Awami Tahreek - Sindh Long March-English Media

8/14/2019 Awami Tahreek - Sindh Long March-English Media

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NEWS/ ARTICLESAs Published InENGLISH MEDIA

Regarding

AWAMI TAHREEKS

QUOMI AWAMI LONG MARCH

Collected by:

Kalavanti Raja


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Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj)

Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement of the masses of Sindh)announces Long March

The Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement of the masses of Sindh) announces

46 days historical Long March 8th Oct to 22 Nov 2009 (from Kandhkot to

Karachi) for Autonomy, NFC, Water, Education and Resources and Rights of

Sindh and against Corruption, Lawlessness, Terrorism, Unemployment and

man-made Inflation. Prior to this mega event the annual central elections of

Awami Tahreek, shall be held on 28th September 2009 at Yesrab Hall

Qasimabad, Hyderabad, Sindh.

Daily Times

Awami Tehreek Long March

KARACHI: The Rasool Bux Palijo-led Awami Tahreek (AT) announced on

Friday that it would organise a long march in first week of October against the

alleged settlement of outsiders in the Sindh as well as other issues faced by

the province. AT President Abdul Qadir Ranto made this announcement while

addressing at a protest rally at the Karachi Press Club. A number of women

activists belonging to AT women wing Sindhyani Tahreek also participated in

the rally. Ranto said that the planned protest long march would begin from

Kandhkot and end in Karachi. Besides settlement of outsiders in Sindh, the

party would also record its protest on other issues, including restraining Sindhi

students from admissions in educational institutions in Karachi and the

allotment of millions of acres of provincial land to non-Sindhi population, said

Ranto. Sindhyani Tahreeks Zahida Shaikh as well as ATs Abdul Hakeem

Halepoto, Hakim Zangejo, Mazhar Rahujo and others also spoke on the

occasion.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C08%5C08%5Cstory

_8-8-2009_pg12_7


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Daily Dawn

Losses from water shortage: AT wants Sindh compensated-Awami Tahreek Annual Convention

HYDERABAD, Sept 30: The annual convention of the Awami Tehrik held hereon Tuesday demanded through a resolution compensation for the huge losses

Sindh had suffered over the past 150 years from perennial water shortage.

The convention presided over by AT leader Rasool Bux Palijo passed a

number of resolutions, one of which called for an end to robbery of Indus

waters and Sindh had been denied its rightful share in water over the

decades.The gathering strongly criticised proposed construction of dams on the Indus

and the project for Greater Thal Canal and alleged that 33,000 cusec of

Sindhs share was being stolen daily through Taunsa-Panjnad and Chashma-

Jehlum link canals.

It said the proposed construction of a powerhouse on Chashma-Jehlum link

canal would prove detrimental to the interests of Sindh and demanded that

Sindhs natural resources should be returned to Sindhis.

It alleged that tens of thousands of acres of land on the Super Highway and

the National highway and pieces of land in prime locations in other areas of

the province were being sold to outsiders and multinational companies.

The cities of Karachi and Hyderabad had been handed over to terrorists and

billions of rupees were being given to their district governments without audit

while funds for other districts had been stopped, said the gathering.

It said that admission of Sindhi students to educational institutions in Karachi

had been banned and the educational system in the interior of Sindh was

being destroyed under a conspiracy.

It demanded that the elements who were involved in violence in the

educational institutions should be arrested and awarded deterrent

punishment.

The convention demanded that the Sindhi villages in Karachi should be

regularised and the conspiracy to convert Sindhis into a minority should be


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done away with.

It opposed development of a new city Zulfiqarabad and urged the government

to take effective measures to abolish jirga and sardari system and abolish the

black custom of karo-kari.

It said the people involved in the massacre of innocent people in the bloody

incidents of May 12, April 9 and Oct 8 should be arrested. The cases lodged

against people belonging to a particular party should be reopened and the

accused should be awarded deterrent punishment, said the gathering.

The convention reaffirmed its resolve to stage a long march from Kandhkot to

Karachi on Nov 22.

It said that the United States of America and its allies, including European

countries and Israel were trying to enslave the third world in the name of

restoration of human rights, democracy and war against terrorism.

It said the most rulers of the third world were American surrogates and their

domestic and foreign poli-cies were framed under the dictation of imperialist

forces.

The convention urged people of the third world countries to unite to fight

against exploitative forces and accused Pakistani rulers of following the pro-

American policies of former dictator Pervez Musharraf.

Meanwhile, names of new office-bearers of the central body of Awami Tehrik

were announced. The convention was told that Ayaz Latif Palijo had been

elected the president, Syed Alam Shah senior vice president and Mohammad

Khan Bhurgari general secretary.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-

newspaper/national/losses-from-water-shortage-at-wants-sindh-

compensated-109


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Letter by the President of Awami Tahreek

To,: All Committed Democrats

Fraternal greeting to all of you!

This is to introduce to you a patriotic socio-political organization Awami

Tahreek (Peoples Movement) based in Sindh, (Pakistan) with its

Headquarters at Hyderabad, Sindh.

People connected with Awami Tahreek have been in the fore front of every

democratic and patriotic movement and struggle in Pakistan in general and

Sindh province in particular since the mid-sixties.

Awami Tahreek is an organization with a broad world out-look and believes in

all around and all-embracing change for the better in all fields in Sindh and

Pakistan, in South Asia, Asia and the third world and in our entire global

village which is also called the space-ship earth.

We in Awami Tahreek have always had and have always retained a firm faith

in humanity and its bright future inspite of all the unhappy, sad and dark

centuries of its existence since time immemorial and in spite of all the turmoil

it is facing to day all over the world.

We observe that the centers of human evolution and progress have kept

shifting from place to place, country to country and continent to continent.

While the fountain head of the emergence of humanity is recognized to be the

African continent and the cradle of its early great civilization of faiths has been

Asia, the firm roots of world modernity, scientificality and democracy go back

to Greco-Roman civilization in Europe. Our century has witnessed the rise

and fall of Russia, the rise of both the far west (America) and far eastparticularly including Japan and China.

We believe that along with the great Eastern peoples like the Japanese, the

Russians, the Chinese and others, peoples of our sub-continent too are

entitled to the stability, prosperity, progress and human glory that was and

once more promises to be the East which is rising up again and lifting its head

and by the sacrifice of its sweat and blood is becoming readier to march hand

in hand with all the fraternal and friendly people of the non-imperialist

democratic West.


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We believe that while the role of profit-based competitive market-economy

has proved to be much greater than it was previously realized, it can not be

and is not the Panacea for all the evils afflicting humanity. The most

fundamental and enduring problems confronting mankind call for fellow-

feeling, co-operation and united effort aimed at mutual benefit rather than cut-

throat competition, rivalry and strife.

We believe that a uni-polar world is bound to end-up in confrontation, and

attempts at domination of entire humanity by a single gigantic world centre

compared to the vastness of whose domain that of the Roman, Muslim,

Chinese, Mongol and British empires would appear to be a mere childs play.

A multi-polar world alone can meet the requirements of our world to-day for

peace, co-operation and for all-round social, economic , cultural, scientific andtechnological progress.

Awami Tahreek has been very active since its inception in its support for the

struggle for democracy, rule of law, justice, fair-play, provincial autonomy and

basic human rights for everyone specially the women,, minorities and the

weaker sections of our society. In this regard we have launched a long march

from Kandh Kot (Sindh) the hub of the sardari (feudal) system of Sindh,

Pakistan. The march was started by our activists on October 8, 2009.

Thousands of Awami Tehrik workers both men and women were at the

venue. The people were chanting slogans against the terrorism, autocracy,

corruption, jirga and sardari system, condemning the practice of karo kari

(honor killings), asking for educational and health facilities and demanding

opportunities for employment. The marchers would cover about 20kms each

day and the route of the march will cover the length and breadth of Sindh. The

total distance of Long March and dozens of short marches from Kandhkot to

the Karachi Press Club is about 960 kms and same will be covered in 46

days. I invite you to extend your solidarity and to support and participate in

this historic and unique event in the history of social and grassroots political

movements in Pakistan.

Yours affectionately,

President AWAMI TAHREEK

[email protected]

[email protected]

92-300-3063471


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LONG MARCH started..Emotional scenes observed in tribalno-go-areas

Kandhkot-Pakistan: Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement's) national LongMarch started from Kandhkot yesterday on 8th October and reached at

Karampur today. The march is organized against ongoing unemployment,

price-hike, terrorism, lawlessness and acute shortage of water in Sindh

Renown intellectual and Awami Tahreek's chief, 80 year old cardiac patient,

Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo, newly elected Central President of the party and

Human Rights lawyer Ayaz Latif Palijo, General Secretary Muhammad Khan

Bhurgri, Syed Alam Shah and former central president Qadir Ranto areleading the 46 days long protest long march. Thousands of brave women and

men passing through the tribal no-go-areas of Kandhkot, Ghouspur and

Karampur raised slogans for complete provincial autonomy, major share in

NFC an implementation on 1940 resolution and against tribalism, jirga

system, lawlessness, KARO KARI, SANG CHATTI, water shortage and

discrimination against Sindhis in Karachi. Hundreds of workers of JSQM,

Tarqi Pasand PArty, Jamait Islami and PPP Shaheed Bhutto also joined the

workers of Awami Tahreek.

