ALLOTMENT OF FOREST LAND IN SINDH TO MILITARY CONDEMNED
Awami Workers Party response to allotment of forest land to military
Whether it is in resolution of present PPP-Military establishment controversy to allot 9000 Acres of Forest Land to the Army shaheeds & injured families on demand of Pak Army as declared by the Chief Minister of Sindh?
One must recognize as a fact that main impediment in establishment and strgnthening of democratic institutions is the feudal structure of our country and the officers of Pakistan defense forces have become a new class of absentee landlords, therefore, the military establishment plays a role of maintaining the status-quo in our society whether it rules directly or through corrupt feudal and capitalist class.
This is not the first allotment of forest land but it is continuing since creation of Pakistan. In the recent past,during the regime of General Pervez Musharaf, Peeruwal forest land of Monza zakheera Disst Khanewal, Punjab, about 12000 acres of land was acquired by pak Army for defense purposes and thereafter about 9000 acres was allotted to senior Army officers for agricultural purposes.some of them, thereafter sold out as a gold mine and some of them have given on contracts.
Present allotment of forest land is also in the same line which must be condemned by every pro-people political party and by every consentious citizen.
There is large scale de-forestation in the country , 90 percent of forest land in sindh has already gone to sugar cane projects and illegal occupation of big land lords, present allotment by sindh government is no t only political bribe to the military establishment but it will further adversely effect the ecological conditions.
We do recognize the sacrifices of military personals who have given their lives in fighting against the religious extremism and terrorism and must be honored with medals, raise in Pensions, allowances and all social security to their family members that may be free education, health care or job security etc, but this practice of allotment of land must be stopped forthwith.
AKHTAR HUSSAIN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AWAMI WORKERS PARTY
AND SENIOR ADVOCATE SUPREME COURT