Highlighting the situation: MQM tables adjournment motion

KARACHI:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Heer Ismail Soho submitted an adjournment motion in the Sindh Assembly on Friday to discuss the situation in Thar. Soho and Khawaja Izharul Hassan, also belonging to the MQM, demanded the suspension of all other business in order to discuss this issue in the next session of the assembly, to be held on Monday.

“The media has exposed how the government, bureaucracy and provincial ministers are involved in the misappropriation of funds allocated to providing relief to the victims of drought,” said Hassan, alleging that Japanese-funded mobile medical dispensaries meant to work in various areas of Tharparkar district had been converted into luxury vehicles for the use of DC Asif Jameel and provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon instead. “We should not simply sideline media reports by calling them mere speculations,” he added. “The media is highlighting the realities on the ground and the authorities must take action against those responsible.” About the Thar commission report that holds the provincial health department responsible for dealing with the drought, he said, “The portfolio of the health department was given to our MPA, but everyone knows that a few influential people run the show in all the departments and nothing can be done without their consent.”

Dr Sikandar Mandhro, the minister for parliamentary affairs, welcomed the MQM’s adjournment motion. “Every MPA has the right to move for adjournment and highlight issues of public importance,” he said, but added that the agenda for the upcoming session had already been finalised and so the Thar situation could not be discussed during it. “Opposition leader Shaharyar Mahar has already tabled an adjournment motion on the law and order situation, so we will discuss that and take up the Thar issue later,” he explained.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2014.