Addressing the crowd at Kandhkot Mr Rasool Bux Palijo said that people of

Sindh are fighting for their survival. He said this is time to mobilise people for

issues like Greater Thal Canal, unemployment, recovery of various taxes and

water shortage. He said PPP led government is betraying the cause of Sindh

and they will have to face the consequences. He demanded that Sindhis must

be ensured their due share of jobs in the provincial and federal governments,

semi-government & autonomous agencies including civil, military and foreign

services. He criticized the present govt for continuing the ongoing work on

Thal Canal and said that the people of Sindh will not accept the construction

of greater Thal it was the unanimous opinion of over 45 million people of the

province that the canal was an anti-Sindh project and should be shelved

without any further delay.

The President of Awami Tahreek Ayaz Latif Palijo condemned the forcible

taking over of the coal, oil, lands, islands and fishing areas of Sindh by the

Federal and City government. Ayaz said that Awami Tahreek would not only


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contest the next elections but the leaders would visit various cities and towns

of Sindh and inform the landless and jobless people about what's happening

with them and who is responsible for this. He said in past few months several

activists of STP, SUP and JSQM have been brutally murdered, SNF chief was

arrested and humiliated and JSQM chief was attacked but none of the culprits

has been arrested so far, which shows the criminal negligence of the

Provincial and federal Govt. He said that Awami Tahreek is not against any

groups or nation but it opposes those who perpetuate atrocities on the Sindhis

and other working classes of Pakistan. He lashed out at Wapda, IRSA and the

establishment for withholding water supply to Sindh and opposed the

construction of greater Thal canal.

The protesters will march through various cities and reach at Karachi onMarch 22 November where they would stage a sit-in in front of the Mazar-e-

Quaid and Press Club. Today on Ghospur to Karampur roads thousands of

men including hundreds of tribal women of Bijarani, Bhaya, Teghani, Jakhrani,

Bapar, Malik, Noonari and Jattoi communities led by their village heads came

on roads, welcomed the participants and blocked the main highway. While

addressing them Ayaz Latif Palijo said when you soem times ignore the

directions of your GOd and sometimes forget about the wishes of your

parents then why can't you disobey the illegal and inhuman commands ofyour

sardars. He took oath of thousand of people thet if their Sardar would direct

them to attack an innocent man of opponent tribe or to kill a women in the

name of honor killing you will refuse to obey such orders.

Some emotional scenes were observed under the scorching sun when

hundreds of peasant bagri women appeared from ghospur to join the

marchers. The Sindhiani Tahreek activists chanted slogans of Namanzoor

Namanzoor Jirga system, Namanzoor, Namanzoor Namanzoor Karo Kari

Namanzoor, Band Karyo Band Karyo Dahshatgardi Band Karyo. Darya Khatir

Jhero aaa, Panee khatir jhero aaa. The marchers would walk 20 to 28 km

daily, and after holding rallies and peaceful sit-ins at Shikarpur, Sukkur,

Ranipur, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz, Moro, Dolatpur, Qazi Ahmed, Panj Moro,

Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohd Khan, Shah Karim Bulri, Bathoro,

Sujawal, Thatto, Gharo, Bhanbhor, Landhi will ultimately reach at Karachi

after 46 days and a grand peaceful protest rally will be held in front of Press

Club Karachi.


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Daily Dawn

Call for Shaikh Ayaz varsity in Shikarpur

SHIKARPUR, Oct 11: Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palijo has urged the

provincial government to set up a university in Shikarpur named after ShaikhAyaz, the great Sindhi poet of the 20th century, who was born and brought up

in the historic city.

He was addressing participants of a long march, which started from

Kashmore on Thursday and reached the Lakhi Gate roundabout here on

Sunday. The march is aimed at highlighting the problems faced by Sindhis. Mr

Palijo said that Sindh was in deep crisis and its people were facing severehardships. Sindhi people should unite to wage a struggle to take back their

usurped rights, he stressed.

He accused the government comprising people belonging to feudal families of

selling Sindh and its natural resources to outsiders who have grabbed its

wealth.

He said: Selfish politicians and rulers are supporting the elements who are

trying to convert sons of the soil into a minority in their own motherland.

Mr Palijo called upon nationalist, political and religious parties to shun

differences and unite for the national cause of wresting back usurped rights.

He said his party would continue its struggle for Sindhs rights and asked

outsiders, including the US to leave Sindh and its natural resources.

Naseer Mangi of the Jeay Sindh Mahaz, Abdul Qadir Abro of Jamaat-i-Islami,

Maulvi Abdul Fatah Mahar and Ms Zahida Shaikh of AT also spoke to the

marchers.


newspaper/national/call-for-shaikh-ayaz-varsity-in-shikarpur-209


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Daily DawnLong march not against democracy; party to participate incoming polls.

SUKKUR, Oct 14 Leaders of Awami Tehrik have said that the people ofPakistan would never ever accept the Kerry-Lugar Bill because it is against

the interests of the country and its people.

They said that for the last 62 years rulers had ignored people and protected

their vested interests, due to which people of Pakistan were now living a

miserable condition.

They were addressing people who had gathered at Teer Chowk here on

Wednesday to welcome the participants of the ATs long march. AT president

Ayaz Latif Palijo, vice-president Hakeem Zangejo, Mohammad Khan, Umar

Samoon, Zahida Shaikh and Dr Sabiha Arshad spoke on the occasion.

The long march, aimed to highlight burning issues of Sindh started from

Kandhkot on October 8 and it would culminate in Karachi on November 22.

The AT leaders said that the long march was not against the democracy, but it

was aimed at to get just rights for Sindh. The AT and other pro-Sindh forces

have always struggled for the just rights of the province and would continue to

do so till the goal is achieved. They also announced that the AT would take

active part in the next general elections.

They alleged that the rulers were acting according to the whims and wishes of

their western masters, due to which the country sustained irreparable loss. So

much so that they were not even effectively raising voice on the drone attacks

by the USA, due to which many innocent lives were being lost every day, they

added.

Hitting hard the PPP-led coalition, they said during election campaign, they

raised slogans of Roti, Kapra aur Makaan and people voted them to power,

but since their coming to power, they have done nothing to provide relief to


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the people. They rather over-burdened the people with crisis such as

lawlessness, price hike, unemployment, shortage of wheat-flour, sugar, water,

electricity, gas and others.

They regretted that Sindh was particularly experiencing lawlessness, due to

tribal feuds, which are sparked by feudal lords and tribal chiefs. They said

these feuds had claimed hundreds of innocent lives, while education and

agriculture sectors were badly affected, but Sindh government seemed to be

helpless.

They said Sindh had been subjected to atrocities since long and it was the

right time to launch a joint struggle for its rights, and added that an unjust NFCaward would never be accepted.

They said that only Sindhis have right over the resources of the province, and

urged the federal government to hand over all the resources of Sindh to its

people. They also demanded complete provincial autonomy for Sindh.

Earlier, when the participants of long march reached the railway crossing,

Sukkur, a large number of political workers and people accorded them a warm

welcome and showered them with rose petals.After a successful public

meeting at Teer Chowk, the participants of the march left for Khairpur.

AT chief Rasool Bux Palijo was not present in the march, because he was

admitted to a Shikarpur hospital on Tuesday due to breathing problem.


newspaper/national/long-march-not-against-democracy-party-to-participate-in-

coming-polls-army-wont-accept-kerrylugar-at-509


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The News International

A long march for social change

Monday, October 19, 2009

Sarwar Bari

This is a stronghold of Bijarani, Somroo, Jhakhrani, Oghai and Taighani

sardars, answered a handsome Sindhi villager who was sitting next to me on

a charpai at a roadside restaurant on the Super Indus Highway, where we had

stopped to have tea. My peculiar appearance (white beard, moustache and a

ponytail) and interest in their issues caught the attention of others, who

wanted to share their thoughts. In order to trigger a debate, I asked about the

role of these tribal sardars in local development and their well being. No one

had anything good to say about the sardars and the successive governments

in which the former have played a major role. Almost everyone complained

about their tyranny, and the lack of educational and health facilities. Among

them was a teacher who said that it had been many years since a school was

opened or upgraded in his taluka. In fact, most schools had become non-

functional despite the swelling population.

