HYDERABAD, Jan 24: The government assured fair and free elections upon which Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP) decided to take part but rigging is already taking roots, said the party’s President and former MMA MNA Sahibzada Abul Khair Mohammad Zubair.

He hosted a three-member EU delegation of poll observers in his office on Wednesday. He said posters of MMA candidates were being removed and torn while workers distributing handbills tortured. He said large scale transfers had taken place in police and administration adding complaints submitted to the Election Commission gone in vain. Though the EC sought explanation from the federal interior minister but then expressed its own dissatisfaction over it.

He told the delegation that in some areas their workers were being threatened and prevented from participating in elections. He alleged the government and agencies of patronising terrorists. He said there was no use taking part in polls because the government would only announce results of favourites.

PALIJO: Poisonous water of Manchchar Lake is being released into River Indus to give an impression as if it were receiving supply upstream, said Awami Tehrik Chief Rasool Bus Palejo.

He urged international and Pakistan-based human rights organisations to raise their voice for halting release of lake water into River Indus which was equally dangerous for human and ecology.

He said in a statement that although closing period of River Indus was now over but water shortage still persisted in areas of lower Sindh where people faced shortage of even drinking water for themselves and their animals. This was the reason it was being released to give an impression that river was getting its share.

He said Manchhar's water had become contaminated due to poisonous water from Punjab. He said sub-soil water was saline in lower Sindh and people were compelled to use poisonous water knowingly its effect on human and livestock.