Nawaz Sharif’s remarks unite lawmakers

Sindh Assembly adopts resolution against former prime minister, demands apology

KARACHI: In a rare moment of unity, lawmakers from different parties in the Sindh Assembly moved resolutions on Monday condemning former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's interview regarding the Mumbai attack and asked him to tender an apology.

Some MPAs even demanded that a treason case be registered against Nawaz and called him a traitor. Lawmakers belonging to Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F), which is a coalition partner of the PML-Nawaz federal government, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) all moved resolutions that were later clubbed together and unanimously adopted.

Interestingly, the PML-N MPAs present at the outset of session opted not to sit in the House and left before the joint resolution was taken up. This issue was raised after the discussion on the budget and most MPAs wanted to speak on Nawaz’s interview, conveying a message that they were dismayed by his remarks.

"He should be punished for high treason," said some MPAs, while others shouted, "His name must be put on the ECL". It was decided with the consent of the speaker that one MPA from the treasury and opposition will read the resolution.



Law Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar and PML-F parliamentary minister Nand Kumar Goklani presented the resolution, which read, "The remarks made by Mian Nawaz Sharif relating to the Mumbai attacks have not only hurt the feelings of Pakistani people who have been struggling to curb acts of terrorism, but also violated the provisions of his oath which he took under Article 91 (5) of the Constitution."

The resolution went on to say that with his ‘irresponsible act’, Nawaz has “caused great harm to the sovereignty and solidarity of Pakistan”. The members went on to condemn his behaviour and demanded an apology from him.

Despite repeated requests, no MPA was allowed to speak on the issue in the House but, referring to Article 91 (5), lawmakers spoke to the media outside the assembly and said that the Article applies to both sitting and former prime ministers. "During the oath, the prime minister says I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan," Goklani, who is a practicing lawyer, said.



Article 91 (5) further states that the prime minister will discharge his duties and perform his functions honestly to the best of his ability and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and law. "The prime minister cannot allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct or official decisions.”

Budget decision

The usual course of event during the budget discussion is for government members to shower praise on the chief minister and for opposition members to bitterly criticise it but a PPP MPA from Mirpurkhas, Khairunisa Mughal, who is considered a die hard party supporter, expressed dismay over the lack of development in her area. She did, however, laud the government for providing potable water to 7,000 villages in Sindh.



MQM's Jamal Ahmed raised the issue of garbage, which, contrary to the government’s claims, is not being lifted from districts South and East where contracts have been given to Chinese companies.  "People are suffering from a severe water shortage in Karachi, but the government has failed to come out with any project which gives relief to citizens," he criticised. Ahmed, who belongs to Shadman Town in North Nazimabad, said that four schemes had been given in his constituency in the last budget but work has not been started on a single one.

Criticising the law and order and police budget, he said, "Cops are not given uniforms. I don't know where this money is being utilised".

Saeed Nizamani of PML-F was of the view that the local government department has totally failed to deliver in the province and the officials concerned are minting money. "There is a dire need to initiate corruption inquiries in the local government department, which even does not give funds to municipal bodies for mopping and cleaning the streets," he said.

MQM MPA Mohammad Abdul Razzaque, who has now joined the PSP, criticised the Sindh government and appreciated Mustafa Kamal for setting a precedent of development in Karachi. "The chief minister is not here. Who will hear our grievances about the budget?" he asked.

Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani assured him that he would convey his suggestions and concerns to the chief minister.

Ghazala Siyal of the PPP said that more than Rs300 billion was released to Kamal during his tenure but he hardly established three or four underpasses or bridges and the rest of the money was bungled. It was the first day of the discussion on budget, which was passed on May 10 and around eight lawmakers from different parties spoke on it. Later, the speaker adjourned the session till today (Tuesday).