GDA announces to support PTI, be part of opposition in Sindh Assembly

KARACHl: The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has announced to support the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the National Assembly, and be part of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly.

PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi made the announcement after meeting GDA chief Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi at the Kingri House in Karachi. PTI leader Jehangir Tareen was also present along with local party leaders.

Qureshi said that both parties will be part of the opposition in Sindh along with the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), and the joint opposition will decide the future course of action in the Sindh Assembly.

He strongly criticised the Pakistan People Party (PPP) for participating in the opposition parties’ protest against alleged rigging, saying that they have formed the Sindh government since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and was protesting despite receiving more seats than previous elections.

He thanked the people of Sindh particularly Karachi for turning out and voting for them in large numbers despite all hardships, saying that even he received votes from Sindh in the elections.

He said there Sindh receives royalty worth Rs100 billion for oil and gas in ten districts, but there is no accountability, and the matter has been discussed in detail with the GDA leadership.

He further said that 10.68 million people voted for the PTI in the elections, and now have high expectations from them to display good governance and leadership, and end the trend of building properties through corruption.

Qureshi said there was no denying that the MQM was a political reality, and they will work together for the benefit of Karachi, and there will be no compromise on the interests of the nation.

He said that they discussed a range of issues and problems faced by Sindh with the GDA. He said the GDA have several legal and political options and they support them for demanding re-election in several parts of Sindh.

He said the Imran Khan’s willingness to open any constituency was not a political statement and more than thirty constituencies have already been reopened across the country. He further said that Imran Khan will decide the constituency which he will keep for himself.

Pir Pagara announced to support Imran Khan as the next prime minister, saying he should step forward for the betterment of the country, and they will support him unconditionally in all circumstances.

The spiritual leader of the Hur Movement said that several GDA were made to lose the elections through a conspiracy and they will protest peacefully against it.