One man said that in his area, 100 people have been killed over the theft of a

buffalo and the sardars have been playing a huge role in the perpetuation of

the feud. Since most rural populations are organised on primordial lineages,

very often in the case of a conflict, the feuding parties would approach

different local factional leaders for help. In return, they would have to vote for

him or his nominee in elections. They blamed their sardars for the

perpetuation of feuds as it allows them to have control and exert power over

the population. According to them, the local police, revenue officials and lower

judiciary collaborate with the sardars in this nefarious game. The government

officials are bound to serve the sardars, as they are the peoples

representatives and the law makers too. Why did you vote for such

candidates? I asked them. Their answer was crisp and sharp. Our choice is

restricted between one feudal sardar or the other.

They also complained that most mainstream political parties issue tickets to


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those candidates who were wealthy and have their own vote bank which

means bonded haris, according to the teacher. He also said that these

sardars are the gatekeepers of our areas they dont allow anybody to unite

the people. An old man said that be it military dictators or civilian

governments, these sardars have remained in power as a class.

However, the gatekeepers were challenged a few days ago when the Awami

Tehrik launched a long march from Kandh Kot the hub of the sardari

system of Sindh. The march was kick-started by Rasool Buksh Palijo and his

party workers on October 8. Thousands of Awami Tehrik workers both men

and women were at the venue. The people were chanting slogans against

the jirga and sardari system, condemning the practice of karo kari, asking foreducational and health facilities and demanding opportunities for employment.

The issues that are being raised through the long march reflect the true

aspirations of the people. Throughout the three days that I spent with the

people at the long march, I saw men, women and children of goths along the

Super Highway waiting to welcome us. Some were holding traditional snacks;

others had set up sabeels of cold water for us. Most of them joined us in

sloganeering. I was curious to know who and what had motivated them to

welcome the marchers. Most said the local influential sardars had in fact

instructed them not to welcome the marchers. They dared to defy the orders

of their sardars. Moreover, many passersby would show gestures of solidarity.

The marchers covered about 20kms on day one. We spent the first night in

Ghauspur a small town on the highway. Next morning, we walked for

another 20kms and finished the day at Karampur another small town on the

same highway. We spent the second night at village Pirbux Shujra. Hassan

Ali, a local leader of the Awami Tehrik, was our host. The area we covered in

two days is a stronghold of Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, the Federal Minister for

Education. I was curious to know what changes in education had come about

since he became the minister. The villagers told me that there had not been

any improvement and that they did not expect much in the future. They said

out of the 20 odd schools only four were functional in their union council.


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In order to verify the claim of the villagers, I spoke to some independent

people of the area who repeated what I had already heard. I then visited

various websites. The data I found about Human Development Index (HDI)

ranking of, and allocation of budget for, education in these districts proved

what the people had told me. According to the National Development Report

2003-UNDP, Shikarpur and Jacobabad fall at the bottom of the HDI ranking

list. According to a recent survey conducted by the Sindh government, these

districts have one of the highest numbers of ghost schools and have high

absenteeism among teachers and health officials. The overall literacy rate in

these districts is much lower than the national average (30 per cent). The

national average is 54 per cent. In comparison to other districts, the budget

allocation for educational development has been less than three per cent; therest goes to recurring costs, that is, to cover salaries of the absentee teachers

and ghost schools.

The area is infamous for crimes against women; that is, karokari, wanni etc.

The role of tribal chiefs is shameful in this regard. They have been using the

jirga as a tool to please men in order to keep the women in complete

subjugation.

Therefore, the decision to start the long march from Kandhkot was significant.

It was like throwing the first stone against the tribal-feudal chiefs who have

been kept in power for decades, now by an unholy alliance of the PPP and

MQM and before by uniformed politicians. The MQM, whose rhetoric against

the feudal elite is revolutionary, has actually been helping feudal sardars to

maintain status quo.

Coming back to the long march, I was pleasantly surprised that despite fear of

retaliation from the local feudal lords, dacoits and terrorists, nobody carried

any weapons. Nobody was scared. The marchers were peaceful and highly

disciplined. They walked on the left of the highway, which helped the traffic

move smoothly a rare occurrence during processions. The girls and boys,

and men and women strode towards their destination. They sang

revolutionary songs, shouted slogans and were proud of being part of the

march. Despite harsh weather, poor facilities and unsuitable walking shoes


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nobody wanted to give up. I told Palijo this should have been called a walk of

endurance.

The route of the march will cover the length and breadth of Sindh. The total

distance from Kandhkot to the Karachi Press Club (KPC), where it will end, is

about 1,000kms. The distance will be covered in 46 days. This is perhaps a

historic and unique event in the history of social movements in Pakistan. Yet,

the mainstream media finds little news worthiness in it. All over the world, the

media tends to give coverage to elitist, glamorous and bloody events. The

Pakistani media is no different. Marginalizing peaceful and democratic

demonstrations can push people towards extreme steps. We cant afford to let

this happen any longer. A man in the roadside hotel said: the long march isgood but not enough; we need to take up arms against the oppressors. I tried

to convince him otherwise by giving him a comparison of the Swat Taliban,

Lal Masjid militants and the lawyers movement. One was bloody and the

other was peaceful. Who won, I asked him. He kept quiet. He did not want to

argue, perhaps out of courtesy. The writing on the wall is clear the people

of Pakistan are fed up with the existing leadership and prepared to play their

role. Social movements across all four provinces and FATA must join hands in

order to transform social base of our polity. We know very well only social

movements have brought meaningful social change and democratic

development in history.

The writer is a civil society activist. Email: [email protected]

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=203866


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SAMAA

Masses of the Sindh are facing Poverty and Crises

The Long March held by the Awami Tehreek arrived in Naushahro Feroze on

Friday after journeying from Kandhkot on way to Karachi for saving the assets

of Sindh. Hundreds of citizens and members of the civil society welcomed the

march . Long march led by the Ayaz latif Palejo president Awami tahri ,

central Secratery general of awami tahrik Mohammed Khan Bhurgeri ,Qadir

rantho ,Hakeem Halepoto ,Umra Samoonand others Talking to Hundreds of

citizens and members of the Ayaz Latif palejo said that our resources and

cities are in the grip of terrorist and we are struggling for our survival and

safety . Our long march is a referendum against the present PPP government

Palejo said . On 22 November 2009 we will prove in Karachi that the present

rulers are not acceptable to us . He further said our masses will have to come

to the fore in order to save our resources from the look and plunder of the

PPP rulers . He praised the women and children participating in the long

march and said that they have done a wonder full performance by walking

more the 1300 kilo meters. He further said that the masses of the sindh are

facing poverty and crises and un standard education but government are not

ready to solve the problems . They said which is the will of Benazir Bhutto that

after killing of her the murderer FIR of her will be lodged against Ex president

Gen Parwaiz Mushraf which is the will of Benazir Bhutto but ppp government

is not ready this will of Benazir Bhutto .

http://isamaa.tv/report/2009-10-23-awami-tahrik-long-march-reached-nferoze/


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Frontier Post

When Long march reached Moro

MORO (PPI): The 'long march' of Awami Tehreek for highlighting the rights of

Sindh province reached here on Saturday. A large number of activists belong

to Jamaat-e-Islami, Jeay Sindh Mahaz, Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, Labour

Party and other political and civil society organizations warmly welcomed the

convoy and showered flower petals on them.

Addressing on the occasion, President Amami Tehreek Ayaz Latif Palejo said

landlords, and politicians have sold rivers, lands and mines of Sindh,

however, the people of Sindh would not allow grip of anyone on the resources

of the province. He said the people of Sindh deserve to avail resources of

Sindh themseleves.

He demanded of government to raise the salaries of police and judges of

Sindh and make them at par with those officials in Punjab.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=2805&ad=25-10-

2009


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Daily Dawn

We are not against Kerry-Lugar but in past enmity &friendship of USA with nations is linked to its own interests-Ayaz Palijo

HYDERABAD, Nov 1: The Awami Tehrik has opposed Kerry-Lugar Act on the

ground that it is aimed to protect US interests as it had been proved time and

again that US always tried to safeguards its own interests.

At a press conference here on Sunday, AT president Ayaz Latif Palijo, said

that the Act should be opposed because, instead of accepting it with strict

conditions, the wealth looted by plunderers and kept in US, Dubai, London,

Switzerland and other countries banks, should be brought back for

development of the country.

The AT president said that a long march of party activists which had begun

from Kandhkot on October 8 would reach Hyderabad on November 4. The

marchers have been welcomed in different districts by residents as it was

aimed at to highlight burning issues confronting Sindh, he said.

