KARACHI, Dec 30: Pakistan People’s Party Women Wing Information Secretary Shazia Marri has deplored that 2006 had ended without any relief to the people.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, she said that looking back on 2006 one saw it fraught with an astronomical rise in the crime rate, government scams, blunders and unaccounted for excesses with absolute no disregard for the constitution of Pakistan.

The government indulged in numerous underhanded get-rich-quick schemes in 2006, some of which paid off, while others were shot down. But irrespective of whether or not they were successful, they all served to expose the government’s self-serving agenda, said Ms Marri.

The multi-million dollar scam which was the privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills, and the sugar fiasco incriminating major players of the federal cabinet were the forerunners in the scam race, she said.

While people buckled under the strain of rapidly rising prices, the government stole from them with impunity, she added.

Constitutional disregard continued as human rights were violated and provinces were swindled by the federation, said Ms Marri. Citing the example of the two islands of Buddo and Bundal (Dingi and Bundaar), she said that it was appalling how the federation had wrested them away from Sindh, in direct violation of Article 152 of the Constitution.

“Since the islands are clearly the property of Sindh, as per the law and the Constitution, it is therefore solely the prerogative of the Sindh government to approve any and all development projects. Moreover, all revenue generated from any agreement must fall into the province of Sindh,” she said.

The Pakistan People’s Party MPA elaborated demanded that the economic, ecological and environmental concerns of the fishing community be addressed.

These included ensuring their access to the open seas, the safety of the hatcheries, and conservation of the mangroves, destroying which would not only have an adverse effect on sea life, but would also make the area highly susceptible to damage from the sea, she explained.

MPA Saira Shahliani and Shamim Wasih, information secretary of PPP women wing Karachi, were also present on the occasion.