News
Monday, September 03, 2012
LG polls in Sindh before general election: ZardariPPP, partners will jointly contest polls
* President says non-democratic elements want to pitch PPP against its allies
* Action will be taken against party leaders giving statements against coalition partners
KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and its allies would jointly contest the next general election and give “a stunning defeat” to the opponents.
He said this while chairing a meeting of the Pakistan People Party’s (PPP) senior leaders from Sindh at the Bilawal House.
Zardari said local government elections would be held in Sindh before the general election. He set up a committee headed by the Sindh chief minister in that regard and said an ordinance will be issued if needed.
He said the reservations of the MQM regarding local government system would be removed and disciplinary action would be taken against PPP leaders giving statements against allied parties.
Zardari said the government would ensure peace and tranquillity in Sindh, including Karachi, and problems of the people would be resolved so that the party could go to the court of the people with fulfilled commitments. He said that in the last four years, the government had done a lot for the country and the masses and that whatever was yet to be done, would be accomplished in the remaining period.
Sources said the meeting reviewed differences with the MQM over local government system, poor law and order, kidnapping of people, including Hindus in Sindh, and PPP opponents joining the PML-N.
Sources said some ministers in their report to the president claimed that the PML-N, even by gathering all the PPP opponents on a single platform, would not be able to defeat the PPP in the general election.
The president said that by following the policy of reconciliation, the PPP government would for the first time complete its tenure of five years and that the credit for it went to the party and its leadership. He said the party had proved that it could successfully run democracy. All the conspiracies of the opponents had been foiled in the past and their machinations would not work in future as well, Zardari said.
The president reiterated that no compromise would be made on restoration of complete law and order and protection of lives and property of the citizens in the port city. "No comprise would be made in this regard," the president said.
While condemning the incidents of violence in Karachi, he emphasised that criminals and all those involved in disturbing peace and stability in the city should be tackled with an iron fist regardless of their political affiliations.
The president advised the party’s ministers, MPAs and office-bearers to reach out to the people, especially in the far-flung areas in Sindh, and enhance contacts with voters of their respective constituencies to address their issues as part of preparations for the forthcoming general election.
The meeting also discussed current political situation, matters related to coalition, local bodies election in Sindh, developmental issues, flood situation and the law and order situation in the province, particularly in Karachi.
The Sindh chief minister briefed the meeting about the steps being taken to maintain law and order in Karachi, including equipping the law enforcing agencies with modern tools to fight criminals in an effective manner.
He also apprised the president about the Saturday's meeting between the PPP Sindh core committee and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Those who were present during the meeting included Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazharul Haq, Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, Murad Ali Shah, Rafique Engineer, Abdul Qadir Patel and Rashid Hussain Rabbani. Law Minister Farooq H Naek was also present during the meeting. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk