Karachi: There is no chance of change in system, however, only faces will change and the process of coming into power by the military and the two big political parties PPP and PML-N would continue in the country.
These views were expressed by Sindh Labour Minister Amir Nawab while talking exclusively to The News Tribe, a UK-based news website, at his office in Karachi.
When asked about his views on the recent visit of PPP leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza to London, the provincial minister said that he was unaware of the purpose of Dr Mirza’s visit to the UK.
When this correspondent asked about the PPP leader’s meeting with ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed before his departure, Amir Nawab said that any one can meet Shahi Syed as process of contacts and meetings remained continue in politics.
We will not suppport Mirza in any of his move against the Muttahida or its chief in Pakistan or in the UK, he categorically said when asked whether the ANP would extend cooperation to the PPP leader if he initiates campaign against the MQM or its leadership.
“I don’t see any political change in the coming days…… existing system will continue…..musical chair game between the PPP, PML-N and the army will go on,” Amir Nawab said when his views were sought on the much-talked possible change in the country.
When asked about ANP’s relation with the MQM, the provincial minister said his party is in alliance with the PPP not with the Muttahida. The PPP is independent in forming alliance with any party and they have nothing to do with it .
Talking about any possibility of making alliance with the MQM in election, the ANP leader said that no decision has so far been taken in this connection by the party.
Giving credit to the government, he said that institutions have been strengthened as President Zardari transferred his powers to the parliament. Our longstanding demand of provincial autonomy was fulfilled under the 18th Amendment, concurrent list was abondoned, ministries were devolved to provinces, NFC Award was announced, controversial Kalabagh Dam issue was resolved amicably and work on Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Thar coal project started.
Speaking about successes and failures of the government, the ANP leader said if we could not achieved all our goals it does not mean democracy had failed in the country. Let the democratic process continue in the country….if we could not come upto the expectations of the people they will not elect us in the next election.
While defending democracy, the provincial minister said that it was democracy that had saved India today despite the fact that the country had been facing issues like poverty and corruption.
He dismissed the demand of mid-term election by the opposition and said if the political parties did not boycott the 1988 election then the elements having believe in violence would not have entered into the country’s mainstream politics today.
When asked how politics of violence started in Karachi and its possible solution, Amir Nawab said that when non-political people come into power they do the same thing what is being done in the metropolis.
In reply to a question regarding ANP worker’s involvement in violence, the provincial labour minister said that his party’s policy is based on non-violence. Qayyum Khan got over 600 people killed in just an hour….but we never responded in the same way. Party is not responsible if any worker commits wrong in his personal capacity. However, we strongly condemn such acts.
While admitting presence of criminal elements within the political parties, the ANP leader said that the parties do not have control on such people as each and every worker could not be controlled and monitored in a group of millions of people.
However, he gave credit to political parties for making the ongoing operation against terrorists and extortionists in Karachi a successes. He said that if they (political parties) did not cooperate with the law forcing agencies then the crackdown would have not produced the desired results.
When asked whether the ANP would support Mirza’s any anti- MQM stance in the days to come, the provincial minister said that his party would not become part of any such move in future. But, we will continue to support and cooperate with the PPP.
Speaking about MQM-H leader Afaq Ahmed and the cases registered recently against him, Amir Nawab said justice should be provided to the Haqiqi leader. Citing political tolerance shown by his party, he said people like Ajmal Khatak had left ANP but no political victimization was done.
Imran Khan is a good player but I don’t consider him as politician, the provincial minister said while talking about the Pakistan Tekreek-e-Insaf chief.
When asked whether the Awami National Party would provide any support to Imran Khan’s public meeting scheduled to be held on December 25 at the Mazar-e-Quaid, Amir Nawab categorically said that his party would not do so.
He said that there is democracy in the country and every one is free to hold rallies and public meetings, adding that that a single big public gathering is not a guarantee that PTI will emerge victorious in the next election.
The ANP leader was of the view that establishment was on the back of Imran Khan.
He went on to say that majority of the people participated in the PTI’s Lahore public meeting were children who idealise Imran just as a good cricketer.
Amir Nawab said that how come the PTI would bring a change in the country as old faces are joining Imran Khan.
The provincial minister said that a large number of people under ‘someone’s instruction’ had gone from Karachi to attend the Lahore public meeting.
To a question whether any alliance or seat adjustment is possible with the PTI in the election, Amir Nawab said that the issue is not that significant to think over at this moment. He added that it is yet to be decided as so far there was no party policy on it.
While talking about his accomplishments and beginning of political career, the provincial labour minister said that he joined the Pukhtun Students Federation (PSF) and later after completing studies at Karachi University he contested the municipal election held under the Zia government. He said that he remained part of this system till 1992. Afterwards he focussed on business. He also served as a councilor and Town Nazim, SITE Town during his career. In 2008, he won the Sindh Assembly seat and became labour minister.
He said that he joined the ANP because of his earlier association with the PSF and also got inspiration from his family members who were party members.
Amir Nawab said that after assuming the charge of labour minister, he revoked the IRO 2002, which was an anti-worker law besides minimum wage was increased from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 7,000. He added that pension was raised to Rs3,000 from Rs1,500, restrictions were lifted from trade unions, referendums were held at big organisations, the law regarding forced retrenchments was repealed, 1,20,000 workers fired during the previous government were restored, Judges were appointed in five labour courts and Sindh Appellate Tribunal was restored.
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