Chaos in assembly over handing over of parks to NGOs

MQM objects to LG dept’s plan to outsource public parks to private companies


Our Correspondent November 28, 2016
Sindh Assembly Session. PHOTO: NNI

KARACHI: Chaos once again ensued at the Sindh Assembly on Monday when Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) representatives criticised each other over the handing over of public parks in Karachi to different companies and individuals for maintenance purposes.

Pandemonium dominated the proceedings, where treasury and opposition lawmakers hurled allegations and counter allegations against each other, compelling speaker Agha Siraj Durrani to prorogue the session. The row was sparked when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman moved an adjournment motion, seeking funds for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

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During the session, local government minister Jam Khan Shoro's statement to outsource the public parks stirred unruly debate. He said, "Most of the public parks have been encroached upon in the city. A few have lost their glory. We have decided to give the possession of some parks to non-government organisations for their revival and maintenance," he said.

This irked MQM lawmakers, leading opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan to remark that the local government minister is not capable of running the affairs of his department, which is why such decisions are made. "Public parks and picnic points are the only remaining sources of income with the KMC.  If you want to snatch this right, then I will suggest abolishing the post of mayor and deputy mayor," he said, adding that the Sindh government was setting a wrong precedent by handing over everything to private companies.

The opposition leader was of the view that the Sindh government generates around 90% of its revenues from Karachi, but in return gives a meager amount for its development. "I request the chief minister to take notice of the LG minister's statement. If he cannot work, then his entire department's contract should be handed over to China," he said, adding that millions of rupees are being bungled.

In response, the LG minister said that it was MQM's government which occupied the parks and started China-cutting by giving amenity plots to builders. "We want to restore their actual condition," he said.

MQM members stood up and chanted slogans against the PPP government. MQM parliamentary leader Syed Sardar Ahmed said that his party would have no other option but to knock on the doors of the judiciary if the parks of the city were handed over to non-governmental organisations or private companies.

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Hasan asked the PPP to start an investigation into China-cutting of amenity plots during the first tenure of the PPP. "Why are allegations only being leveled against us?  Please look back and check how many amenity plots have been encroached upon during PPP regimes," he remarked. "You should first start investigation from local government minister's involvement in China-cutting," he urged.

Durrani intervened and asked the lawmakers to sit and resolve this issue amicably. Later, speaker prorogue the session.

Earlier, as Zaman drew the house's attention toward the financial crises in the KMC, parliamentary leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said, "It seems like the PTI MPA wants to become a hero, but his adjournment motion is not maintainable for proceedings". When Zaman attempted to clarify his position, the speaker did not allow him to.  The MPA called the speaker biased and said, "Speaker should be neutral, showing no affiliation with any party in this house, you are supporting a party to run the house".

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2016.

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