Sindh Assembly: MQM accuses speaker of neglecting their concerns

Opposition party says speaker yet to take up issue of raids at party offices

KARACHI: Sindh Assembly saw yet another protest on Thursday when the opposition accused Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani of dismissing their agenda in his chamber instead of letting them bring it to the assembly floor.

Thursday was the third consecutive day that the assembly session was wasted to skirmishes between the treasury and opposition benches.

It was Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Sabir Qaimkhani who drew the speaker's attention. He wanted to submit a privilege motion on the water crisis in Latifabad, which was not included on the agenda. As he spoke, other opposition members also criticised the speaker.



"We had also tabled an adjournment on the arrest of our workers and raids at our party offices but the assembly secretariat has yet to take it up on the agenda list," said opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan. "It looks like the speaker bulldozes the opposition's agenda in his chamber and we will not tolerate this attitude."

The situation became heated quickly as MQM lawmakers began protesting and shouting slogans against the government. Some even tore the copies of the agenda as other opposition members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz sat silently.

Later, the MQM lawmakers walked out in protest and Durrani adjourned the session till today (Friday). They warned that they will protest at the Secretariat and Chief Minister House if their demands are no met.

Hasan said that they will approach the local government secretary for time. But if he does not give an appointment to hear their grievances, then the MQM lawmakers and their supporters will rush to the secretary's office.  "No one can hold us responsible if the situation spirals out of control," he warned.



"The local government secretary is creating problems by tampering our schemes and not giving us response on various issues," claimed Qaimkhani, who belongs to Hyderabad.

MQM's Faisal Subzwari pointed out that the police were killing innocent workers of their party in fake encounters and dozens of workers are in illegal custody but no one pays attention to them. "The PPP can remain quiet on the killings of their workers and leaders but the MQM will react," he said.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Dr Sikandar Shoro termed the MQM protests as acts of frustration now that the party has split. "It is the speaker's prerogative to take up the agenda or not," he said. "Unfortunately, the MQM members are doing politics on 'non' issues."

Women development building under occupation

Earlier, the lawmakers discussed the issue of a building for the women development department that has been encroached upon by the police in Benazirabad district. "The modern building has 92 rooms but the women development department has yet to gain possession of it," said MQM's Rana Ansar, who moved the call-attention notice. "Can the minister concerned update me?"

PPP MPA Erum Khalid, who works as special assistant to the CM on women development, responded that she spoke to the Sindh IG on this issue and this building will be evacuated by June this year. "The building comprises 22 rooms not 92," she corrected.

Meanwhile, PML-F's Nusrat Seher Abbasi drew the attention of the House towards government officers who are retaining unauthorised accommodation. "When will they evacuate these places," she asked.

Health minister Dr Sikandar Mendho said that action has been taken against 350 officials found guilty of occupying official houses and many such facilities have been evacuated. "This matter was also discussed in the last cabinet meeting and this issue will be resolved," he assured.