By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: The Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) Sindh, Allama Rashid Mahmood Soomro, has sharply criticized the provincial government over escalating lawlessness, kidnappings for ransom, and mismanagement across Sindh, particularly in Sukkur and Larkana.
Speaking to the media in Khairpur, Soomro said that for the past three years, his party has been actively mobilizing citizens on the streets to protest rising unrest and insecurity. “The cities of Sindh have become no-go areas. People’s lives, property, and honor are not safe,” he warned, highlighting the failure of law enforcement in controlling crime.
He condemned the government’s recent policy of negotiating with criminals under public pressure, arguing that it undermines state authority and strengthens criminal networks. “While we welcome the surrender of some outlaws, such measures do not maintain the writ of government. The criminals grow stronger, and the administration remains helpless,” he said.
Soomro also accused influential figures within the provincial government of fostering conflict for personal gain. He claimed that tribal disputes are being ignored and that politicians are exploiting the public’s problems, poverty, and hunger to enrich themselves, while allegedly selling the province’s rivers, islands, and natural resources.
The JUI-F leader rejected the legitimacy of current assembly representatives, calling them “holders of a fake mandate” and asserting that his party remains the true representative of Sindh’s people. He criticized the MQM and the PPP for using provincial issues to protect their political interests, and dismissed discussions about creating new provinces as mere political theatrics. “People of Sindh, as in the past, will foil these games,” he stated.
Soomro also highlighted the acute civic crises in Sindh’s major cities. He noted that residents of Karachi struggle even for a drop of water amid rising street crime, while Khairpur and Larkana face contaminated drinking water. “Every district and city of Sindh is confronting multiple challenges. Creating a separate province based on one party’s demand is both foolish and impractical,” he added.
The JUI-F reiterated its commitment to continue advocating for the rights and welfare of Sindh’s citizens, promising to hold the government accountable for security, infrastructure, and basic public services.
