Tuesday, August 4, 2009

1.3mn IDPs entered Sindh; only 1,300 returned

DADU: Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party (STP) chairman Dr Qadir Magsi has claimed that 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Malakand and Fata had entered Sindh, but only 1,300 returned home.

Speaking at a rally in Mehar town on Tuesday, Dr Magsi said the Sindh government had registered only 1,300 IDPs who had been sent back.

Dr Magsi accused the Sindh government of turning a blind eye to the ‘influx of people’. ‘A large number of immigrants had entered the province from South Asian countries, including Burma and Bangladesh after 1954. They should be sent back.’

He alleged that the People’s Party government had betrayed Sindhis after winning votes in the name of Benazir Bhutto. ‘The PPP has given a free hand to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for occupying government plots,’ he added.

Dr Magsi said the PPP had reneged on its pledge to repeal the 17th Amendment.

He said Sindhis had been turned into slaves after ‘usurpation of their resources’.

HUNGER STRIKE AGAINST OIL COMPANY: Some 50 people including growers, socials workers and jobless youths continued their hunger strike unto death on eighth day near Zamzama camp of the BHP oil company on Tuesday, demanding both skilled and unskilled jobs. A demonstration was also held near the main camp office of the company.

Leader of the Organising Committee, Jobless Youths Association, Mujeebur Rehman Panhwar alleged that a few days back 20 people belonging to Punjab and Karachi were appointed at the Zamzama gas field without advertising the posts. He said that even the cook and watchmen at the BHP camp belong to Punjab, while locals were neglected.

He said that recently 13 local employees were sacked and feared that more would be removed and replaced by people from other provinces.

Another leader, Dr Abdul Jabbar Babar alleged that handful officials had occupied main positions in the BHP company who were preparing policies against the local people.

Ayaz Ahmed, a leader of locals said that skin diseases were spreading among the villagers surrounding the Zamzama Gas Field, Johi because of the chemicals.

He alleged the major portion of the budget was used in other parts of country while these areas were neglected in the development projects.

Locals Waseem Ahmed, Ghulam Nabi, Aslam appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to take notice otherwise they will observe hunger strike in Garhi Khuda Bux.

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