Is PPP being thrown out

because of a Sindhi party?

By Zulfiqar Mirani

From: zulfiqar mirani <zmirani@...........>

Subject: [SindhPost] Is PPP being thrown out because of a Sindhi party?
To: various egroups
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 1:04 PM

Is PPP being thrown out because of a Sindhi party?

(Note: Sindhi in this piece of writing means Sindhi speaking, non-Sindhi
means who does speak other lanugage)

As pressure on PPP (and Mr. Zardari) is mounting on the issues like

corruption, inflation, electricity, poor economic management, good
governance (rather bad governance), poor performance in almost all
subjects/ministries/departments, incompetence, non seriousness, etc….. ;
and talk of ouster of Mr. Zardari and/or PPP government is getting more n
more with every passing day, sindhi writers, analysts and columnists (and
PPP supporters)have started saying that PPP/Zardari are being ousted
because PPP is a Sindhi party.

I would like to remind all friends the words of Ms Shazia Marri (spokes
person of PPP/Sindh Gov) which she bluntly said, while elections of senate
were being held and PPP was asked about nominations of five non-sindhi for
senate seats, that PPP is federal party and not a Sindh (or Sindhi) party.

Moreover what are they (PPP) doing for Sindhis?

- handed over coal (worth trillions of dollars) to center

- deprived sindhis of representation in senate ( a forum which is
aimed to create balance between provinces) and got five non sindhis
(Mr. Naik, Mr. Shaoukat Tareen, Mr. Islamuddin Sheikh, Mr. Rehman
Malik, Mr. Faisal Abdi) elected in 2009, beside earlier senators Mr.
Raza Rabbani. This way sindhi and non-sindhi representation of PPP
seats in senate from Sindh province is 50:50 (i.e 6 Sindhi and 6 Non
Sindhi). It must be recalled here that PPP has not obtained a single
seat from non-sindhi dominated constituency in Sindh. PPP has got all
provincial seats from Sindhi dominated constituencies. With such an
act of PPP, in 22 seats of Sindh in Senate Sindhi representation
has been reduced to only 8 and there are presently 14 non-
sindhis among 22 seats of sindh in senate.

- PPP lead Sindh government has deviated from historical stance of

Sindh in NFC that distribution of financial resources should be made on
the basis of revenue generation; and also they have deviated from the
stance taken in the Sindh Assembly Resolution unanimously passed in
2003 for NFC distribution. PPP’s earlier decision of NFC in 1974, in
which the concept of horizontal distribution of revenue was introduced
for the first time (though there is no such binding by the constitution
or any other law or the precedence/history) and also the horizontal
distribution on the basis of population alone. On such basis more than
800 billions Rs. of Sindh (only from collection of direct and non-direct
taxes) are given to either center or other provinces, whose collective
contribution in the central pool is 30 % only, while Sindh's contribution
is 70%.

- Water accord 1991 is not being implemented, water is being

distributed on the basis of historical share basis, that was introduced
by third PPP government in 1994.

- Every party of Pakistan is supporting granting of provincial

autonomy, but PPP government has no interest in it. Sindh is worst
affected among all provinces in this respect.

- Sindh and Sindhi are getting poorer day by day, but PPP leaders
have become billionaires from petit persons. Sindhi people are
suffering from hunger and poverty (and doing suicides), but PPP
government instead of doing something concrete, has made their life
further miserable. The cost of fundamental food items has risen to
(more than) double in their short tenure of one and half year (that
seems uncontrolled by the PPP). Even the very basic items like Wheat
Flour, Sugar, Edible Oil, Pulses (Dal Chana, Dal Mahery, etc) are out of
reach of common people. Electricity rates are raising continuously
 (though electricity is not available for 8-12 hours in a day), etc……
there is a long list.

- All important federal divisions, federal autonomous bodies,

government corporations, etc are controlled by non-Sindhi officers.
Sindhi secretaries/officers are posted on side posts or given un/less
important portfolios. Notorious anti-sindhi officers are given very
important portfolios, but many competent sindhi officers are sidelined.

- Sindhi officers (in all federal departments) all over Pakistan are
neglected in promotions, postings, etc.

Everyone knows, jobs, postings, promotions in Sindh government

are granted by taking heavy bribes. There is no consideration of merit
and competence. Only corrupt officers who pay heavy bribes to PPP
people are preferred over competent officers. Sindh through out is
controlled by corrupt officers. What will they do for Sindh. The corrupt
officers suck the blood of poor sindhi people and pay heavy amounts
to their political paterns (PPP men) in the government.

- Law and order situation is worse than ever before. Dacoits have
free hand through out the province. Kidnappings, murders, dacoities
are on the increase. There is no control of of the government on such
elements. Rather anti-social, anti-people elements are patronized by
PPP waderas, so that they are used in next elections (if held). This has
affected every walk of life. Economic activity, business and trading,
social life have been ruined because of worst condition of law and
order in the province. Sindhi common man is worst sufferer in this
regard.

- Etc………………………there is a long list.

Facts of 40 years of history:

When PPP is not in government they use Sindh card. Talk about Lahore and
Larkana. Hold rallies with nationalists (to blackmail Center and Punjab). PPP
plays for power only, in the name of democracy, nationalism, provincial
autonomy etc.
When PPP is in government, they just mint money and forget all, people,
Larkana, Sindh and every one.

