I was misquoted about Pir Mardan Shah: Shazia Marri

KARACHI: Sindh Information Minister Shazia Atta Marri on Wednesday said some electronic channels have misquoted her, suggesting that she had given negative remarks about 7th Pir Pagara Shah Mardan Shah Sani during her media talk a couple of days back.

"Some TV channels especially a Sindh channel has distorted my comments/message," she explained while addressing a press conference here at PPP Media Cell.

Besides political engagement of Pakistan People's Party with Pakistan Muslim League (Functional), she said, her family has old relations with Pir Pagara family going back to Surh Badshah, the grandfather of Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi.

PPP also presented a resolution in Sindh Assembly to pay rich tribute to late Shah Mardan Shah Sani, she recalled.

She said that her party highly valued the role PML-F leadership in strengthening the democracy and development of the country.

She said that in pursuance of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's vision and policy of reconciliation PPP would continue to take PML-F on board like other its other allies at provincial and federal levels.

She said that PPP does not believe in ego. If needed, she continued , she can visit Kingri House to explain her position. She however requested Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi to take note some negative elements in his party who were trying to create rift between PPP and PML-F.

About Lyari operation, the Information Minister said that the Government wanted to see it complete within shortest possible time
with logical end and turn the area as very peaceful one.

She said that the operation had become imminent as a group of criminals had hijacked and disturbed the life of millions of peace- loving people living in this old city area. The residents were demanding for large scale operation to make the area clean from the criminals, she said.

Lyari is a stronghold of PPP since the party was launched. The people of Lyari have made great sacrifices for the party. It would remain strong base of PPP in future as well, she said.
She said the Government has already initiated various development schemes in Lyari and more development projects were on its cards.

" We want to see this old area as developed one and at par with posh areas of the city ," she remarked.

The Government realized the difficulties facing the people of the area including availability of food and water. However, she said, the Government was trying to supply ration in sufficient quantity in the area through Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Some NGO were also working there, she said.

The Minister said that if needed such operations could be carried out in other areas of the city, as it is the prime responsibility of the Government to ensure peace and security in the country.

The Information Minister strongly condemned the incident of setting on fire the house of Provincial Minister Rafique Engineer in Chakiwara (Lyari) by some miscreants. (APP)