The march has entered into its 25th day and the participants are currently

staying in Matiari, Palijo said, adding that they would cover 800 kilometers in

46 days.

He expressed the hope that people of Hyderabad would accord a historic

welcome to the participants of the march.

Talking about proceedings of central executive committee of AT, he said that

the central committee has discussed the issue of National Reconciliation

Ordinance (NRO) through which terrorists, who were involved in bloodshed in

looting properties since 1986, have benefited.

He said that the meeting demanded reopening of cases regarding May 12,

October 18 and April 9 killings which should be challaned in courts.

Opposing Kerry-Lugar Act, the AT executive committee noted that US always

preferred its interests and its enmity and friendship with different nations and

countries is always directly linked to its own interests, Palijo said. He said that

imperialist designs were working behind Kerry- Lugar law.


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Long March arrives in Hyderabad amid show of solidarity

HYDERABAD: Participants of a the Awami Tehreeks long march arrived here

on Wednesday and a large number of people attended the rally which passed

through various streets of the city.

The march had started from Kandhkot on Oct 8 and reached the outskirts of

Hyderabad late on Tuesday night and entered the city on Wednesday

afternoon. The rally was joined by leaders of various political parties outside

the Hyderabad Press Club. Those who spoke outside the press club included

AT chief Rasool Bux Palijo, his son and AT leader Ayaz Latif Palijo, Asadullah

Bhutto of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Hyder Shani of the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand

Party, Dodo Mehri of the Sindh United Party and Niaz Kalani of the Jeay

Sindh Qaumi Mahaz.

The participants included women who were also carrying banners, placards

and party flags. They also raised slogans against the government.The long

march was organised against the lawlessness in Sindh, unjustified share forSindh in the NFC award, water shortage and other injustices with the people

of Sindh. The participants would leave here on Thursday morning the march

would culminate in Karachi on Nov 22 where leaders of national and regional

parties are expected to attend it.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=206940


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Daily Dawn

AT marchers ask PPP to be sincere with nation

HYDERABAD, Nov 4: Participants of Awami Tehriks long march cautioned

the PPP government here on Wednesday to show its commitment to people

of Sindh who had voted it to power in the name of late Benazir Bhutto

otherwise the very same people had the potential to dislodge it. The marchers

entered Hyderabad late afternoon and would leave for Karachi on Thursday.

Earlier the march began from Mehboob Solangi village near Hatri bypass

intersection at the outskirts of the city. Marching on main thoroughfares of the

city, the participants gathered on Risala Road in front of Government Boys

High School where leaders addressed a gathering which included a large

number of women.

AT leader Rasool Bux Palijo said that it was an honour for people of Sindh

that they were following the path of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and they felt proud

that they were not with rulers whom they had exposed time and again. He

said that they were fighting for a just cause. He said that people were being

befooled in the name of democracy for the past 62 years. He said that Sindhbelonged to indigenous people who were owners of all its resources but said

that neither all the Urdu-speaking nor all the Sindhi speaking people could be

considered friends of Sindh. We will have to exclude terrorists form Urdu

speaking people and traitors from among Sindhis, he said. He said that he

had once told late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that if Sindhis were separated from

Bengalis, the former would be enslaved.

AT president Ayaz Latif Palijo said that lines were clearly drawn between

dictators and those resisting them in Sindh and added that the long march

had a message for all those who had become disappointed with politics. He

said that people had voted PPP to power but it did not ensure arrest of killers

of its own leader. Do we still expect from the PPP that it will resolve Sindhs

issues when it has failed to arrest those who killed Benazir Bhutto, he

questioned. He said that long march was activating Sindhi people.

Sindh Hari Committees Azhar Jatoi said that Sindhs existence was at stake


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because lands were being allotted to foreigners and outsiders were being

settled in Sindh. He said that PPP leadership should mend its ways because

people of Sindh were fed up with its loot and plunder of resources and they

wouldnt let it happen. He said that if PPP didnt desist from it then Sindhi

people would not support it.

Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Partys Hyder Shahani paid tribute to the marchers

who are carrying a message that Sindh belongs to indigenous people. He

said that AT and STP had always stood for just cause and always caused

ripples in ruling clique. Dr Dodo Maheri of the Sindh United Alliance, Dr Niaz

Kalani of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sindhiani Tehrik president Zahida

Sheikh, Jami Chandio and Alam Shah also spoke on the occasion.http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-

newspaper/national/at-marchers-ask-ppp-to-be-sincere-with-nation-519


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An Amazing Day, When hundreds of thousand Peoplegathered in Awami Tahreek's Long March

My God. unbelievable!!!. Today was a unique day, a day when Awami

Tahreek (Peoples Movement's) national Long March entered into Hyderabad

and welcomed by lacs (hundreds of thousands) of people. When the march

reached at city gate hotel its rear end was near Hala Naka at the distance of 3

kilometers. It was welcomed by all political parties except PPP and MQM. The

march is organized against ongoing unemployment, price-hike, terrorism,

lawlessness and acute shortage of water in Sindh. Due to new tolerant and

harmonious policies of Awami Tahreek's newle elected president Ayaz Latif

Palijo, when he started his todays journey from Isra University, he was

welcomed, garlanded and accompanied by JSQM delegation led by Vice

Chairman and former Central General Secretary Dr. Niaz Kalani, STP

delegation led by Sen. Vice Charmian Haider Shahani and Muzafar Kalhoro,

SUP delegation led by Sen. VP Dr Dodo Maheri and Roshan Buriro, Jamait

Islami delegation led by Sindh President Molana Asadullah Bhutto MNA, PPP

Shaheed Bhutto delegation led by CEC member and central leader MajeedSial, Sindh Hari Comeetee delegation led by Chiraman Azahar Jattoi, Save

Sindh Movement delegation led by Faqeer Rematullah Hisbani and by Labor

Party, JSSF, JUI and SNF delegations. This was another Sindh, a Sindh with

new imagination and new initiatives of Sir Ayaz.

Renown intellectual and Awami Tahreek's chief, 80 year old legend Saeen

Rasool Bux Palijo was looking so delighted that it was apparent that he

himself was amazed on presence of lacs of men and women walking for rights

of Sindh under the flag of Awami Tahreek. Newly elected Central President of

the party and Human Rights lawyer Ayaz Latif Palijo, General Secretary

Muhammad Khan Bhurgri, Syed Alam Shah and former central president

Qadir Ranto were leading the 46 days protest long march. Lacs of brave

women and men passing through the cultural capital of Sindh raised slogans

against terrorism, tribalism, jirga system, lawlessness, honor killings, water

shortage and discrimination against Sindhis in Hyderabad, Islamabad and

Karachi. The protesters will march through various cities and reach at Karachi

on March 22 November where they would stage a mega Jalsa-e-Am in front


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of the Mazar-e-Quaid and Press Club. Today in Hyderabad Lacs of men

including thousands of urban women came on roads near Civil Hospital, Tilak

Charhi, Gari Khata, Citizen Colony, Nasim Nagar Chok and Qasimababd.

SST and Sindh Nojawan Tahreek youth welcomed the participants and

peacefully blocked all the main roads and proved that it was an indigenous

metropolitan of Sindhis. While addressing the jubilant crowd leaders of all

parties congratulated new president and his team for such gigantic effort.

Ayaz Latif took oath of thousands of people that they will not rest till the final

success of masses. During Ayaz Latif and Rasool Bux Palijo's speech some

emotional scenes were observed near gol building and Nasim Nagar when

thousands of citizens garlanded the leaders and welcomed them with non-

stopping applaud, which was directly telecasted by GEO TV, ARY, AAJ, SindhTV, KTN, Awaz, and Mehran. They covered and relayed the live speeches of

Palijo sahib and Ayaz Latif and Aaj and GEO declared it as an unprecedented

event in history of Sindh. ARY TV during live telecast mentioned that a large

number of citizens and political workers and people accorded them a warm

welcome and showered them with rose petals.

I am so happy, it was THE DAY. Congrats to all of you and to those who are

well-wishers of Sindh and of 17 crore common people. Hats off to Ayaz Latif

Palijo, Saeen Palijo sahab, Awami Tahreek and Sindhiani Tahreek. A new

political power is emerging in Sindh lets support Awami Tahreek, lets join

Awami Tahreek and grand qaflo of Ayaz Palijo.


