HYDERABAD, April 11: Representatives of several nationalist parties held a meeting here on Sunday evening to consider the situation arising out of the division of Hyderabad district. The meeting issued a joint declaration condemning the division of the district and constituted a “Save Hyderabad City Committee” to launch a struggle against the decision. The chairman of the Jeay Sindh Qaumparast Party, Mr Qamar Bhatti, presided over the meeting.

STPP chairman Dr Qadir Magsi, Sindh Hari Committee president Azhar Jatoi, Sindh National Party chairman Ameer Bhambhro, PPP MPA Zahid Bhurgari, SNF leader Ayub Shar, PTI leader Ghulam Nabi Qureshi, Seraiki Qaumi Movement chairman Makhdoom Muzaffar Hashmi advocate and poet Roshan ‘Sundar’ Chandio attended the meeting.

The meeting observed that the division was tantamount to tampering with history and demography of the historic city and depriving Sindhis of their right over the city.

Speaking at a news conference, Qamar Bhatti condemned the division of Hyderabad and said the move would be resisted.

He said the city was the heart of Sindh and it could not be given to an ethnic group as a political bribe.

He warned the rulers that the Sindhis would not give up their cities or allow anyone to distort history, culture and unity of Sindh.

He said Sindhi villages in Malir district were being bulldozed and outsiders were being allowed to settle in Sindh. He said this was a conspiracy to divide Sindh.

He alleged that the MQM was behind the conspiracy.

DEMO PLANNED: The Awami Tehrik has decided to convene a national conference in Bhitshah on May 21 to draft a charter about the issues and concerns of the Sindhi nation.

At a general council meeting on Sunday, it decided to organize a week-long protest demonstrations and hunger strikes from April 14 to 20 throughout Sindh against the division of Hyderabad district.

Talking to newsmen, AT chief Rasool Bux Palijo said a reception would be hosted on April 30 in honour of those who had participated in the long march against the Kalabagh dam and greater Thal canal.