Joint session of parliament: MQM, PPP clash over creation of provinces

PML-N alleges joint PTI, PAT conspiracy aims to chip away at economic interests


Peer Muhammad September 19, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


The two Sindh-based political allies – the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) — confronted each other on Thursday during the joint session of parliament over the division of Sindh. MQM MNA Rasheed Godel urged the government to create more provinces in the country on an administrative basis and ‘shun dynastic politics’. He referred to the creation of four provinces in 1949, saying the population then was just 40 million, whereas it has now crossed 120 million. “The creation of new provinces is the need of the hour keeping in view the size of the population, which has become impossible to administer,” Godel said.


“We talk about the Constitution and democracy when we need to protect our interests, but we are reluctant to hold local government elections, which we are bound to according to the Constitution,” he added. Referring to the ongoing protests in the capital, Godel remarked, “Their demands are genuine and should be considered in the larger national interest.”

“The country’s problems will come to an end once our political leadership announces that they and their families will not take part in elections.” Godel praised his party’s chief, saying Altaf Hussain had not allowed any of his family members to contest elections.

PPP lawmaker Ayaz Soomro responded to the MQM’s suggestions, saying, “No one can dare to break Sindh province.” He added, “Sindh is part of our identity and no one can break or reshape it. Anyone who talks of breaking the province is not sincere towards Sindh and the PPP will never allow such a plan to come to fruition.”

Referring to comments made by MQM leader Altaf Hussain on Wednesday where he called Bilawal Bhutto “chotay mian” and “a child”, Soomro retorted that Bilawal is the leader of the largest political party in the country and would sweep the 2018 elections.

Soomro also took a shot at opposition leader Imran Khan saying, “He wants to visit Sindh to attract the youth to his party. Why would the Sindhi youth go after a 62-year-old man in the presence of a young leader like Bilawal, who is 25 years old?” The PPP MNA said that despite reservations over the results of the 2013 elections, the party will support democracy and back Nawaz Sharif’s decision to complete his tenure.

Dissident PTI MNA Nasir Khan Khattak referred to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s remarks in Attock on Wednesday wherein the PM blamed the PTI for the cancellation of the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan. “Parliament should pass a resolution inviting the Chinese president to the country at the earliest,” he said. “The government should ensure its writ and deal with the protesting parties accordingly.”

PML-N senator Musha­hidullah Khan claimed the PTI and PAT protests were part of a conspiracy hatched in London and Canada. “The two leaders have a hidden agenda against Pakistan,” he said. “I believe Tahirul Qadri was definitely involved in the Model Town incident, which would be revealed if a fair investigation of the incident is conducted.” He said the protests were aimed at chipping away at Pakistan’s economic interests.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2014.

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