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Daily Dawn

PPP tilted towards the US, which had damaged its

popularity. It miserably failed to deliver & lost its

image-Ayaz Latif PalijoSunday, November 15, 2009 at 5:40amTHATTA, Nov 14: Leaders of the Awami Tehrik have opposed attempts todislodge the PPP government. Speaking to participants of a long march offthe National Highway, they said that although the government adopted anti-Sindh polices and failed to solve basic issues of people, the AT would notanyone to topple its government

AT leader Rasool Bux Palijo, president Ayaz Latif Palijo and Sindhiani Tehrikleader Zahida Shaikh were addressing participants of the long march off theNational Highway on Saturday. Hundreds of people joined them to express

solidarity. Participants raised slogans and staged a sit-in.Rassol Bux Palijo said that since the independence, leaders and bureaucratshad been protecting their vested interests. Now when Pakistan had gonebankrupt, leaders were accepting charity on specified terms laid down by theUS. He said the AT was a practical party and fought for the rights of Sindhis.The long march would ensure legitimate rights of Sindh.

Ayaz Latif Palijo said that there was no doubt that the PPP tilted towards theUS, which had damaged its popularity. He said that it miserably failed todeliver and lost its image by supporting an ethnic group. He said the PPPremained a silent spectator on the murder of Benazir Bhutto, but the AT would

never allow democratic process to derail. He said that it was always peoplesstruggle which solved their problems, therefore the long march would alsoredress injustices done with the people. Other speakers said that the proposalof Kalabagh Dam was not scrapped, but was in pipeline.

They said that after completion of Raini Canal, lower Sindh would not geteven a drop of water. Earlier, participants were accorded a warm welcome inThatta where they reached on the 38th day of long march, which had startedfrom Kashmore.


newspaper/national/at-supports-ppp-govt-despite-antisindh-policies-519


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Pakistan Christian Post

Sindh will move with Walk of Survival with

Awami Tehreek

Kandh Kot: November 17, 2009. (Raja Jee reports for PCP) Rasool BuxPalijos Quomi Awami Long March is on its way to Karachi and will reach atGhaghar Phattak, the outskirt of Karachi on 18th November and willmarch four days in Karachi. On 22 November as its last 46th day it will beturned in Grand Peaceful Public Gathering from Mazar-e-Quid to PressClub Karachi. This march started from Kandh Kot, upper end of Sindh on8th of October 2009 and by walking 20 to 25 kilometers daily thousandsof marchers including men, women and children crossed Shikarpur,Sukkur, Khairpur, Gambat, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz, Moro, Qazi Ahmed,Sakrand, Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, ShahKarim Bulri, Mirpur Bathoro, Sijawal, Thatto and Dabeji. This distance

becomes around 1000 kilometers and scheduled days are 46. To cover thebreadth/ other sides of Sindh merging short marches have also joined themain march which includes as (1). Ratodero to Shikarpur (2). Dadu toMoro (3). Nawabshah to Sakrand (4). Tando Allahyar to Hyderabad (5).Matli to Tando Mohammad Khan (6). Daro to Mirpur Bathoro.

Distributed pamphlet tells the following aim and objectives:

Right of governance with complete autonomy as per 1940 resolutioninstead of rule of imperial forces and their agents.

Hold back the right over natural resources, oil, coal, gas, islands, andcoastline.

Right of water of River Indus as per Sindh - Punjab Pact 1945

Stoppage of controversial water projects i.e. Dams on river Indus and Thalcanal.

Stop alleged settlements of outsiders in Sindh to convert indigenouspopulation in minority.

Reject allotment of million acres of provincial land to non Sindhipopulation and multinational companies for illegal possession over cities.

Restrain Sindhi students from admission in educational institutions ofKarachi and preserving Institution from copy, weapon, Bhata culture.

Uproot all forms of Terrorism as state, urban, tribal, and religious in citiesand lawlessness in rural areas by so called urban rulers and feudal lords.

Protest against Continuous unemployment and non observance of dueshare in jobs for Sindhis in judiciary, military, financial institutions,

autonomous authorities and other departments.

Protest against Jirga system, Honour killing, Karo Kari, immature


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marriages and other violence against women and minorities.

It is the fifth long march by Awami Tahreek first in December 1991 fromSukkur to Karachi, second in 1994 from Hyderabad to Karachi, third in2001 from Bhitshah to Karachi, forth is from Sukkur to Karachi in 2005and this is longest fifth one. There is no doubt in saying that Awami

Tahreek always gained huge support from publics and their struggleremained peaceful and non-violent. No scratch on any vehicle or anydamage to property or misbehave to any persons on any basis of sect,language or creed were reported so far. But in 2001,they faced batoncharge, injuries, bloodshed, lockups, and tear gas shells each day bypolice in a bid to foil the long march and they set new example of braveryahead the government blockade, torture, brutality and aggression andsucceeded to reach Karachi peacefully.

Awami Tahreek was formed on 1970 aiming to establish a welfare statewith participation of renowned Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writers, political

activists and intellectuals under leading theoretician Rasool Bux Palijo.Besides contribution in all democratic and human right struggles inPakistan, the active role of Awami Tahreek is largely recognized in AntiOne- Unit, MRD, Anti Kalabagh Dam, anti urban terrorism, restoration of

judiciary , violence in educational institutions and violence against womenand peasant in all over Pakistan.

Founder of Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux Palijo (80) is a well-knownpolitician of Pakistan and he earned the fame in struggling againstfeudalisms, marshal-laws, establishment, colonialism and imperialism.Besides top constitutional and criminal lawyer, he is an authority overworld history, philosophy, science, religion and political theories and alsowrote more than 40 books on numerous subjects. He remained about 11years in jail and declared as Prisoner of Conscience by AmnestyInternational in 1981. Organizing women and Hindu scheduled Castes arehis more remarkable and revolutionary traits. His continuous love,affection and guide uplifted them as first class citizens and He has brokenthe walls of untouchability and chains of women slavery very practically.

During passing through no-go area of Saradars in Kadh Kot, Rasool BuxPalijo expressed his views as Through planned conspiracy, big cities ofSindh are handed over to terrorists while the rurals areas have beendistributed to tribal chiefs and Jagidars and both are the agents ofimperial forces. Feudalism and urban terrorism are being nourished bydictators and imperial agencies to maintain status quo. Criminalnegligence of present government over the urban terrorism on Sindhi andtribal terrorism over women and Hindus are very shameful. However, thesons and daughters of Sindh without any discrimination of caste, tribe,creed and religion are ready to play their role in struggle to get backsovereignty of Sindh and the resources of Sindh.

Averagely 500 men, women and children have walked in changingweather from hot to cold in the entire province on foot and when crossedthrough towns and cities the caravan turned into huge public gatherings.

Leaders spoke there to highlight the issue and purposes. Caravan receivedwarm welcome by local organizations, political parties, civil societies, barassociations at every stop along National Highway. There were singers


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who kept the participants energized with revolutionary songs of ShahLatif, Faiz Amed Faiz, Shaikh Ayaz, Habib Jalib, Ustad Bukhari, SahirLudhiyanvi, and Bhagat Kabir and also the well-worded poetic sloganswere chanted as

Jo America jo yaar aa - Ghadaar aa Ghadar aa.

Qudarati waseela - Awam ji hawaley kario.

Karo-kari ain jirga system - Na manzoor no manzoor.

Daryan ji Aabadgari - Band Kario band kario

12 May ain 18 October Ja qatil - Girftar kario Girftar kario

Jagia Jagia - Sindhi Jagia.

Sindhu te ko b dam - Na khapey Na khapey

Rahbar Sindhi Quom jo Rasool Bux Palijo

Kery-lugar ain NRO - Na manzoor Na manzoor

Dahishat garidi ain Gunda Gardi - Band Kario band kario

Besides the frequent appearances of Rasool Bux Palijo (Cardiac Patient),Advocate Ayaz Lalif Palijo, Sayed Aalam Shah, Mohammad Khan Bhurgri,Qadir Ranto, Hakeem Halepoto of Awami Tahreek and Umrah Samo,Zahida Shaikh, Nazir Qureshi, Husna Rahujo, Kalavanti Raja, KalsoomHalepoto of Sindhiyani Tahreek are leading the March.Ayaz Latif Palijo (44), Awami Tahreeks current president possessingmoving and shaking personality and having very vast knowledge and gripover the issue of Sindh told that Today Sindh is passing famine likesituation. People are committing suicide and selling their children dueallegedly made price hike and corruption. Broad day-light dacoity is madeon water, finances, employment and resources of coming generations.How long the rulers embroil the people of Sindh in concocted stories?People are full of hatred and warmly contributing their part in struggle.Hugely participation of public and political groups irrespective of socio-political and religious affiliations proved that Sindh is united.Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, General Secretary AT expressed thesignificance of march as Its a mammoth demonstration and protest everheld in Pakistan. Main theme of this protest is restoration of all rights ofSindh and establishment of democratic republic welfare state. We are notagainst any group or nation but we oppose those who perpetuateatrocities on Sindhis and other working classes of Pakistan. This march isorganized against ongoing unemployment, price hike, terrorism,lawlessness, corruption and shortage of water for which we have receivedtremendous response from masses, people are hosting break fasts,Lunches, dinners and night stays voluntarily.

