Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Sindh General Secretary, Rashid Mehmood Soomro, today severely criticized the provincial government, terming Sindh a “hub of problems,” and said that rulers sitting in the federation and provinces came through a fraudulent path, with allegations of alleged embezzlement of 100 billion rupees in the education board alone, and challenged the legitimacy of the current federal and provincial governments.
Addressing a press conference at Mirpurkhas Press Club after meetings with party workers and officials, Mr. Soomro insisted that the current rulers came to power “through fraud” without a public mandate. He announced that JUI has not recognized these assemblies since their inception.
Referring specifically to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his associates, he said that they were aware of the methods used for their electoral victory, and therefore immediately demanded the holding of free and fair elections.
The JUI leader further added that Sindh has become a “land of problems,” citing widespread issues. He alleged a major scheme in the educational boards where results were purportedly altered for 100 billion rupees, while 250 million rupees were given to the concerned minister and secretary. Mr. Soomro suggested that this was a deliberate conspiracy to erode public trust in educational institutions and facilitate the introduction of private educational boards.
He also highlighted alleged annual corruption of 70 billion rupees in wheat procurement, which is now purportedly being carried out in collusion with mill owners. The politician claimed that “corruption files” of 72 government departments, including drug-related departments, are fully prepared. He argued that to ensure effective anti-corruption measures, his party should be handed power, as they are free from such corruptions.
Addressing tribal disputes, Mr. Soomro termed the ongoing “peace jirgas” merely a “drama.” However, he noted that after JUI’s advocacy, peace efforts are now being conducted through these tribal councils. He highlighted that while murder cases can languish in courts for five decades, jirgas resolve them in five days, explaining their appeal among the public.
Discussing the political landscape, he confirmed an electoral alliance with Pir Pagara and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), but clarified that no permanent political agreement exists. He also mentioned ongoing contacts with various nationalist parties, predicting that JUI would hold the key to government in the future.
On the persistent issue of gas and electricity load shedding across Sindh, Mr. Soomro expressed regret over the “long history of injustices” against the province. He emphasized that Sindh produces large quantities of electricity from gas, oil, Thar coal, and wind, and if these local resources were primarily used within the province, numerous provincial problems could be resolved. He concluded that the condition of Sindh is not a priority for the current leadership.
Others present on the occasion included Maulana Abdul Qayyum Halijvi, Abdul Razzaq Abid Lakho, Maulana Hafeezur Rehman Faiz, Haji Abdul Malik, Maulvi Adil Latif, and Haji Rafiq Soomro.