Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has outright rejected the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), terming it as "unjust, against the spirit of transparent judicial process, discriminatory in nature and injurious to good democratic practices".
He was addressing a press briefing at the New Sindh Secretariat after cabinet meeting on Wednesday to brief the newsmen on the decisions of the meeting. Rahim said that he would want the NRO withdrawn with immediate effect. "This is my personal view, that this Ordinance would harm democracy in the country as the looters and plunderers would get relief from this rule. I am against withdrawal of cases, and I am against amnesty of any kind. Let people face their deeds."
He said that those who had squandered away national wealth, emptied its coffers, and had brought the country to the verge of collapse were being offered amnesty and political space to stage comeback and re-enact the old game of corruption. "It is simply unacceptable."
He said that the NRO was not the final document, and it would be seen if it could survive if challenged in the court of law or if presented before the legislature. Rahim said that those people who were wanted in criminal cases should face courts and get themselves absolved from the proper forum. He once again rejected the idea of letting foreigners enter the ongoing inquiry into the October 18 blast in the procession of Benazir Bhutto and said that competent agencies were doing the needful. "We are competent to deal with our internal matters and security concerns."
He said that the PPP had its reservation on DIG Manzoor Moughal as head of the inquiry committee; an officer acceptable to PPP was replacing him. However, the CM ruled out the proposal to appoint officers of "Benazir's liking" in Larkana. "We are in the government, and we know what is best for our people. It is our prerogative to make postings and transfers. We would not take dictation and would do what is in the larger interest of the people of the province. Let her come into power and then she can do whatever she wants."
He said that inquiry into the October 18 event was making progress in the right direction. "We have got some clues - positive clues leading to culprits." He said he wouldn't disclose much about the progress as after the publication of the news story some important links might disappear.
He said he would not rule out the presence of these people in other provinces. Earlier, he said that the cabinet in its meeting had taken up an agenda consisting of 11 points.
He said that it was decided to provide 1550 acres land to Port Qasim Authority to further dividing it into 300 acres for developing a Garment City and 1259 acres for the proposed Textile City. The cost of land is Rs 1 million per acre, and it would be given on lease for 99 years. The PQA would further lease it to applicants for 30 years. No change in the purpose for which the land allotted would be allowed.
The cabinet decided that all properties belonging to Sindh Road Transport Corporation would be allotted to the respective city district governments for different purposes. The money so earned out of these transfers and transactions would be given to the provincial government. The Sindh Government would use this money for the retirement of loans taken from the World Bank. The Sindh Government had taken substantial amount of loan from the WB to clear the dues of the retrenched staff of the SRTC. A committee comprising Law Secretary, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Finance and Secretary Transport has been set up to oversee the disposal and utilisation of SRTC land.
The cabinet deferred a proposal to enhance penalty and fine to be imposed on the violators of heritage laws. It was proposed that those found guilty of violating relevant laws and damaging national heritage sites should be fined Rs 10 million and imprisonment. Rahim said that the cabinet found this proposal a bit harsh, and deferred discussion on this issue for the next meeting.
He said that liquidation of Sindh Sugar Corporation and disposal of Thatta Sugar Mills and Dadu Sugar Mills had been postponed as offers for purchase were much below the reserved prices.
He said this exercise would be undertaken at a later stage. The proposal to increase taxes on hotels and refixation of excise duty on the basis of occupancy had also been deferred and would be discussed in the next meeting. Decision to provide land to two investors to set up a desalination plant, convert a playground measuring eight acres situated on old Bunder Road into a commercial cum recreational ground was also taken.
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