News
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Nawaz Sharif says he will never allow bifurcation of Sindh* PML-N chief says provincial status right of Bahawalpur
* Distributes cheques among families of missing persons
SHIKARPUR/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday said he had no objection over any bifurcation of Punjab, but he would never allow the same for Sindh.
Addressing a public rally in Shikarpur, he said he would never speak of any possible bifurcation of Sindh, even if President Asif Ali Zardari continued talking about bifurcation of Punjab.
He said restoration of Bahawalpur’s provincial status was a right of the people of the area, and complained that his endeavors for provincial status of Bahawalpur were being undermined by propaganda against him. He berated the rulers for doing nothing for the country, saying, “President Zardari did nothing even for the province of Sindh in the last four years.”
Sharif said he was the first political leader to reach hospital on Benazir Bhutto’s death, adding that those accompanying her had deserted her at the time of her death. “Those who deserted her are ministers and advisers today,” he said, adding, “It is sad that despite Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani being in power, the killers of Benazir Bhutto have not been arrested.” He urged the masses to support the PML-N in the coming general elections.
Sharif also participated in a ceremony held to distribute cheques of financial assistance among families of 101 missing persons at the Punjab House. Names of the heirs who got cheques were short-listed by Defence of Human Rights Pakistan Chairperson Amna Masood Janjua. Addressing the participants at the ceremony, the PML-N chief said the missing persons’ issue needed to be resolved. Missing persons should be produced before courts and allowed to meet their families, he added.
Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan appreciated Janjua’s efforts for rights of missing persons. He said the PML-N had raised the missing persons’ issue in parliament during Musharraf era.
Janjua pointed out that families of missing persons were running out of resources and appreciated the PML-N for providing them financial support. She said families of 11 missing persons, who disappeared five years ago, had been given cheques of Rs 100,000 each, while others were handed over cheques of Rs 50,000 each.
Senators Raja Zafarul Haq, Abdul Qadir Baloch, Pervaiz Rashid and Ishaq Dar, and MNAs Hanif Abbassi and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, PML-N leaders assured the families of missing persons that their party will continue its struggle until their loved ones were recovered. The leaders said the relatives of missing persons would be fully supported. They vowed to raise the issue at every available forum. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk