KARACHI: Predicting the rise of an alternative leadership in the next general elections in Sindh, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf vice chairman and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed on Friday that the people of Sindh wanted a change for which they would be campaigning aggressively in every town and district of the province.

A sketchy plan of the PTI for Sindh was shared by Mr Qureshi during a meeting with the party legislators elected from the province here.

“Ideology of a large section of the urban population of Sindh is different from the PPP and they are in quest for an alternative political platform,” a statement issued by the party quoted the foreign minister as telling the PTI legislators at the Sindh Assembly committee room.

“Even in rural areas of Sindh, a significant number of people are ready to join PTI only if they are offered a reasonable alternative,” he said, adding: “Prime Minister Imran Khan considers the entire province of Sindh as his responsibility and the PTI government is taking every possible step within the ambit of the Constitution for its development and its future prosperity. The opposition in Sindh despite unfavourable conditions and severe pressure is striving to come up to the expectations of the masses.”

Mr Qureshi said his recent rallies in Umerkot and Mithi and the presence of a large number of people in them showed that they were looking at the PTI and eagerly wanted a change.

He said that people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also acknowledged the principled stand of PM Khan and the PTI defeated political parties, which were considered giants in KPK politics.

Earlier, the foreign minister called on Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at Governor House. They discussed overall political situation in the country, ongoing development projects in Sindh and other issues of mutual interests.

According to a statement, the two agreed that the federal government was fully cooperating for the development of the metropolis in line with its vision of equal development across the country.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2021