Protesters against reservoir in Thar Coal area reject CM’s committee for talks

Murad Ali Shah tells media in Kandhkot there is a possibility of an alliance with MQM

SUKKUR: The villagers resumed their hunger strike and protest against the reservoir in Thar Coal Area on Tuesday while their leaders, Leela Ram and others, rejected the committee formed by Syed Murad Ali Shah for talks with them.  The protestors alleged that the PPP leaders wanted to displace thousands of inhabitants of the 12 villages of Thar Coal Area. 

The protesting villagers, including women and children, vowed to continue their protest. They demanded of the government to change the site of the dam in the light of the studies carried out by the environmentalists and water experts.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, while talking to the media in village Fakeer-jo-Dhoro on Tuesday said that the Sindh government was committed to providing all the basic amenities to the people of Thar. 

Replying to a question, the chief minister said he had formed a three-member committee comprising some senior PPP leaders to hold talks with the protesting villagers of Gorano village. 

He hoped that the villagers protesting against the alleged  hazardous reservoir in Thar Coal Area would be convinced to end their protest in the best interests of Thar.  Syed Murad Ali Shah categorically said that the site of the dam would never be changed. 

The chief minister said he would visit Thar to review the ongoing development work in the district. He expressed his dismay over the federal government’s failure to announce the NFC Award. "The 9th NFC Award has nothing to do with the census, and the federal government should award it forthwith," he added. 

CM talks to media in Kandhkot: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah talking to the media in Kandhkot on Tuesday said there was a possibility of an alliance with MQM Pakistan, but he also said that there would be no compromise on the law and order of Karachi. He paid glowing tributes to the services of General Raheel Sharif for the country and the nation.