Sindh CM warns PTI govt of ‘retaliation’ against governor’s rule

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has warned the PTI-led federal government against any attempt to impose the governor’s rule in the province, saying it would warrant an “unprecedented retaliation.”

He issued the warning shortly after Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that he has advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to impose governor’s rule in Sindh after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) hosted several dissident PTI MNAs at the Sindh House and allegedly tried to buy their loyalties.

Another federal minister, Fawad Chaudhry, later told reporters that the government would deliberate on Rasheed’s proposal.

Sheikh Rasheed spoke to reporters after a key government meeting which pondered over the next move against the opposition. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The interior minister claimed that PPP was using money from Sindh’s kitty to buy PTI MNAs. He said he is leaving for home after advising Imran Khan to impose the governor’s rule in Sindh because the PPP, which rules Sindh, has been found involved in buying loyalties. “This is a conspiracy against democracy,” he said.

Rasheed also said that people were standing with Imran Khan, and on March 27 a “sea of people” will arrive in Islamabad.

The interior minister played down the possibility of an operation against the Sindh House and said that PTI MNAs were staying at the mansion due to their greed for money.

However, he did warn the opposition parties of an action after March 25.

While SAMAA TV’s Khalid Azeem Chaudhry says it was not easy for the government to impose governor’s rule in Sindh as the measure needs approval from Parliament and Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar said that it was Rasheed’s personal view, Federal Information Minister indicated otherwise.

Speaking at a press conference shortly after Imran Khan ended the meeting, Fawad Chaudhry said that Sheikh Rasheed had floated the suggestion as an important government ally and as the interior minister of the country and the PTI government will deliberated over it.

Later in the evening, reports indicated that the interior ministry was preparing draft proposal to impose the governor’s rule in Sindh.

Reports suggested that the interior ministry could move the summary to the PM House on Friday.

However, Murad Ali Shah warned the PTI government of “unprecedented retaliation from the people of Sindh.”

In a tweet he said, “Let me categorically state that any unconstitutional move by the Federal Government to impose Governor’s rule in Sindh, will provoke an unprecedented retaliation from the people of Sindh.”