Talking to the media outside the Sindh Assembly building on Friday, he said the party had not succumbed to pressure from anyone, but withdrew the petroleum price-hike decision respecting the majority’s opinion.
There was no dispute between the PPP and MQM and settling differences between coalition partners through compromise is a sign of a healthy democratic culture, he added.
Regarding the screening of security guards, he said they are scrutinising the cases of all the police personnel appointed for VIP security. Their psychological state, their background, political affiliations and also their mobile phone records are being checked, he added.
When asked about target killings, the minister said, “You people want to create problems for me, but I am a disciplined worker of my party.”
SA condemns Taseer’s assassination
The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Friday, expressing grief and sorrow over the assassination of former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer due to a “security lapse”.
The resolution, which was moved by Sindh Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ayaz Soomro, said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has suffered an irreparable loss on the martyrdom of the governor and the house offered condolence to the family.
No other items listed on the agenda came up for discussion and after offering fateha for Taseer, all business of the day was deferred till Monday.
As soon as the session started with Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in the chair at around 10:20 am, Sindh law minister Ayaz Soomro stood up and moved the resolution.
PPP MPA Saleem Khursheed Khohar said that after the assassination of Salmaan Taseer, minorities of Pakistan feel insecure. “The governor was vocal and was a champion for the rights of minorities. I think it is a direct message people [minorities] that they will be killed if they try to repeal or amend the blasphemy law,” he said.
Agha Siraj Durrani, the Provincial Minister for Local Government, said that Salmaan Taseer was a brave man who never compromised on the manifesto of the party and laid down his life for the sake of democracy. “Each and every leader of our party is ready to render sacrifice. Both the murders, of Salmaan Taseer and Benazir Bhutto, were because of a security lapse.”
Terming Taseer’s assassination a political murder, Sindh fisheries minister Zahid Bhurgri said certain elements are constantly trying to create a rift between religious and political parties.
Meanwhile Shazia Marri, the Provincial Minister for Power, said that Taseer spent his life in jail during the tenure of former dictator General Ziaul Haq where he was severely tortured. “The world is watching Pakistanis and our state of intolerance, which is creeping further into our society each passing day.”
Sindh Assembly deputy speaker Shahla Raza said that people with a certain mindset have started a campaign against the government “Despite the assurance by the federal religious affairs and information ministers [that the law will not be repealed] they have been continuing their country-wide protest,” she said. “The government is sincere and has assured them. But it seems like they have a different agenda.”
Sardar Ahmed, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM parliamentary leader termed the murder of the governor a shocking incident and said it is very unfortunate that from the murder of Liaquat Ali Khan, Benazir Bhutto to Salmaan Taseer, the lack of security continues.
Meanwhile, Soomro said this was another murder that the PPP workers had taken on their shoulders. Later, the Speaker giving his ruling said that it was a precedent of the house to adjourn its first session following the death any assembly member or a constitutional head. The the session was adjourned till Monday.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2011.
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