In session: MQM raises demand for new province, PPP reacts

Treasury members suggest MQM table a resolution for new province

KARACHI: The issue of carving a new province out of Sindh dominated the Sindh Assembly session on Monday when the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) raised its old demand.

The post-budget session witnessed pandemonium after MQM's newly elected MPA, Mehfooz Yar Khan, demanded a new province in Sindh during his budget speech. "The movement for new provinces continues since 1964 and no one will stop us from carving out a new province from Sindh," he said. "The time will come when this assembly adopts the resolution."

His demand was not taken well by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmakers. "Your dream will not come true," responded PPP MPA Kulsoom Chandio. "You should be ashamed for demanding a new province in Sindh."

Khan continued his speech unperturbed and criticised the Rangers action against their workers in Sindh. "The paramilitary force has pushed us against the wall by not allowing our welfare organisation to work in the city," he said, referring to Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF). "KKF is not a Kalashnikov foundation. It works for the needy people so please don't create hurdles in its way, otherwise the situation will spiral out of the control," he warned.

"The people of Sindh will not let anyone break it into pieces," said PPP MPA Imdad Pitafi, who also called Khan a 'lota' [turncoat]. His choice of words led to an uproar in the House as MQM lawmakers rose to their feet. They shouted slogans against Pitafi after he said that MQM workers were frustrated after the emergence of Mustafa Kamal's Pak Sarzameen Party. "MQM uses the word 'Mohajir' when it sits on the opposition benches and calls itself 'Muttahida' [united] when it enjoys power in the federal or provincial governments," claimed Pitafi. Sindh is not the property of any person or party that can "disintegrate" it to fulfil its desired goal, he added.

MQM's Saifuddin Khalid replied that Pakistan can only be integrated with the creation of a new province. "You have deprived the urban cities and its people of their rights," he said. "The Bengalis demanded their own province but no one heard them and finally the situation went out of control," he pointed out. "We ask the relevant quarters to reconsider our demand for a new province in Sindh."

On the other hand, Pitafi called MQM activists 'RAW agents' who, he claimed, received trainings from India. "We have great respect for the Urdu-speaking community but you and your party have never been patriotic," he said.

As the two lawmakers exchanged harsh words, other members of their party intervened. "Sindh is also our motherland but you have discriminated and ignored urban areas, which has compelled us to demand a new province," said MQM's Waqas Shah.

PPP's Zia Lanjar suggested MQM members follow the rules and the Constitution of Pakistan and table a resolution for a new province, instead of making a fuss on this issue through illegitimate demands. "There is a provision in the law for a new province. If you have two-third majority in this House then please bring a resolution," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2016.