'Dual LG system' a conspiracy to divide Sindh: Nawaz
15 September, 2012
KARACHI: President of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, on Friday said that a conspiracy was being hatched for the division of Sindh by enforcing 'dual local government system' in the province. During a press conference, Nawaz said that division of Sindh was not acceptable, adding that enforcement of the local government system in the province was a first step towards it. He said that all decisions should be taken with consultations and the Sindh government should leave the issue of LG system and must focus on helping the flood-stricken people. He said, "It's a discriminatory system enforced by the PPP without debate in parliament and consultation with us. Two separate systems have been introduced in one province. What to call it if it's not the division of Sindh?" Nawaz said that his party would not only oppose the new local government ordinance at every level but would fully back the forces that were agitating against it. The PML-N president said he was informed that Hindus were being forced to leave the country. He urged Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Parsi communities not to leave the country, saying that his party would protect the rights of minorities. He said the country belongs to the minorities as much as it belongs to the Muslims. Extending support to them, Sharif said that Pakistan was incomplete without the people belonging to other religions. Nawaz said that they wanted to make alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was insisting for a meeting so he had directed Ishaq Dar to meet them, the PML-N president added. Nawaz also visited the ill-fated garment factory in Baldia Town where a tragic fire claimed around 260 lives. He announced Rs 300,000 for each victim's family on behalf of the Punjab government. Describing the fire as the most tragic incident in the history of the country, the PML-N leader said neither effective arrangements were made to control the fire nor there was any coordination between different institutions. He said that the relief and rescue operations at the tragic scene were not up to the mark, adding that the firefighters should have been fast in action. He assured the bereaved families of his full cooperation. Nawaz said everyone responsible for the Baldia accident should be punished without any discrimination. He said whether it would be the factory owners or government officers, action should be taken against all those responsible for the fire. Nawaz strongly criticised the government for its lack of interest to protect the lives of the people. He said the government was more concerned about its own safety than the masses. He regretted that every day people are being killed across the country but no one was worried about it. Expressing concern over the havoc caused by the recent heavy downpour in the province, Nawaz said that the provincial government should concentrate on rehabilitating those who are affected by the rains rather than on issues like local government system. "The people of Sindh have not completely recovered from last year's floods and they are now facing problems because of this year's monsoon season," he said. Nawaz said the profane film which presented a distorted view of Islam was a highly deplorable and provocative step. He said that the despicable film was not only heart-wrenching for the Muslims of the world, but was a great setback to the humanism. End.
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