Pakistan

NA session: PML-N, MQM lash out at each other

Altaf Hussain’s statement seeking imposition of martial law in Punjab at the heart of latest verbal altercation.

Zia Khan January 26, 2011

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly went through a brief session of chaos on Tuesday, minutes ahead of a premature adjournment after a verbal clash between members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain’s statement seeking imposition of martial law in Punjab is at the heart of the latest clash between the two groups. Temperatures soared after a top leader of the PML-N called for Hussain’s trial under the high treason law, for what he called a mischievous attempt to entice a military mutiny.

Ahsan Iqbal reminded MQM members that under the recently approved 18th constitutional amendment, supporting military intervention in politics is a crime as big as imposing martial law, and Altaf must be punished for that. “This is treason, to the constitution and the country,” Iqbal remarked only to provoke MQM members for a chorus of sloganeering against the PML-N.

Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had to adjourn the session till Wednesday afternoon after his repeated calls for calms in the house failed.

In a speech delivered from London, Altaf had called for imposing martial law in Punjab to control an alarming rise in crimes. His assertion angered several leaders of the PML-N who chose points of order in the National Assembly to ridicule the statement, calling it an act that could not be justified on legal and moral grounds.

“We have had enough of martial laws … they never bring any good to the country and the people. Nobody should demand such a thing again,” PML-N MNA Tehmina Daultana said in a speech earlier in the day.

Syed Asif Husnain of the MQM defended his leader’s statement, however he did not directly support martial law for Punjab.

Earlier, the house deferred a bill by the PPP seeking extra punishment for those involved in disfiguring women’s faces by throwing acid.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (12)

Tariq | 13 years ago | Reply I am sorry, the people of Karachi are not secure today. There is too much of target killings and street crimes, yet not a single person has been arrested. There is no doubt that MQM has won maximum seats in Karachi. But why has it failed to provide security of life to its citizens. The people voted for MQM to have a better quality of life, peace, security and better facilities. Has these been delivered?. If not, than it is time for MQM to deliver. This city must be freed from extortionists and criminals. Please put the criminals behind bars and make sure the murderers are hanged and not allowed to terrorize the people of Karachi. Those who killed people in Sher Shah's target killing are being set free, because this city and the province has failed to provide security of life to its citizens. It is the government's failure that the witnesses are not willing to come forward, because they know that these killers enjoy patronage of powerful people. Forget about what the PML(N) is saying, look at the ground realities.

Pakistani | 13 years ago | Reply @ Truth Prevails I lived in Karachi, I strongly support and work for MQM, no I have never touched any weapon, and yes I have been robbed twice - I won't reveal the ethnicity of the robbers though - robbers have no ethnicity or affiliation really. and get your 'definitions' straight, I've been to the so called 'mansion' and believe me, honestly I live in a better house than that mashAllah - if royal family envies that mansion, they would certainly want to be my slaves. Karachi is no cantonment or a military hub, that it is acceptable for army to pop in whenever they want, and for all the remaining country, it is illegal. I don't think Altaf Hussain has hijacked the media, but if you take a closer look, the injustice currently spreading in rural punjab, alongwith the extremism, definitely needs a plan to be dealt with. PML N though is in no position, has never been to deal with such atrocities. All they care about is saving their land, promoting 'their' agriculture, and making sure they stay the gods of the poor farmer.

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Truth Prevails | 13 years ago | Reply I think we have had a good debate. Though it's a bit funny I have been labelled with surety as being from Punjab. Karachi is my city and Lahore / Peshawer is yours and vice versa. However one thing is clear we all share the same objective. Peace & prosperity in Pakistan! I thought we all were negative and unfortunately I was the third one after Mian Saheb & Altaf Bhai. I recommend rather demand that Mian Saheb go in person and meet Altaf Bhai and sort this ugly development out. A joint press conference saying "All is well & we will work together for Pakistan" will have a great effect. Just like rain in summer. If this doesn't happen one would wonder whether this is a ploy to let current "Govt." continue it's corruption!!!!

HS | 13 years ago | Reply @ Truth Prevails This war was ignited by the so-called morality brigade headed by Nawaz Sharif and his cohorts wielding their impressive verbal weapons

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Perhaps if there was a minimum thresh hold in terms of qualification for people allowed to vote then we could avoid electing the PPP PML-N,S etc etc. Ofcourse even politicians don't have qualifications these days even though they are rich and feudal lords, and knowing the liars that populate the parliament in Paksitan they'd probably mass produce fake degrees in order to create vote banks.

Danish Ali Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply @Truth Prevails. It is beyond my imagination that when it comes to MQM why so people from Punjab always act so naively. so much so that you do not understand the simple equation. PML(n) was pushing the idea of imposing martial law in karachi to normalize the law and order situation. But when from the same token, somebody else (lets forget MQM here) ask to put any other area of Pakistan under martial law to put such an area in orderly way. it becomes hue and cry. WHY? same politics, same pml(n). Governor control is good until it is only for SIND. when it comes to salman taseer staging a martial law, then it becomes ill legal. why? If you support to put Karachi under martial law due to law and order situation, then you must first whole heartedly put khyber-pukhtonkhuwah under the same "martial law". MQM wins all of its seats from an urban area of Pakistan (karachi, hyderabad, sukkur etc) where people are mostly educated and have passed 10th grade. But it is this unfortunate thing that PPP, PML(N) that wins from the rural part due to their influence, and people ill literacy.

VoK | 13 years ago | Reply @Truth Prevails Are you implying that you have been robbed at gun point in Karachi? and that you were brave enough to ask the robbers what their political affiliation was?

Truth Prevails | 13 years ago | Reply Thank you Altaf Bhai for furthering the agenda of "Pakistan's Enemies". You have successfully ignited a verbal fight between brothers staying at different geographical locations facing the same problems. I pray it stays verbal [INSHAHALLAH]. Can anyone with a little bit of sense please let me know what was our great Altaf bhai trying to acheive by saying what he said!

Yasser Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @TruthPrevails Research before starting any propaganda, as per your claim if i am one of the few who has not been robbed on gun point, then Karachi wouldn't have been Pakistan financial hub it would be same like Interior Punjab or Interior Sindh or Baluchistan or Peshawar and yes all these places MQM hasn't won a seat yet but PMLN has.

Iftikhar-ur-Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply How low can our politicians get!! Poor people of Pakistan are committing suicide everyday, selling off their young children because of poverty. Instead of taking some positive step to alleviate poverty , give relief to poor AWAM these politicians of MQM & PML(N) are fighting with each other and asking Army to take over each others province!

Truth Prevails | 13 years ago | Reply @Yasser Khan: Hey buddy, wake up. "Poor Farmer" sitting in mansions of United Kingdom having a life style which is envyed by the UK Royal Family...I guess you are one of the very few who haven't been robbed on gun point in Karachi!

Yasser Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Whenever a poor farmer raises his voice against his feudal lord, what he does is oppressed his voice, that's what PMLN is trying to do with MQM. Good job MQM show the real face of PMLN fake degree holders, Corrupt Industrialists and so on who are looting and plundering the country since decades.

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