PML-N gaining acceptance, recognition in Sindh

 ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ on ‘Monday’

KARACHI: The host of Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ said on Monday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif went back from Karachi without listening to stance of the Sindh government. On the other hand the prime minister did not give the credit of the Karachi Operation to Qaim Ali Shah. Instead of giving it to the People’s Party he praised the administration, while kept for himself the political credit of the operation. The prime minister also rejected the criticism of the People’s Party on Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Shahzeb Khanzada further said that the People’s Party is becoming unpopular in Punjab while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is gaining recognition and acceptance in Sindh. He said the PML-N and Muttahida Qaumi Movement will form governments in two districts of Karachi. He said the stance of the PML-N against the Sindh government with relation to the Rangers is also political and Nawaz Sharif, utilising the benefit, wants to make the most of the benefit from it in the next elections.

Referring to the rape case in Lahore, Shahzeb Khanzada analysed that though the accused in the case of gang rape of 14-year-old girl student have been apprehended but efforts of the chief minister in providing justice to the victims in the case is zero. In view of the past performance of the Punjab police and the chief minister there were little expectations of justice in this case as well.

Analysing the Benazir murder case, Shahzeb Khanzada said the letter of the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon in favour of the fact-finding mission has given rise to certain new questions. Ban Ki-moon has clearly indicated in his letter that the fact-finding mission of the United Nations had not gone beyond its limits.

Incidentally, only yesterday, on the occasion of the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Rahman Malik was demanding to bring to justice the murders of Benazir Bhutto. The head of the UN fact-finding mission had the complaints indicating that the mission had to face most of the hindrances and obstructions from the (then) Interior Minister Rahman Malik.

Meanwhile, Shahzeb Khanzada analysed, referring to the International Journal Economist, that the ever- increasing threat of Daesh might result in improvement of relations between the all-time foes - Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Speaking in the programme Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid, referring to the powers of Rangers, said no problem remains now the Sindh government had demanded for giving 60-day extension in the powers of Rangers under the Anti-terrorism Act, which has been accepted. The prime minister will definitely speak to the chief minister in this regard.

The prime minister could have met and talked to the chief minister but the talks could not be held as the chief minister was not well. Qaim Ali Shah told the prime minister that he was not feeling well and would take rest. He said it is our responsibility whether Qaim Ali Shah’s government is acceptable to us or not. He said the prime minister praised the performance of the people of Qaim Ali Shah’s administration in connection with improvement in the Karachi situation. The prime minister’s admiration of the team of Qaim Ali Shah is actually the praise of the Sindh government. He said all political parties and institutions have contributed towards peace in Karachi.

Leader of the People’s Party Saeed Ghani, while participating in the programme, said the prime minister may give the credit of Karachi Operation to anyone he likes. The PPP is not eager to take the credit of bringing the situation in Karachi to normal. He reminded that the PML-N had been hindering the action against terrorists during the tenure of the PPP, while the People’s Party rendered all out support to the federal government. He said the prime minister cannot relieve himself of any job done by Chaudhry Nisar. If he keeps quite on Chaudhry Nisar’s statements it gives the impression that he agrees with him. It is known about Chaudhry Nisar that he does not care for the prime minister or benefits of the country against his sense of self.

Saeed Ghani said the federation and the Sindh government should sit and talk to solve the differences. This is not a personal war of anyone. The differences are on the way of working. The Karachi Operation should continue and should not become controversial over one’s self esteem. He said the Sindh government’s stance over the Rangers’ powers is according to law and the Constitution.

The courts have not done justice with the People’s Party as it deserved, said Senator Saeed Ghani, adding that whenever the PPP was a complainant, the judgments of the courts were different and again they were different whenever the petitions are filed by the PML-N or any other party. He referred to the case of the holding two offices by General Pervez Musharraf, the judgment of which was different from the case of two offices of Asif Zardari.

Similarly the judgment of the 17th Amendment was different from the judgment of the 18th Amendment. Giving his views MQM leader Haidar Abbas Rizvi said it was being felt that the vacuum created in Lyari and Malir districts would perhaps be filled by the PML-N. There was no permanent vote bank of any political party in these areas since long; therefore, the faces will keep changing there.

He said it is our political and democratic right of demanding funds from the federal and provincial governments. Nothing has been done in Karachi during the last eight to nine years and the situation would be depressing if the federal government did not provide what is its due.

Well-known industrialist Arif Habib said the industrialists in Pakistan had always complained of high prices of electricity. He said it is a welcome announcement of reduction in the prices of electricity for industrial sector. He said regular supply of electricity should also be ensured. He said the cost of production would decrease when the prices of electricity are reduced. He said the seventy percent increase in obtaining credit by the industrial sector is because of obtaining working capital.