Sindh Assembly session: MQM warns against political victimisation

Khawaja Izhar says disassociation with Altaf will yield no result unless workers are released

KARACHI: Opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, warned that if unilateral action against political workers is not halted and innocent party activists are not released from detention, Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan's (MQM-P) disassociation with party founder Altaf Hussain will not yield result.

Addressing the assembly session on Friday, he appealed to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani to play their role against the political victimisation of MQM activists. "We don't even have access to meet our workers languishing in various jails," he said, adding that thousands of MQM workers have been detained and the government needs to play its role in ensuring justice.

"If these innocent workers are not released, it will affect our vote bank," he remarked.

Earlier, jailed MQM MPA Rauf Siddiqui who had come to attend the session said that many prisoners had been suffering from various problems in Karachi Central Jail and that he has brought a few letters sent by prisoners for the chief minister and speaker. "These innocent prisoners are seeking justice," he said, adding that Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, MQM MNA Kanwar Naveed Jameel and party leader Qamar Mansoor are among those who have been politically victimised. Nonetheless, the speaker, without responding to grievances expressed by MQM lawmakers, adjourned the session till Monday.

Attack on TV channels

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman moved a call attention notice as the session started and asked the chief minister about why the government has not taken action against 'target killers' involved in the attack on TV channels' office on August 22. "Some terrorists have been arrested from a bank," he said, adding that they were the ones who carried out the attacks on the TV channels. "It is feared that some elements are also involved in money laundering through these terrorists."

Responding to his query, the chief minister said that some terrorists were arrested after the incident using geo-fencing technology in the area. He said that it is the provincial government's prime responsibility to deal with law and order and action will be taken irrespective of political affiliation.

Shifting responsibility

During the session, MQM MPA Jamal Ahmed drew the attention of the local government minister towards garbage vehicles of District Central, Karachi, which are in deplorable condition. "What action has been taken by the department for repairing them?" he asked.

The minister, Jam Khan Shoro, responded that powers have been given to mayors and deputy mayors in Karachi to resolve these issues in their areas. "We have allocated Rs160 million for District Central and request the mayor and deputy mayor of the district to repair the vehicles and utilise the fund," he said, adding that all the development schemes and civic problems will be resolved through the elected representatives.

'Resignation demand is unconstitutional'

Speaking to the media after the session, opposition leader Hassan once again rejected media speculations that party members will resign from the assembly and parliament. "The resignation demand is unconstitutional, which is not acceptable to us," he said, adding that MQM voters will not tolerate anti-Pakistan slogans. "Today, we held the parliamentary party meeting and all the members have a consensus over not tendering resignations," he added.

Meanwhile, the speaker accepted the leave application of Pakistan Peoples Party MPAs Sharjeel Inam Memon and Owais Muzaffar, who left the country following raids conducted at government offices by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Rangers earlier in the year.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2016.