Sindh Assembly session starts with only two out of 168 MPAs

Session adjourned without taking up agenda to mark Amin Fahim’s death anniversary


Our Correspondent November 21, 2017
A file photo of Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session on Monday was adjourned without taking up any agenda to observe the second death anniversary of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart Makhdoom Amin Fahim. When the session started with Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza in chair at 10:55am there were only two members in the House, which comprises 168 MPAs.

The deputy speaker looked at the empty hall where only Health Minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro and Education Minister Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar were sitting at the start of the proceedings. "[I am starting the session] as I have already given the ruling that the session will be started even if there is no quorum," she said.

After offering fateha for the victims of the incident in Khairpur where a coal laden truck fell onto a van and killed a number of passengers, Dr Mandhro stood at his seat and requested the speaker to adjourn the session given the death anniversary of Fahim. "Many members of this House [want] to attend the anniversary in Hala, so I request you to please adjourn the session till Tuesday," he asked.  After that the deputy speaker adjourned the session.

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Speaking to the media outside the assembly, Leader of the Opposition Khawaja Izharul Hasan criticised the deputy speaker's decision to adjourn the session. "Amin Fahim was a seasoned politician. We should have given him a tribute rather than adjourning the session," he said.

When journalists diverted his attention towards the lack of quorum, he said, "It is the responsibility of the government to maintain quorum, ensuring all members attend on time.”

Hasan also took a jab at PPP MPA Saeed Ghani. "Like [Industries Minister] Manzoor Wasan, he has also started dreaming of controlling Karachi's politics, but his dream will not come true," he said in reference to Wasan’s infamous dreams, which he claims predict the future.

"I suggest the PPP and its leaders focus on Lyari and give up attempts to occupy other areas of Karachi," he remarked, adding that even in the next 40 years the party would not be able to win in Muttahida Qaumi Movement dominated constituencies in the city.

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"The incumbent government rigged the election in favour of Ghani, otherwise it would not be possible for the PPP to win the by-poll in PS-114 Mehmoodabad," he accused.

Ignored agenda

The questions and answers of the katchi abadis department, call attention notices tabled by opposition lawmakers on various civic issues, an adjournment motion by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman regarding the merger of Summit Bank with Sindh Bank and the introduction of the Sindh Livestock Registration and Trade Authority Bill, 2017 were on the day’s agenda.

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