Sindh Assembly session: ‘Horse-trading’ in Punjab condemned
The term ‘horse-trading’ refers to the PML-N’s move to allegedly buy the support of other parties in the house.
In the aftermath of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) ‘divorce’ in the Punjab, Sindh’s legislators passed a resolution on Tuesday to condemn what they call “horse-trading” in the provincial assembly.
The term ‘horse-trading’ refers to the PML-N’s move to allegedly buy the support of other parties in the house in order to gain strength in numbers. Sindh legislators from the PPP and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) passed the resolution while opposition members were absent from the house.
The resolution reads: [The] Sindh Assembly express its deep concern over [the] PML-N’s attempt to introduce horse-trading in the Punjab Assembly and incit[e] ethnic polarisation. It condemns this act of the party as it is immoral and against the spirit and settled principles of democratic values. It is also against the stability of the federation, including the threat of a long march, which is an attempt to de-rail the entire democratic system by creating impediments and preventing the parliament from completing its constitutional tenure.
The resolution was moved by Farheen Mughul, Dr Sikandar Mandhro, Aisha Khoso, Saleem Khurshid Khohar of the PPP and Nadeem Iqbal Rashid Khan of the MQM.
The legislators criticised the Sharif brothers and accused them of being “big supporters” of terrorists and militants, who were allegedly involved in the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer.
Quota
Sindh’s legislators passed a unanimous resolution to ensure a 60:40 ratio quota in the appointment and promotions of employees in government departments as well as autonomous bodies. The resolution was moved by PPP MPA Ghulam Mujadid Isran on Tuesday.
The quota system was introduced by PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to ensure jobs to people who live in rural areas, said Isran.
On the point of order, PPP MPA Imran Zafar Leghari said that no government officials or consultants have visited the Main Nara Valley Drain and Superio Bund, even though the government claimed that it has started plugging breaches.
“Consultants are of the view that they cannot visit these areas due to the worsening law and order situation. I don’t know how the work will start now,” he said. Isran was assured by members of the parliamentary committees that all breaches will be repaired before the Kharif season begins.
Several MPAs complained about ghost hospitals in their constituencies. Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed explained that a majority of basic health centres are run under the federal government therefore he could not take action.
The MQM and opposition parties also staged a walk-out from the session to protest the hike in fuel prices.
The speaker adjourned the session till Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2011.
The term ‘horse-trading’ refers to the PML-N’s move to allegedly buy the support of other parties in the house in order to gain strength in numbers. Sindh legislators from the PPP and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) passed the resolution while opposition members were absent from the house.
The resolution reads: [The] Sindh Assembly express its deep concern over [the] PML-N’s attempt to introduce horse-trading in the Punjab Assembly and incit[e] ethnic polarisation. It condemns this act of the party as it is immoral and against the spirit and settled principles of democratic values. It is also against the stability of the federation, including the threat of a long march, which is an attempt to de-rail the entire democratic system by creating impediments and preventing the parliament from completing its constitutional tenure.
The resolution was moved by Farheen Mughul, Dr Sikandar Mandhro, Aisha Khoso, Saleem Khurshid Khohar of the PPP and Nadeem Iqbal Rashid Khan of the MQM.
The legislators criticised the Sharif brothers and accused them of being “big supporters” of terrorists and militants, who were allegedly involved in the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer.
Quota
Sindh’s legislators passed a unanimous resolution to ensure a 60:40 ratio quota in the appointment and promotions of employees in government departments as well as autonomous bodies. The resolution was moved by PPP MPA Ghulam Mujadid Isran on Tuesday.
The quota system was introduced by PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to ensure jobs to people who live in rural areas, said Isran.
On the point of order, PPP MPA Imran Zafar Leghari said that no government officials or consultants have visited the Main Nara Valley Drain and Superio Bund, even though the government claimed that it has started plugging breaches.
“Consultants are of the view that they cannot visit these areas due to the worsening law and order situation. I don’t know how the work will start now,” he said. Isran was assured by members of the parliamentary committees that all breaches will be repaired before the Kharif season begins.
Several MPAs complained about ghost hospitals in their constituencies. Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed explained that a majority of basic health centres are run under the federal government therefore he could not take action.
The MQM and opposition parties also staged a walk-out from the session to protest the hike in fuel prices.
The speaker adjourned the session till Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2011.