The citizens of Qubo Saeed Khan, and nearby areas in Larkana, on Sunday, demonstrated a rally to make Shahdadkot a separate district. The participants had gathered on a call by “Shahdadkot Zilo Thahiyo Jidojahad Committee” and protested using banners, placards and flags. They circumscribed various road to conclude the rally at Benazir Chowk where a resolution regarding Shahdadkot was unanimously passed.
The successful rally came at the price of a major traffic jam that lasted for three hours.
In his address to the rally, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader, Gaibi Khan Mugheri, noted that Qubo Saeed Khan had now voted for change and that the people of Qubo Saeed Khan, Sijawal Junejo and Miro Khan would make Shahdadkot a district. He asked the Sindh government to address this widespread demand since any further delay in doing so would fuel hatred against them. The Sindh government had already gone back on its word promised after the deaths of citizens in Kambar, he maintained.
Grand Democratic Alliance leader, Muzafar Brohi, declared that Qubo Saeed Khan was always ignored in all relevant fields. The people were now tired of repeatedly calling on influential landlords to address the absence of safe drinking water and healthcare.
The demonstration was also attended by leaders from National Democratic Party, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz along with local leaders, including Ghani Mujahid, Comrade Ghani Pandhrani, Urs Seelro, Advocate Ghani Bhatti and others. The protestors cried that MPA Mir Nadir Magsi should raise his voice on the issue in Sindh Assembly.
In the past, district demarcation was done on purely political grounds with no connection to the ground realities, they added.
Locals had to face far greater troubles today because of this division, the leaders believed.
Shahdadkot was said to deserve the status of a district because of its vibrant trade, population count and even shares in tax recoveries. The rally pledged to continue its struggle till its just demand was accepted. They believed that their representatives were busy working on personal gains while the locals continued to suffer even after 15 years. The leaders warned to stage protests in Karachi and Islamabad if their demand is not met.
Published in Daily Times, February 25th 2019.
