KARACHI: Former National Assembly speaker Fehmida Mirza, and her spouse former Home Minister Sindh Zulfiqar Mirza, have joined the Grand Democratic Alliance, a coalition of several parties formed to challenge the Pakistan Peoples Party in Sindh.
The announcement was made on Sunday in a press conference alongside Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) chief and spiritual leader Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi.
Pir Pagari welcomed the couple into the GDA saying that Zulfiqar Mirza was his friend and an ally, and even Fehmida Mirza had decided to join them. Both of them and their sons, Barrister Hasnain Mirza and Hassam Mirza, will contest the upcoming elections from Badin on GDA tickets.
He said they desired peace in Sindh, improved law and order, and the elimination of corruption. The GDA provides an ideal platform to the people, adding that they intend to expand to Punjab as well.
Ms. Mirza said that her public gathering in Badin on May 15 was a referendum, as they district faced a plethora of problems and neglect by the PPP government.
She said the Sindh had the first right over the River Indus, and no one has the authority to stop or use the water of the river.
“Water of the River Indus cannot be used elsewhere without permission. The water should be spread across the province without discrimination.
“Lower Sindh has the first right over the River Indus. This has the contract-like status in the constitution of Pakistan,” she said, adding her home district was facing increasing sea intrusion.
She said that children of Sindh are deprived of education, and it was imperative that an education emergency is imposed in the province. Furthermore, steps should be undertaken to provide technical skills training as well.
Calling for the Sindh police to be depoliticised, she said everyone needs to follow the constitutions accordingly. “We have to rid Sindh of a mafia. We should come and strengthen the GDA.”
Therefore, she said it was imperative, whether on their own or a party, to make Sindh independent. She was this was a great opportunity which can change the destinies of the people of Sindh.
“Don’t see the personalities. We need to look at the people’s homes and their children’s future,” she said calling on others to support them as well.
She said that she was no such party as PPP, as no work has been done in the last ten years, and the province was being pulled backwards instead. She said that PPP has done nothing for the people of Badin, and now all eyes are on the interim set-up.
She said that youth will be on the wrong track if they are not given employment, adding that corruption was the root cause of all woes and need to be eradicated.
Zulfiqar Mirza said that the PPP will seen further defections. He said that general elections should be held on time, and will be beneficial to the country and the people.
