The creation of Siraiki province will help alleviate the sense of deprivation of the Siraiki people – Former premier Yousif Raza Gilani
We have gathered here to raise voice for the rights of all the oppressed nations of Pakistan – Sindh Culture Minister Sardar Shah
Staff Reporter
Karachi
The demand of creating Siraiki Province echoed at ‘Sindhi Siraiki Sanjh’, a cultural event, first ever of its kind, organized by Sindh Culture and Tourism Department at Karachi Arts Council on Saturday.
“The creation of Siraiki province will help alleviate the sense of deprivation of the Siraiki people,” said Yousif Raza Gilani, former Prime Minister of Pakistan while speaking at the event. “The Siraki Vaseb should have their own representative assembly,” he asserted.
“Former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had also favored the creation of Siraiki province,” he told the audience.
Recalling his efforts for creation of Siraiki province during his premiership, Gilani said, “We had got approved the Bill from the Senate for creation of Siraiki province and was about to be presented in the national assembly, but in the meantime I was removed from the office of Prime Minister.”
“After my removal from premiership, Mr. Asif Zardari had said ‘Now, you should understand the reason behind your removal’.”
Gilani continued, “Abiding by the constitution, I, however, didn’t write against the President’s decision of my removal, and also accepted the court verdict.”
“I never raised the question ‘Why I have been removed from the office of Prime Minister,” he remarked.
Yousif Raza Gilani vowed that Pakistan People’s Party would continue to struggle for achieving its ‘unfinished task’.”
Talking about political conspiracies hatched in the power corridors during his tenure, Gilani said pressure was exerted on his for victimizing the leadership of Sindh.
He said it was Pakistan People’s Party that ensured provincial autonomy through 18th amendment in the constitution, and gave identity to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhaw.
Sindh Culture Minister Sardar Shah in his address said that Sindhi and Siraiki are two sides of one coin. “Their culture, language, joys and pains are of same nature.”
“It was need of the hour to organize such an event and provide opportunity to bring the writers, poets and intellectuals of Sindhi and Siraiki at one platform.”
“The people of Sindh and Siraiki Vaseb are the ambassadors of love and peace, and today, we have gathered here to raise voice for the rights of all the oppressed nations of Pakistan. It’s our responsibility to speak for the rights of oppressed nations and show solidarity with them,” Sardar Shah categorically stated.
“The people of Indus civilization had suffered a lot because they never committed aggression against any nation. On the contrary, they always been invaded by others.”
Sardar Shah said, “Sindh and Siraiki Vaseb are linked by same joys, pains, and the one river.”
The Sindhi Siraiki Sanjh even was also addressed by Siraiki poet Eshu Lal, PPP leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Dr. Javed Chandio, Jami Chandio, Nazeer Laghari and others.
The event ended with Sindhi Siraiki poetry session and a musical concert.
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