Before elections, PPP pledge for Roti, Kapra and Makan. When they win, they
snatch every thing from people and fill their pockets. In one and half year of
their rule, they have snatched Roti. People are scared that if they will remain
for five years, people will be deprived of Kapra and Makaan also. After five
years of PPP rule (if persists) Sindhi people will be bhookey, nangey and
shelterless.

In what respect are they (PPP) Sindhi?

What PPP has done Sindh specific? Then why will they be victimized on such
basis of being from Sindh only.

Contrary to that they (PPP) have harmed Sindh and Sindhis more than any
one else.

Differentiate between friend and foe.

……………

Re: Fw: Re: Re: Is PPP being thrown out because of a Sindhi party?

Dear brother ……………

Sindh is part of Pakistan, which is a federation. When someone talk about

rights of Sindh, it does not necessarily mean dismemberment from
federation of Pakistan. I am of the opinion that if all the four units of
federation are united it is beneficial for all. But the system should be based
on justice. It should not be like a province contributes 60 or 70 % in revenue
but gets only 23% of 45 of some tax collections (not all).

Coming back to PPP. I am still of the opinion that PPP politics of blackmailing
the center and Punjab on the Sindh issue (or simply use of Sindh card), for
the sake of power, have not only harmed the country but also the interests
of Sindh. Being a popular party of Sindhi people, it is their basic
responsibility to struggle for resolving the fundamental issues of the
province (and also of the other provinces). PPP, having representation in all
the four provinces and truely a countrywide party (that has also connection
with and influence on the establishment of Pakistan), is in the best position
(among all parties) to address historical issues of the smaller provinces. But
they have never shown any seriousness. Rather many issues have been
complicated like distribution of revenue, rights of provinces (the rights that
were granted earlier in British India have been snatched by the constitution
introduced by PPP in 1973), water distribution, rights over natural resources
(recent example of thar coal) etc.

What PPP has delivered to Sindh in 40 years of leadership/representation.

I think if Sindhi youth gather in Karachi (or even PPP men chant slogans of
Pakistan Na Khape in Garhi Khuda Bux), it is because their party who have
got chance to rule for four times in last forty years, has not delivered to the
province. They always give excuse that they are not allowed adequate time
in the government. Nawaz Sharif also got the same time but what he has
done in Punjab, PPP has not even done 5% of the same. If Interim
government of Meraj Khalid (without having such mandate) can declare/alter
NFC award (in 1997) in just two months, why PPP can not do it in two years.
It is because they do not intend to resolve issues.

Brother, Sindh needs alternate leadership (sincere, committed, competent).

Punjab, NWFP and Baluchistan have effective leaderships of their own.But
we Sindhi are in the grip of (power monger and corrupt & incompetent) PPP
leadership.

In the end, I would say, PPP is not the ultimate leadership of Pakistan. The
country can be governed much better than PPP rule. As for the timing is
concerned, it is again the responsibility of PPP to maintain balance among
the interests of common people and all other stake holders in the country. If
PPP has the right to play the games, they should noy object when others use
the same tactics. They should not raise the question of Sindhi party being
thrown out. I sincerely believe that PPP is not being thrown (if that
happens?) because of any such reasons. PPP is not doing any thing that is
Sindh or Sindhi specific.

Regards,

Zulfiqar Mirani

…………………

Further notes added in replies to various emails:

PPP is NOT a Sindhi party. (But PPP Sindh chapter propagates that Zardari
(PPP) is being thrown out because of being Sindhi).

I would just saty that PPP's leadership and the party has disappointed people
of Sindh and of all the smaller provinces that's why educated youth of Sindh
and smaller provinces are resorting to seperatism. In that sense PPP is
extremely harming the country.

Democracy (in which all the four units are allowed to participate) is the only
savior of Pakistan.

(1) Since Punjab is benefiting from most of the God gifted fertile
(agriculture) land, then advantage of God gifted ports (of Karachi etc), sea,
minerals, oil & gas, river, etc must also be given to Sindh and the people of
Sindh, (2) After setting up of Dry ports in almost all parts of the country,
custom duty is collected there and not all custom is collected at Karachi.
Moreover share of custom duty in the total taxes (direct and indirect) is less
than 10% nowadays. About 550 billions are collected on account of income
tax and almost an equal amount as GST on goods (which used to be
provincial tax historically and completely federalized in 1973 constitution).
Moreover GST is levied and collected locally, therefore GST. It is true that
because of the ports, Sindh has the advantage in trade and commerce but it
is natural so why the advantage should not be given to the people of that
land. There can be a big discussion in this regard, but lastly I would say that
financial distribution must be based on revenue collection basis, Punjab's
views and reservations regarding collection must be considered and
addressed. ………………….. Anyway when we just demand right of Sindh and
do not want Punjab's earnings (revenue) transfered to Sindh and vice versa,
so the fair and transparent system can be developed if intentions are right.

sindhis have never such desires to rule over others and usurp the rights of
others through out the history. Moreover it is not a matter of a sindhi person
installed or appointed at top posts. basic issue is the participation and role of
Sindh and Sindhi in the political power and establishment

……………