Ms. Umrah Samo, President of Sindhiyani Tahreek, replied when askedabout hot weather, hard journey, as It is tiring at instant but energizingand interesting ahead public enthusiasm, supportive attitude, hospitality,


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walking along, showering of rose petals, offering of foods, juices, sweets,snakes, tea and milks by common people in thousands. At start somewere fairer but now we all are of same colour and complexions. Ourrefreshed health and fitness is just the byproduct of 46 days long march.

Many surprising and emotional scenes were observed; some are as under:

1). During passing through Ghauspur hundreds of Hindu Bagri womenappeared and joined march singing songs in their own language.

2). In Kumb city Menghwar Community welcome the long march withmany baskets of sweets and celebrated Deevali Festival with Caravan.

3). Huge group of Young Shaikh Community leading by Latif Shaikhreceived the long march like traditional Barat in Gambat and all danced forhours in the tunes of barati band-baja and drums.

4). Parents arranged the marriage of Sakina Maganhar but she joinedMarch till the first ceremony of wanwah and all marching women left herwith placing Mendi on her hand palms and marriage songs.

5). Two old age (above 75 years) persons Ahmed Laghari and Ali GhulamNizamani are determined to walk for 46 days and many youngster of 7-10years are in the walk. Women with infants are surprising entries.

6). A man near Sakrand stopped his car and left his wife and threedaughters in long march and come back at evening and repeated thrice.

7). Many Small tea hotel owners at rural side stopped the caravan andforcibly offered the tea to all persons free. Ended all milk and tea andstarted walking.

8). All Gadi Nahins of Dargahs came across like Hazrat Sachal Sarmast,Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Inayat Shaheed Of Jhok Sharif have warmlyand culturally welcomed with presenting Ajraks and singing sufi songs.

Bravo! Awami Tahreek is well playing its role with befitting courage andsacrifice to aware, protest and project cause and demands in democraticand peaceful ways towards Government and all well wishers of Pakistan toresolve the issues and make the country go on in well and honouredmanner.

(Raja Jee is a social worker and civil society activist and can be contact atraja.jee.khi@gmail


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Frontier Post

AT flays NFC decision to announce award in Lahore

G.N. Mughul

KARACHI: President, Awami Tehrik (AT), Ayaz Latif Palijo, has bitterly criticisedthe announcement made from the platform of National Finance Commission(NFC) the other day that vital decisions about NFC Award would be taken in"Takht-e-Lahore". He wondered what sort of federation it is in which neitherQuetta, nor Peshawar and Karachi are competent to take any vital decision aboutthe distribution of resources while only "Takht-e-Lahore" have such powers? Thiswas stated by Ayaz Latif Palijo while addressing a press conference at Karachi

Press Club on Friday to divulge salient features of Long March launched by ATsince 8th October from tribal belt Kandhkot and is going to conclude on 45th daynear Karachi Press Club on Sunday. Ayaz Palijo, son of Rasul Bux Palijo, said inprinciple the decision announced by NFC to distribute NDP on multiple factors

was welcomed but declared that if 70 per cent funds are distributed on the basisof population while only 5 per cent are distributed on the basis of revenue then itwould just be peanut and would not be acceptable to the people of Sindh. He

ridiculed the "thesis" that data about the consumption etc would be needed toevolve the formula and questioned as to who will monitor as to whichcommodities are produced in which province and in which province it isconsumed. He expressed doubts that unnecessarily the issue was being

hoodwinked to deceive the smaller provinces like Sindh. He said it means "they"want to create hurdles in the determination of Sindh's right on the basis of itsrevenue contribution. Palijo suggested that difference would have to be made

between two categories of extremists - those who do not take arms and thosewho take arms. He said operation would have to be launched against those

extremists who use arms while negotiations are advised to be held with thosewho do not take up arms. As for AT Long March, Ayaz Latif said that through this

march seed has been sown for having a greater alliance of heterogenous politicalparties. Citing example, he said, when 8th October long march was started fromKandhkot, the workers and leaders of Jamiat e Islami, nationalist organisationJSQM (headed by Bashir Khan Qureshi), PPP Shaheed Bhutto group, and SindhUnited Party (SUP) accompanied the march. While after few days JUI and STPPleaders participated the long march. Besides, he said, a large number ofdisgruntled PPP workers have also been part of the long march. Ayaz Latif Palijo

said that long march is against corrupt ruling Government, its allies and theirpatron US. However, he made it clear that they did not intend to dislodge electeddemocracy to be replaced with some Generals.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=3262&ad=21-11-2009


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Why Sindhi media is blocking coverage of Awami

Tahreeks Long March??? Raise your voice.

by: Shamshad Khuwaja

The way Sindhi media is ignoring the Long March of Awami Tahreek is not only

shocking but rather an unethical act.. The Long March started from Kandhkot on 8th

October and is being organized against ongoing unemployment, price-hike, terrorism,

lawlessness and acute shortage of water in Sindh. For the last 39 days thousands of

brave women and men passing through the tribal no-go-areas, towns, big cities and

hundreds of thousands gathered in Hyderabad.

When our sisters and elders are marching 20 to 25 kms under scorching sun, their feet

are injured and Sindh TV, Awaz, Mehran, Dharti, Daily Ibrat, Tameer Sindh andAwami Awaz are covering each and every important moment of the painstaking Long

March and even The Dawn, Geo and ARY relayed the live coverage of Hyderabad

and Thatta, we dont know under whose orders some Sindhi T.V. channels have

completely blocked the coverage of the Long March of Awami Tahrik.

The long march will ultimately reach at Karachi after 46 days and a grand peaceful

protest rally of about a million people will be held in front of Press Club Karachi,

Sindh

Sindhi media and all other channels and newspapers are our assets and we consider

the journalists working in those offices as our honest and professional brothers andsisters but unfortunately some news channels are following the path of blackmailer

JAMADAR JAARO KHAN pattern and walking on the tracks of dhoom, starplus and

jassarat and other certain substandard newspapers and channels, our genuine peaceful

democratic struggle, our culture , heritage and language is not being delivered to the

world in the right way as it is, our media is good for nothing, its a very disappointing

thing.

Isnt it the duty for every educated person to appeal in writing to the Sindhi media and

other urdu and English newspapers and media to change their theme for the actual

cause of spreading awareness of issues harming Sindh and 17 crore people of Pakistan

and support struggle and culture of our motherland globally. People say that channelsare after money and power and under the influence of few minsters and terrorists so

they dont bring truth in time..justify justly..or defend peoples rights daringly.most

of politicians and feudals have purchased the media channels for their

interestsmoreover foreign powers, establishment and some terrorist organizations

have got monopoly over these channels as they own them so we get all what they

want to make us watch from their viewpoint.but the time has come when we should

speak up and we must be careful and vigilant and monitor their role.


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Daily Dawn

KARACHI: Demand for giving Sindh its due rightsBy Our Staff Reporter , Monday, 23 Nov, 2009

KARACHI, Nov 22: Participants of a long march after covering 900 kilometres onfoot in 46 days on arriving Karachi demanded that Sindhs right over its resourcesshould be accepted and income generated from all resources, including oil, gasand two seaports, should be handed over to the province.

The long march, which started from Kandhkot under the auspices of the SindhAwami Tehrik and was joined by other political parties on the way, reached

Karachi on Sunday. A large number of woman activists of the Sindhyani Tehrikalso participated in the march.

The rally, which was led by Sindh Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bakhsh Palejo, wasaddressed by Ayaz Latif Palejo, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir

Magsi, National Workers Party leaders Yusuf Masti Khan and Usman Baloch,Tehrik-i-Insafs Imran Ismail, Sindh National Partys Amir Bhambhro, PML-Ns

Ismail Rahu, and Sindhi Shagird Tehriks Shah Mohammad Shah.

The leaders said that exploitation of Sindhs resources by successive rulers had

increased poverty in the province.

A resolution passed on the occasion demanded that in the next National FinanceCommission Award, the principle of revenue generation and collection should be

conceded and the Water Accord of 1991 should be implemented.

The resolution said that those who had taken advantage of the NRO should be

removed from the government.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-demand-for-giving-sindh-its-due-rights-319


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Awami Tehreeks long march concludes

Rally asks govt to deliver or quit Demands raising Sindhs admission quota inKarachi-based educational institutions, higher positions for Sindhis in armedforces, appointment of Sindhi judges in SHC, Sindhi-speaking chief secretaryand police chief.

Monday, November 23, 2009, By Zeeshan Azmat

The 46-day long march started by the Awami Tehreek (AT) on October 8 from Kandhkot culminated inKarachi on Sunday with a huge gathering on Zaibunissa Street, where speakers delivered fiery speechescriticizing the government and the United States.

