteran politician Rasool Bux Palijo.
Palijo, in his speech to the ‘Awami Long March’, criticised the government for taking dictation from the United States and asked the government to control and run the country’s affairs on its own or quit.
The senior politician also asked the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) beneficiaries to face charges in the courts.
“Killing people is a greater sin than corruption, and those who are saying that they were not involved in corruption should face murder charges in the courts,” he said, adding: “it is unfortunate that a few people have taken over the control of the city and they have been given free hand by the authorities sitting in Islamabad.”
Palijo said: “People should understand the issues and problems they are facing at the moment, as our governments have been trying to make this country a US colony. “The US imperials are worse than the British emperors. The US imperial kills even those who support and work for their agenda and the killing of General Ziaul Haq is one such example in this regard.
“Liaquat Ali Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto were among those who had served US. However, no one asked why these leaders were killed and what the motive of their murder was.”
He also quoted several incidents, including the fall of Dhaka as well as interference in Afghanistan, and linked it to the corruption of politicians to protect their own seats. Pointing to the feudals, he said that they were involved in land-grabbing and they also supported anti-social elements in Karachi.
He alleged that former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan had offered weapons to Awami Tehrik (AT) to fight against other groups, but this offer was rejected by the party leadership. “We are peace-loving people and want to solve the issues of the people and not to keep them lingering,” he added.
The Ziabunissa Street was completely packed with hundreds of Sindhi and Baloch nationalist parties’ activists and leaders. Workers of other organisations were also present carrying their respective party flags. The AT long march participants travelled for 46 continuous days to raise awareness among the people to realise their rights as well as for the establishment of a true democratic system based on people’s choice.
Earlier, Central President AT Ayaz Latif Palijo alleged that the people of Sindh were not drawing any benefits from their own natural resources, and claimed that there was no water for the people of the province and the locals have been deprived of basic health and education facilities.
“There is lawlessness in the country, particularly Sindh. The writ of the government is nowhere. We have to fight against all these odds,” he added. Ayaz Palijo also criticised President Zardari, saying that he made lots of promises before taking the charge but failed to deliver any.
Ayaz Palijo, who delivered speeches in Sindhi, Urdu, English and Balochi, said that the people of Sindh want provincial autonomy as per the 1940 Resolution and the natural resources of Sindh should be handed over to its people.
On the occasion, a resolution was approved which demanded for raising Sindh’s admission quota in Karachi-based educational institutions by 80 per cent.
It also demanded for giving Sindhis higher positions in the Armed forces, appointment of Sindhi judges in the High Court as well as inducting a Sindhi-speaking chief secretary and inspector general of police in the province.
Ayaz Palijo asked the participants to observe one minute silence in memory of Shahnawaz Bhutto, Nadir Baloch, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Abdullah Murad.
Shah Muhammad Shah of Sindh Safe Movement said that not a single nationalist took advantage from NRO because “we are fighting for our rights and not for personal benefits”.
President Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Dr Qadir Magsi said that the government never listens to the complaints of poor people, adding: “If the government does not stop this practice, the people would throw them out of power”. Marvi Memon of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid said that provincial autonomy would strengthen the federation.
The representatives of Sindh United Party, Pakistan People’s Party (Shaheed Bhutto Group), Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Jamaat-e-Islami, Sindh National Party and various Baloch and Siraiki organisations also welcomed the rally and extended their support to AT.