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Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
The issue of a Mohajir province has been raised just to take revenge from the Pakistan Peoples Party for its bold stand to create a Seraiki province, stated President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House on Thursday.
Addressing PPP lawmakers of the Sindh Assembly, President Zardari said that the government wants to see south Punjab thrive, but some people, including Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif have created the new issue of a Mohajir province. He said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) did not want the division of Sindh and the party has taken a clear stand.
Zardari also criticised Sindhi nationalists for their contacts with the PML-N, and said that Nawaz Sharif was misguiding them.
About the proposal to carve out a separate province in south Punjab, he said, I once again want to clarify here that it is not an election stunt but based on solid political reasons.
Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that during the meeting, as the president started reviewing the performance of the MPAs in their constituencies, some MPAs complained that PPP ministers were not serious about fixing problems faced by their voters. Our ministers have no time to meet us and resolve our issues, Najamuddin Abro said.
He said that whenever they visit provincial ministers they refuse to meet them.
MPA Pitanber Sehwani diverted the presidents attention toward his (Zardaris) directives issued to the chief minister regarding forced conversion and a five per cent government job quota for minorities. Sir, I had requested legislation against forced conversion in 2010. You had issued directives to the CM, but all in vain, he said.
The president formed a four-member committee of Jam Mahtab Dahar, Anwar Mahar, Dr Sikandar Mandhro and Jam Tamachi Unar to hear MPA grievances and present a periodic report on the performance of various ministries.
Zardari touched on the political situation, party policy, the fight against militancy, election reforms, a neutral caretaker set-up, poverty alleviation, the economic situation and Chicago summit. He said Nato supplies would reopen on the recommendation of the defence committee.
Pagara calls on President Zardari
PML-F leader Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi (Pir Pagara) called on President Zardari at Bilawal House and had lunch with him. Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani accompanied the pir and no other member from his party attended. According to the presidents spokesperson, the current political situation and coalition matters were discussed. Sources said that the president stressed an election alliance with the PML-F. But no decision was made. Pir Pagara invited the president to Kingri House as well. This was a first meeting between President Zardari and Pir Pagara after the death of Shah Mardan Shah (Pir Pagara VII).
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1[SUP]st[/SUP], 2012.