The gathering, which was scheduled to initially take place at the Karachi Press Club but owing to thesheer numbers had to be relocated to Zaibunissa Street near Rex Complex, Saddar, was addressed by

the leaders of nationalist and religious parties, including veteran politician Rasool Bux Palijo.

Palijo, in his speech to the Awami Long March, criticised the government for taking dictation from theUnited States and asked the government to control and run the countrys affairs on its own or quit.

The senior politician also asked the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) beneficiaries to facecharges in the courts.

Killing people is a greater sin than corruption, and those who are saying that they were not involved incorruption should face murder charges in the courts, he said, adding: it is unfortunate that a fewpeople have taken over the control of the city and they have been given free hand by the authoritiessitting in Islamabad.

Palijo said: People should understand the issues and problems they are facing at the moment, as ourgovernments have been trying to make this country a US colony. The US imperials are worse than theBritish emperors. The US imperial kills even those who support and work for their agenda and the killingof General Ziaul Haq is one such example in this regard.

Liaquat Ali Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto were among those who hadserved US. However, no one asked why these leaders were killed and what the motive of their murderwas.

He also quoted several incidents, including the fall of Dhaka as well as interference in Afghanistan, andlinked it to the corruption of politicians to protect their own seats. Pointing to the feudals, he said thatthey were involved in land-grabbing and they also supported anti-social elements in Karachi.

He alleged that former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan had offered weapons to Awami Tehrik (AT) to

fight against other groups, but this offer was rejected by the party leadership. We are peace-lovingpeople and want to solve the issues of the people and not to keep them lingering, he added.

The Ziabunissa Street was completely packed with hundreds of Sindhi and Baloch nationalist partiesactivists and leaders. Workers of other organisations were also present carrying their respective partyflags. The AT long march participants travelled for 46 continuous days to raise awareness among thepeople to realise their rights as well as for the establishment of a true democratic system based onpeoples choice.

Earlier, Central President AT Ayaz Latif Palijo alleged that the people of Sindh were not drawing anybenefits from their own natural resources, and claimed that there was no water for the people of theprovince and the locals have been deprived of basic health and education facilities.

There is lawlessness in the country, particularly Sindh. The writ of the government is nowhere. We

have to fight against all these odds, he added. Ayaz Palijo also criticised President Zardari, saying thathe made lots of promises before taking the charge but failed to deliver any.

Ayaz Palijo, who delivered speeches in Sindhi, Urdu, English and Balochi, said that the people of Sindh


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want provincial autonomy as per the 1940 Resolution and the natural resources of Sindh should behanded over to its people.

On the occasion, a resolution was approved which demanded for raising Sindhs admission quota inKarachi-based educational institutions by 80 per cent.

It also demanded for giving Sindhis higher positions in the Armed forces, appointment of Sindhi judgesin the High Court as well as inducting a Sindhi-speaking chief secretary and inspector general of police

in the province.

Ayaz Palijo asked the participants to observe one minute silence in memory of Shahnawaz Bhutto, NadirBaloch, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Abdullah Murad.

Shah Muhammad Shah of Sindh Safe Movement said that not a single nationalist took advantage fromNRO because we are fighting for our rights and not for personal benefits.

President Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Dr Qadir Magsi said that the government never listens to thecomplaints of poor people, adding: If the government does not stop this practice, the people wouldthrow them out of power. Marvi Memon of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid said that provincialautonomy would strengthen the federation.

The representatives of Sindh United Party, Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto Group), Jeay SindhQaumi Mahaz, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Jamaat-e-Islami, Sindh National Party and various Baloch andSiraiki organisations also welcomed the rally and extended their support to AT

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=209986


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AWAMI TAHREEK LONG MARCH: A remarkable &

unprecedented massive show of strength

Report by: Khalid Baloch

Baloch-Sindhis, Kachee-Sindhis, Selawat-Sindhis, Seraiki-Sindhisand Memon-

Sindhis of Karachi participated overwhelmingly

The scene on M.A Jinnah Road Karachi and Saddar today was remarkable and

unprecedentedhundreds of thousands of Sindhis marched into the heart of a major

Pakistani city, stopping all traffic and disrupting business as usual for a whole

weekend afternoon to demand that their voices be heard. Awami Tahreek protesters

left their villages, towns, workplaces, and neighborhoods all over the Karachi region

and beyond to converge on the front road of Mazzar-e-Quaid area. And they deliveredan unmistakable NO to the discrimination and injustices against Sindhis, Balochs and

other oppressed nations.

This historic LONG MARCH led by Awami Tahreeks president Ayaz Latif Palijo

was a national show of strength and unity for the local population of Karachi, Thatta

and Jamshoro Districts and sent shock-waves far and wide-throughout this

metropolitan and the entire country. Thousands of marchers were walking since

October 8th and hundreds of thousands arrived today in hundreds of chartered buses

and trucks. Though the protesters were non-violent and were not attempting to

obstruct any road, but their strength and movement jammed the taxis and the mini-

buses. Cars and vans stopped to pick up people on street corners who werent able toget on the crowded city buses heading toward the march starting point.

Awami Tahreek and Sindhiani Tahreek workers took to the streets in Karachi in

protests timed to coincide with the announcement of NFC and Bill for the Provincial

Autonomy and the two main speeches of Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo and Ayaz Latif Palijo

paved the path for participants to shout, Sindh belongs to Sindhis, Petrol, Gas,

Coal, Port and Indus belong to Sindhis and Implement 1940 Resolution

Aerial news footages of TV channel showed the streets throughout the Mazzar-e-

Quaid and Zaibunissa Street packed with Sindhi women. Estimates of the size of this

massive show of strength reached upwards of 180000 to 200000. The people who

came out were mainly Sindhis, overwhelmingly party workers and followers of

veteran thinker and politicians Rasool Bux Palijo but the participation of Balochs,

Kachees and Seraikis was very important and positive. First time a march of a Sindhi

Nationalist political party was the big head line evening news for all English, Urdu

and Sindhi TV channels.(Dawn TV, GEO, Samaa, KTN, Sindh TV, Awaz, Mehran,

Aaj, ARY, Duniya & Waqt TV)

http://iaoj.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/awami-tahreek-long-march-a-remarkable-

unprecedented-massive-show-of-strength/#more-8944


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Daily Times

Atrocities against Sindh condemned

By Irfan Ali

KARACHI: Sindh Awami Tehreek (AT) chief Rasool Bux Palijo on Sunday addressed a hugegathering that was called to condemn the atrocities against Sindh, and demand theprovinces rights including its due share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

Calling the gathering at Zaibunnisa Street a success, he said Sindh was suffering frommany forms of injustice since the creation of Pakistan adding, This long march hasbrought a message of unity and brotherhood for all the communities of the country.

The Qaumi Awami Long March that started from Khandkot on October 8, under theleadership of AT chief, and the newly elected party president and human rights lawyer,

Ayaz Latif Palijo, culminated after a 900 km walk.

Thousands of people, including women and children, participated to demand provincial

autonomy under the 1940 Resolution, a fair NFC Award, and basic amenities such aswater, education etc. The participants also demanded measures against corruption,lawlessness, terrorism, unemployment, price hike and artificial inflation.

Other participant parties were the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf,Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Workers Party, Save SindhMovement, and nationalist parties including Sindh Taraqi Passand Party, Jeay Sindh QaumiMahaz, Sindh United Party and Sindh National Party.

The AT chief said the migrants from India must sit with them as brothers and not adopt animperialistic attitude towards Sindhis.

Calling all immigrants illegal who came to Pakistan after 1954, he urged the government to

send them back to India.

He termed the National Reconciliation Ordinance a shameful act of shielding theperpetrators of heinous crimes against Sindhis, and said all culprits must be brought

before a court of law.

The AT chief also spoke about Benazir Bhuttos murder and criticised the PPP leadership forits failure in taking any worthwhile action this regard, as well as its inability to arrest thekillers of other political leaders and activists.

Criticising the partnership between the PPP and the MQM on the occasion, he said

President Zardari has the powers to appoint the chief of the army staff, but is powerless inposting a Sindhi speaking chief secretary and IGP for the province.

The AT chief on the occasion invited Baloch, Pukhtoons, oppressed Punjabis and Siraikis fora joint struggle of rights. He said that the anti-women impression about Sindh would bedispersed today after a massive representation of women participants in the long march.

Criticising the PPP government for selling out government jobs to Waderas and ministers,he complained that the doors of educational institutions are closed for Sindhi students inKarachi.

Terming the federal and city governments as usurpers, he condemned the forcible takingover of coal and oil reserves, islands and fishing areas of Sindh. He said the AT is not

against any group or nation but is opposed to the perpetrators of atrocities.

