GDA, Opposition Leaders Lash Out at PPP in Hyderabad Power Show

They rejected the results of the February 8 elections, and urged the Chief Justice to intervene and void 'rigged' elections 

GDA, Opposition Leaders Lash Out at PPP in Hyderabad Power Show

Accusing it of stealing the public mandate through rigging, leaders from several anti-Pakistan Peoples Party political groups have vowed to prevent the party from forming a government in Sindh.

The leaders gathered under the umbrella of the Grand Democratic Alliance and staged a power show in the form of a large demonstration at Hyderabad Bypass Road in Jamshoro, at the junction of Hyderabad and Jamshoro, the other day.

The protest suspended traffic on the motorway, while business activities were partially suspended in Hyderabad and Jamshoro.

The protest was led by Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) chief Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi and Pir Sadaruddin Shah, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Sindh's Maulana Rashid Memhmood, Jamaat-e-Islami's (JI) Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman of JI, GDA's Dr Fehmida Mirza, Sindh Qaumi Awami Tehreek's Ayaz Latif Palijo, former Sindh chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Saria Banoi among others.

The massive gathering comprised a large contingent of the Hur Jammat, disciples of  Pir Pagara Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi.

They rejected the results of the February 8 general elections, claiming that the PPP had plundered the mandate of the people by rigging the polls. Together with support from relevant quarters, they had plunged the entire system into disarray.

They urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to declare the entire electoral process void and put an end to the current resentment amongst the people across the country. 

They announced to continue their demonstrations until their demands were met.

Pir Sibghatullah Rashidi claimed that he did not run an election campaign because he knew that the results of the elections had been predetermined in favour of PPP leaders.

He, however, clarified that an incorrect perception had been created that they were against the country's armed forces. He added that the polling process had long lost its relevance given the prevalent situation and the corrupt people involved.

Rashidi said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was not allowed to participate in the polls after its electoral symbol, 'Bat', was taken away even though no other party had conducted intra-party polls. He said that Imran Khan was neither a thief nor corrupt adding that the former prime minister may have committed some mistakes in retaining gifts from Toshakhana. 

Qaumi Awami Tahreek chief Ayaz Latif Palijo Chief said that Sindh appears like a desolate railway station in the middle of nowhere. He claimed that the PPP had given Sindh nothing except crisis.

The author is a practicing lawyer and freelance journalist. His areas of interest are cultural diversity and socio-political issues of Sindh.