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PPP seeking ways to restore its positition
June 15, 2012
After heartbreaking murder of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has almost completed its 5 years constitutional term but it has paid a lot for that. President Asif Ali Zardari has adopted policy of reconciliation that brought its coalition partners much closer towards government even having lots of differences over certain issues. The PPP government has allocated lots of funds in terms of development especially in Lyari, Kemari and Malir areas of Karachi.
These districts were neglected during every term in the past by the ruling political parties. The residents of these areas are of the view that these areas were not developed like other areas of the city, whether it was a local government system or a commissioners system. These areas have more problems than existing in other areas of the city in the spheres of health centers, educational institution, play grounds, roads, bridges, water, sewerage and unemployment.
While backward areas are present in the Center and East districts of Karachi, it could be a matter of pleasure if every area was developed like each other during every term of any ruling party. The PPP have become agitated over the announcements of Baloch people living in areas of Lyari, Kemari and Malik that they would not further associate themselves with the PPP.
To recover its former political position, the PPP has got the support of budget and allocated more development funds for those areas that are under control of PPP. The people from these areas used to come to assemblies as members of national and provincial assemblies. The political esteem of PPP affected a lot after Lyari operation and PPP can recover its former position in Lyari by formulating various development projects. The PPP would use significant formulas to improve its position and make certain of its better future by announcing development projects, creating employment opportunities, to make old colleagues agree, and granting loan in agricultural areas and by providing subsidy at various items.
If one reviews the performance of PPP during last 4 years then it would be revealed that it has disappointed general masses including the sincere workers of the party. The deteriorating law and order situation remained the headache for the government across country but Sindh Government particularly could not do anything significant against terrorists especially in the provincial capital Karachi. Whenever terrorists wanted to make violence in the city they did successfully and whenever they wanted to improve the situation, they escaped mutely.
Over 5000 people were killed during the reign of current PPP government. While some 2272 cars, 8830 motorcycles and some 10000 mobile phones were snatched during the on going year 2012 from January till date. Police used to perform its routine patrolling and Rangers alongwith police has accomplished many targeted operation but resulted only in killings, 95 during January, 93 February, 131 during March and 187 during the month of April. So, 679 people have been killed so far, while law enforcement agencies have not taken any single murderer to their custody. During the last month, 173 innocent citizens of Karachi squashed to death. The prominent figure who were gunned down in the month of May included religious scholar Maulana Aslam Sheikhupuri, SP Shah Muhammad, Dr. Dilshad, Mufti Zeeshan, Mufti Danish and Sub Inspector of Rangers Abdul Hameed Chachar.
The deteriorating law and order situation turned city into violence on May 22 when group of terrorists attacked the public rally of the nationalists that was emerged from Lyari and resulted in killings of 16 citizens, while 22 vehicles, 8 shops, 3 houses were put into fire. The 15 years old was broken in 2011 when 1724 people were killed prior to this 1742 people were killed during 1995.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) remained side by side with the PPP in provincial government like collated in the federal government and helped it whenever it was required. The MQM got itself separated from provincial government for 4 times so far and then returned to the government after each turn. What could it be named a reconciliation policy or its own political interest of MQM. According to government sources, current PPP government has not given extra space to the Provincial Ministers. If any Provincial Minister wanted to do something beyond its power then it was pulled out from the Ministry. The PPP has formed a new record by taking back portfolios from 9 Provincial Ministers so far during the current reign. The portfolios were given back from Sassui Palejo, Manzoor Wasan, Sharjeel Memon, Sadiq Memon, Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Akhtar Jadoon, Rafique Engineer, Haji Muzaffar Shujra and Jam Saifullah Dharejo.
The portfolio of Haji Muzaffar Shajra, who was given portfolio of jail, was with withdrawn on the say of powerful minister. However later on the intervention of other ministers he was made Restoraton Minister, Similarly after complaints with Akhtar Jadoon his portfolio of transport was taken back and for some time he also remained a department less minister. The most powerful considered minister Zulfiqar Mirza was also sent on long leave after MQM complaints and his portfolio of home minister was kept with CM Sindh. When matters settled he was made senior minister and given portfolio of Works and Services. Later due to differences with the party Zulfiqar Mirza quit ministry, member ship of Sindh Assembly and party post. Information Minister Sharjeel Memon was also removed for his post for supporting Dr Zulfiqar Mirza. Similarly Jail Minister Sadiq Memon, who belongs from Thatta, was also punished for his support to Zulfiqar Mirza and his portfolio was handed over Ayaz Soomro.
Provincial Minister Rafiq Engineer ministry was taken back and after a while he was given archive ministry. Recently Manzoor Wassan who recently took over Home Ministry was sent on leave and his charge is being kept by CM Sindh. Similarly Sassi Palejo’s ministry of Culture was taken from her as she walked out of Cabinet session when she was not allowed to speak on Zulfiqar Abad city being constructed in district Thatta.
Three departments of Sindh have taken their toll on the ministers, In 4 years 7 ministers and advisors of Information Ministry have been changed, while 5 of Jails and 4 ministers of tourism.
In 2008, when PPP government was elected into power in Sindh the Information Ministry portfolio was given to Shazia Marri after two years Jameel Ahmed Soomro was made advisor to CM Sindh on Information and after 7 months Sharmila Farooqi was given this responsibility. Sharmila had hardly started to understand her responsibilities when it was taken from her and PPP general secretary Sindh Taj Haider was appointed Media Coordinator of Sindh government. He was again replaced by Sharmila Farooqi , who in turn was replaced by Sharjeel Memon. After 6 months Memon was replaced with Shazia Marri again.
Similarly Jail department also remained heavy for ministers, In the beginning Gul Mohammad Kakhrani was made Advisor on Jail. After he was given ticket on the death of MAN Mir Nasrullah Bajrani from Kashmoor the ministry was handed over tot Haji Muzaffar Shahra. Later Home Minisyer Dr Zulfiqar Mirza was given additional charge. After Mirza’s differences with the party Sadiq Memon was handed over the charge. Later Law Minister Ayaz Soomro was given additional Incharge.
The ministry of culture and tourism was one in the beginning but later it was bifurcated. First Ministry of culture was given to Sassi Palejo which was later given to Shazia Marri and after she was given Nutrition Ministry Ayaz Soomro was given additional charge of Ministry of Heritage. After reconciliation with PML-Q the ministry was given to PML-Q Mohammad Ali, which remains with him till now.
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