The real heirs of Benazir Bhutto are the workers of the Awami Tehreek, who arestruggling for the rights of the people, he claimed and demanded that all the peoplementioned in the NRO should resign from government posts. STPP Chief Dr Qadir Magsisaid that the people whose murder cases were withdrawn under the NRO should bebrought before the courts.


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PML-Q MNA Marvi Memon said that her party is striving for the salvation of real issuesfaced by the people, adding that she will raise her voice in the National Assembly for thejudicious share of Sindh in the NFC Award, water and other resources.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\11\23\story_23-11-

2009_pg12_1


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The Nation

Country under symbolic US slavery: Palijo

By: Ramzan Chandio | Published: November 23, 2009

KARACHI - The Chief of Sindhi Awami Tehreek (AT), Rasool Bux Palijo, has said

that the country is under symbolic slavery of United States of America which is worse

than the colonialism of British era.

Addressing a huge gathering of Long March at Zaibunnisa Street here on Sunday,

Palijo said that the USA was involved in the murders of all the rulers of the country,

who were remained the agent of the USA in Pakistan.

Sindh is facing many forms of injustices since the creation of Pakistan and these

atrocities are still continues. This Long March has brought the message of unity and

brotherhood for all the communities of the country, he added.

The Qaumi Awami Long March was started in the leadership of Awami Tahreeks

chief Rasool Bux Palijo and newly elected Central President of the party and HumanRights lawyer, Ayaz Latif Palijo, from Kandhkot on October 8, 2009. Covering over

900 kilometres and 46 days of journey through walk, it culminated on November 22

(Sunday) at Karachi.

Thousands of women, men and children participated in the Long March for provincial

autonomy under 1940 Resolution, for judicious NFC Award, water, education,

resources and rights of Sindh, and against corruption, lawlessness, terrorism,

unemployment, price hike and inflation.

Besides the leaders of the PML-Q, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), PML-N, Jamiat

Islami, National Workers party, Save Sindh Movement, the nationalist parties of

Sindh including Sindhi Taraqi Passand Party, JSQM, Sindh United Party, Sindh

National Party had supported the struggle and also participated in the Long March.

AT chief, in his speech, also extended offer to the communities who came from the

India, to sit together as brothers but also warned that that they should not speak with

the Sindhis as imperial masters.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-

online/Regional/Karachi/23-Nov-2009/Country-under-symbolic-US-slavery-Palijo


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Regional Times

Long March held in Karachi Palee o demandsprovincial autonomy for Sindh

KARACHI: Awami Tehreek (AT) chief and political leader,

Rasool Bux Palejo on Sunday said provincial autonomyshould be given to Sindh according to the 1940 resolution,adding that its people should be given the ownership rights ofthe resources of the province.Addressing the participants of a Long March here, he saidthat the people of Sindh have been deprived of their duerights since 1947, adding that the purpose of holding a LongMarch is to highlight the grievances of the people and resolvethem on a priority basis. Mr Palejo said that who will protectthe national frontiers, if the military is tasked for an operationinside the country. The speakers on the occasion said that

the rulers are busy with winning for the US and other westernpowers to get an extension in their service term.We have been fighting against the oppressors since the timeof Alexandra the Great and we have asked the establishmentto stanch the measures against Sindh, he observed.A large number of people, intellectuals and nationalistsleaders participated in the Long March.Agencies


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JSQM, AT rallies: A salute to the heroes on

the battlefield

23 11 2009 by: Aziz Narejo, TX

Pushed to the wall, the people in Sindh seem to be coming together. First JSQMs

mammoth rally of November 7 and now ATs big public meeting at the culmination

of its 46-day, 900-kilometer Long March in Karachi today. Another party, STP is to

hold a grand rally in Karachi in January.

Congratulations to Jeeaey Sindh Qaumi Muhaz and Awami Tahreek for their peaceful

and highly successful rallies and best wishes to Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party for their

upcoming event.

It is auspicious to see major political parties and groups in Sindh coming together to

work for the rights of the people. Hope their cooperation with each other will help end

injustices and bring peace and prosperity to the people and the land who have suffered

heavily during last 62 years under various democratic as well as undemocratic

regimes.

The next step should be sitting together of the leadership of these parties and groups

and chalking out a plan to take Sindh back. Holding big rallies is good but should be

considered only a beginning of a thorny and complex journey.


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Historical Sindh Long March of 1000 kilometers

24 11 2009 By: Raja Jee

On 22nd November, Quomi Awami Long March led by Rasool Bux Palijo has

reached Karachi, and thousands of Man, women and children marched from Mazar-e-

Quid to Imprest Market, the historical place from where Sindh played his role in 1857

war against British. Main leadership of Muslim League (N), Jamait-e-Islami, Sindh

Taraqi Pasand Party, Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf, Muslim League (Q) and civil society

showed absolute solidarity and participated in this Grand Peaceful Public Gathering

of more than two hundred thousand Sindhis including about fifty thousand women.

Participation and unanimous support of leaders of various political parties indicates

that they are united over the issues and all called this event as most exceptional,

mammoth, unique and longest protest march in Indo-Pak history and congratulated

Awami Tahreek and Rasool Bux Palijo for this heart-awakening march. First time amarch of a Sindhi Nationalist political party was the big head line evening news for

all English, Urdu and Sindhi TV channels and named as a remarkable and

unprecedented massive show of strength of indigenous local people.

This march started from Kandh Kot, upper end of Sindh on 8th of October 2009 and

by walking 20 to 25 kilometers daily thousands of marchers including men, women

and children crossed Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, Gambat, Kandiaro, Noshehro

Feroz, Moro, Qazi Ahmed, Sakrand, Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad

Khan, Shah Karim Bulri, Mirpur Bathoro, Sijawal, Thatto, Dabeji, Ghaghar phattak,

Quidabad, Malir, Bhitai Abad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Guru Mander to

reach Destination. This distance became around 1000 kilometers which was covered

in 46 days as scheduled. The main route of March touched from one end to other end

(North to South)of Sindh province where to cover the breadth/ other sides of Sindh

merging short marches have also joined the main march which includes as (1).

Ratodero to Shikarpur (2). Dadu to Moro (3). Nawabshah to Sakrand (4). Tando

Allahyar to Hyderabad (5). Matli to Tando Mohammad Khan (6). Daro to Mirpur

Bathoro. In this way this tree shaped march touched every district of Sindh.

Distributed pamphlet tells the following aim and objectives:

Right of governance with complete autonomy as per 1940 resolution instead of ruleof imperial forces and their agents.

Hold back the right over natural resources, oil, coal, gas, islands, and coastline.

Right of water of River Indus as per Sindh Punjab Pact 1945

Stoppage of controversial water projects i.e. Dams on river Indus and Thal canal.

Stop alleged settlements of outsiders in Sindh to convert indigenous population in

minority.

Reject allotment of million acres of provincial land to non Sindhi population and

multinational companies for illegal possession over cities.


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Restrain Sindhi students from admission in educational institutions of Karachi and

preserving Institution from copy, weapon, Bhata culture.

Uproot all forms of Terrorism as state, urban, tribal, and religious in cities and

lawlessness in rural areas by so called urban rulers and feudal lords.

Protest against Continuous unemployment and non observance of due share in jobsfor Sindhis in judiciary, military, financial institutions, autonomous authorities and

other departments.

Protest against Jirga system, Honour killing, Karo Kari, immature marriages and

other violence against women and minorities.

It is the fifth long march by Awami Tahreek first in December 1991 from Sukkur to

Karachi, second in 1994 from Hyderabad to Karachi, third in 2001 from Bhitshah to

Karachi, forth is from Sukkur to Karachi in 2005 and this is longest fifth one. There is

no doubt in saying that Awami Tahreek always gained huge support from publics and

their struggle remained peaceful and non-violent. No scratch on any vehicle or anydamage to property or misbehave to any persons on any basis of sect, language or

creed were reported so far. On the other hand in 2001, they faced baton charge,

injuries, bloodshed, lockups, and tear gas shells each day by police in a bid to foil the

long march and they set new example of bravery ahead the government blockade,

torture, brutality and aggression and succeeded to reach Karachi peacefully.

Awami Tahreek was formed on 1970 aiming to establish a welfare state with

participation of renowned Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writers, political activists and

intellectuals under leading theoretician Rasool Bux Palijo. Besides contribution in all

democratic and human right struggles in Pakistan, the active role of Awami Tahreek

is largely recognized in Anti One- Unit, MRD, Anti Kalabagh Dam, anti urban

terrorism, restoration of judiciary , violence in educational institutions and violence

against women and peasant in all over Pakistan.

Founder of Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux Palijo (80) is a well-known politician of

Pakistan and he earned the

Awami Tahreek - Sindh Long March-English Media

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