SUKKUR: Strong speculations about a change in the Sindh government engulfed the entire province on Sunday with the epicentre being Khangarh, where Governor Imran Ismail and MPA Haleem Adil Shaikh stayed overnight to discuss possibility of change with Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar and some other members of the political family.

Speaking to the media, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MPA Haleem Adil Shaikh remarked that people of Sindh would hear “good news” soon, but ruled out any unconstitutional measures to be taken by his party. “There are many other options,” he explained.

Governor Ismail, along with Mr Shaikh, arrived in Khangarh in Ghotki district on Saturday and discussed the political situation in the province, with reference to the Supreme Court proceedings in the massive money-laundering and fake bank accounts cases scheduled for Monday (today). Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, his sister, Faryal Talpur and many of their associates have been named as suspects in the probe undertaken by the SC-appointed joint investigation team (JIT). A total of 172 suspects being part of the alleged scam have been barred from going abroad.

The speculations about a change were further feuled by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s telephonic contact with Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar late on Saturday evening though a few details of the conversation were made public.

Local reporters repeatedly asked Mr Shaikh about progress of a ‘forward bloc’ he had claimed to be in the offing in the Sindh Assembly to cripple PPP within the house. He, however, neither confirmed nor denied reports of having drummed up considerable support.

He said not all PPP people [lawmakers] were bad but the good ones had already distanced themselves [from PPP fold]. “Nothing is impossible,” he added, alluding to PTI’s efforts towards bringing about an in-house change.

He said Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah should have resigned on his own after ascertaining contents of the JIT report.

He said PTI would have no objection if PPP itself named someone from among them as the chief minister.

Governor Ismail, MPA Shaikh, Federal Minister for Anti-Narcotics Ali Mohammad Mahar, Grand Democratic Alliance leaders MNA Ghous Bakhsh Mahar, MPA Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar and former MPA Raheem Bakhsh Bozdar had held a meeting at the bungalow of Ali Mohammad Mahar at Tar Ghar late on Saturday evening to discuss political situation in the province.

On Sunday, all the leaders returned to Gohar Palace in Khangarh.

MPA Shaikh told a questioner while talking to the media that PTI was in contact with MPAs and the number of its supporters was increasing. “It’s just a start, you will see the climax in coming days,” he remarked.

Mr Shaikh also said that President Dr Arif Alvi would be arriving in Khangarh on the invitation of Sardar Mahar and Prime Minister Imran Khan had also accepted the latter’s invitation for a visit.

Sardar Mahar also spoke to the media and said people of Sindh remained deprived of their rights over the past 50 years although 10 districts of the province were rich in natural resources.

“A change is inevitable to address the issues being faced by the people,” he said.

He said the 18th Constitutional Amendment had given nothing to the masses.

Sardar Mahar confirmed that a change was indeed discussed in his talks with the visiting PTI leaders, and said a final decision would be taken by GDA chief Pir Saheb Pagara and PTI leadership.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2018