LARKANA: The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) candidate for NA-200 (Larkana-I) Rashid Mahmood Soomro on late Friday denounced political rivals for Sindh’s state of destitution. While addressing a corner meeting in Naundero, he pledged to strive against the controversial construction of Kalabagh Dam and for securing the rights of peasants, labourers and poverty-stricken people of the constituency, if he gets elected during the upcoming general election-2018. “During ten years of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) tenure, Sindh has been turned into pile of rubble,” he said while equating Sindh with Mohenjo Daro. “Over Rs 26 crore and Rs 24 crore of taxpayers’ money has been spent on the construction of a boundary wall of Bhutto House in Naundero and flooring of Garhi Khuda Bux, respectively,” he claimed while adding that educated youths were forced to sale chickpeas, instead of being employed as civil servants to take care of government affairs which require intellect, honesty and determination. “The politicians funded their lavish lifestyle rather than resolving core issues of the general public including construction of roads, improving sewage and drainage system and provision of potable water,” he said. Soomro, who has filed nomination forms to contest election against PPP’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for NA-200, further alleged that the politicians had committed a massive corruption of Rs 1500 billion during their respective tenures. “The PPP leaders have misled the people as 29-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is ineligible to hold Prime Minister’s office for which a person must be 35 years old,” he alleged while urging the people to vote consciously for safeguarding the future of their children. Meanwhile, Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM) leader Riaz Chandio asserted that the people of Pakistan were plunged into darkness to such an extent that they were compelled to sell their children for living while many had shockingly committed suicide. “The PPP leaders ruthlessly plundered nation’s wealth,” he added while maintaining that Bilawal did not seek justice through the court of law for his mother even once. “Cast your vote to Ameer Bakhsh Bhutto as PPP has not issued party ticket to any Bhutto for contesting election,” he said. A large number of people from Ratodero and its neighbourhoods attended the meeting. Published in Daily Times, July 8th 2018.