KARACHI, Feb 11: Sindh Executive Committee of the Pakistan People's Party on Friday termed Benazir-Nawaz meeting in Jeddah a crucial turning point in the struggle for the restoration of undiluted democratic dispensation , supremacy of the parliament and revival of the 1973 Constitution.

The council criticized the government for the alarming situation in Balochistan, increasing unemployment, unbearable burden of price hike, deteriorating law and order situation, and government's insistence on building Kalabagh Dam and the Greater Thal Canal.

In a resolution adopted by the Sindh Executive Committee of the PPP, the party maintained that the meeting was manifestation of political sagacity that would usher in a new political culture that would lead to real democracy, restoration of 1973 Constitution and banishment of dictatorship.

The meeting declared the privatization process a farce and resolved that KESC's privatization at throwaway price was part of a conspiracy to harm the country. The party also stressed that the demands of KESC employees should be accepted immediately.

Addressing a news conference after the Sindh Executive Committee's meeting at People's Secretariat, PPP's provincial chief Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that that construction of Kalabagh Dam and fragmentation of existing districts was tantamount to creating a deep cleavage, endangering the foundations of the federation.

He said that the meeting was concerned over inappropriate use of development funds by the government, allocated to the MNA and MPAs. On Kalabagh, he said water paucity in the river system and denial of appropriate share to Sindh had already turned a vast area of the province into desert.

Flanked by Nafees Siddiqui, Dr Fahmida Mirza, Waqar Mehdi and divisional presidents of the party, Qaim Ali Shah declared that the people of Sindh and his party would go to the extreme limit to oppose the dam construction as it was a matter of life and death for the inhabitants of this province.

He also referred to a resolution adopted in the meeting, which termed the project anti-people and demanded establishment of the Council of Common Interests in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Mr Shah said that the PPP meeting had taken serious note of attempts to fragment Sindh to the advantage of ruling coalition partners and maintained that Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad had become controversial because of his stance on the issue during Hyderabad visit.

He said that according to the constitution after holding the office of governor he (Mr Ibad) could not retain any party position or behave in that manner. He was very critical of the plan to fragment Hyderabad and emphasized that in Karachi five districts were merged to create a city government but in case of Hyderabad which was lesser in size and population, the government was forcing divisions to the advantage of one party and a small group.

He said that the meeting also deplored rapid increase in the prices of petrol and commodities as well as growing unemployment. The PPP also criticized the government for mishandling Balochisatan situation and shielding the culprits in lady doctor's rape case.

Nafees Siddiqui claimed that Jeddah meeting between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif was a "landmark" as it would have positive impact on the democratic struggle in Pakistan.

Referring to the charter of democracy agreed in Jeddah, he said that the terms, including restoration of 1973 Constitution and free and fair elections under an independent election commission, had been stated very clearly.

He said that ARD meeting scheduled for the next week would discuss the developments including relations with MMA. He declared that the PPP's or the ARD's concern was not merely the president holding dual office by retaining his military post, but the whole 17th amendment and the above stated objectives.

About federal information minister's claim that dialogue with the PPP was going on and there could be seat adjustments, Mr Siddqui said that the PPP firmly believed in dialogue for resolving political issues but there was no contact between Ms Bhutto and the government and the minister was not aware of the real status.