HYDERABAD:  Commenting on the successful holding of a public rally by the ruling Pakistan People Party in Hyderabad on Monday, analyst Rashid Chanda said the objective of the rally was to show its strength.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, he said PPP wanted to give a message to the nationalists and other opposition parties that its supporters have accepted the new Sindh Local Government Ordinance and that was duly reflected by the large participation of the people of the area in the rally.

He congratulated all the party members on holding a successful rally despite some threats from the nationalist parties and attacks at their homes.

‘PPP rally in Hyderabad’

The support for the new Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance 2012 came from people from all over Sindh who flocked to Hyderabad. The boisterous crowd danced to political songs and eagerly responded to the slogans about the Bhuttos.

Their presence sent a message to the nationalists and Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) who had declared in a vehement campaign against the PPP that anyone who attended the meeting would be a traitor of Sindh. The security threats, even expressed by the inspector general of police, had little if any effect on the crowd which even trampled barbed wires and deluged the spot under the stage.

Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, federal ministers Qamaruz Zaman Kaira, Amin Fahim and Moula Bux Chandio, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh Assembly speaker Nisar Khuhro and ministers as well as PPP senators, MNAs and MPAs addressed the meeting.

Former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said his sacrifice for premiership strengthened the state institutions as the Supreme Court also recognized the immunity to the President.

“I believe that my sacrifice did not go in vain,” Gilani said referring to the recent letter written by the government to the Swiss Court, which mentioned immunity to the President in accordance with the Constitution and was also approved by the Supreme Court.

He criticized Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who wrongly perceived the fictional character ‘Ali Baba and 40 thieves’ and was comparing it with the government. He said instead, Ali Baba was a pious man who had apprehended the thieves.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Political Affairs Maula Bux Chandio, Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar joined the former prime minister at the stage.

Chief minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh information minister Sharjeel Memon, provincial minister Agha Siraj Durrani, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khoro and a large number of women parliamentarians were also present.

All the leaders inspite of sitting on the chairs, sat down at the mat spread over the stage, thus giving a humble message of expressing solidarity with the audience comprising common people.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the power of masses always supported the Bhuttos due to their vision for the uplift of common man. He said today’s mammoth rally in support of new Local Bodies Bill reflected the success of PPP’s vision.

He too criticized Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif for trying to misguide people through his statement that the new Bill would result into division of Sindh. He said this would protect the rights of common man.

Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khoro said the leaders and workers of PPP were never hesitant for any sacrifice for the country and party.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said ‘political orphans’ always hatched conspiracies against the PPP. He said Sindh would not be left into the hands of money-grabbing mafias.

Sindh Food Minister Qadir Khan Magsi dilated upon the quality vision of PPP which was a source of a strong bond among the people from different parts of the country.

Provincial Minister Agha Siraj Durrani said PPP had developed the administrative system with a dedicated effort of two years and said it would welcome feedback from the masses in this regard. He said those opposing the Sindh Local Bodies Bill had no idea about its effectiveness.

A public resolution was passed in favour of new Local Bodies Bill saying that the people of Sindh completely support it.