HYDERABAD, March 29: The local chapter of the Jamaat-i-Islami has accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement of creating hurdles in the release of Hyderabad Development Package funds.

It also condemned the indifferent attitude of the Sindh government on the issue. Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Monday, JI district president Maulana Abdul Waheed Qureshi said that the MQM, which had threatened to quit the Sindh government in the Shaista Almani case, should have quit the government and join the protest of Nazims against the prime minister's statement on the issue.

The JI leader alleged that the MQM in the past had no interest in resolving the problems of Hyderabad. He said that water supply and sewerage system of the second biggest city of Sindh had collapsed and its roads, playgrounds and parks had been ruined.

He said that the people had hoped that with the introduction of district government system that the problems of Hyderabad would be resolved but in vain. He said to what extent the peoples' confidence in the new system was shattered could be witnessed from indifferent attitude of the people during the local bodies by-elections held on Sunday.

He said that it was known to all and sundry that the prime minister had announced Rs10.5 billion Hyderabad Development Package on Sept 13, 2003, and the Sindh government in this context had held many meetings. He also pointed out that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad had constituted a committee under his chairmanship.

He, however, said that the prime minister's statement had disappointed the people and the district, taluka and union council Nazis and Naib Nazims had threatened to resign.

He regretted that till date no clarification had come from Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah jamali. The JI leader recalled that the MQM had tried to take credit for the package and Altaf Hussain had declared at a huge public meeting held in Pacca Qila that it was due to him that the package had been announced. He added that banners had been displayed throughout the city, congratulating the MQM chief on the feat.

He, however, claimed that their was no response from the people because everyone knew that it was due to the efforts of district Nazim and council that the package was announced.

Maulana Qureshi was of the opinion that since the MQM failed to get credit, it had created hurdles in the release of the package funds. He said that the MQM had ruled over the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for eight years but it had done nothing for the city.

He demanded that the government should restore the package and initiate development works during the current year. He further demanded that Rs500 million package announced by former governor Mohammedmian Soomro, Rs141 of the Annual Development Programme and Rs86 million of sugarcane cess should also be immediately released.

He said that Hyderabad paid annual taxes to the tune of Rs20 billion and if the prime minister had announced the package, it was the right of the people. The JI leader warned that if the funds were not released, they would convene an all parties conference and chalk out a strategy to launch a protest movement.

JI city president Shaikh Shoukat Ali, district council member and National Labour Federation provincial president Rana Mehmood Ali Khan and Al-Khidmat Foundation head Rao Masood Ali Khan were also present on the occasion.