Sindh’s lawmakers stood united against lawlessness on Tuesday and demanded the government deweaponise the province.
Debating a resolution moved by Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Bachal Shah, they said that political interference in police affairs and the government administration was the main reason for the recurring violence.
No-go areas run by influential people need to be bulldozed. “These areas have become centres of criminal activity where law-enforcement agencies have no access. It is high time that the government takes concrete measures to raze them.” MPA Bachal Shah said that every day dozens of people lose their lives in Karachi and other districts.
These criminals had taken refuge in political parties. They are the ones behind target killings and land grabbing.
“I request all political parties to disown these black sheep who, in the guise of political activism, have started their own [dirty] business,” he said.
MPA Nusrat Seher Abbasi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional said that 113 women were killed over honour but the government had yet to replace its home minister. “The home ministry was given to the chief minister who [already] has half a dozen portfolios”
Minister for Transport Akhtar Jadoon made an interesting suggestion: increase the price of a bullet to Rs1,000 to discourage people from buying them.
PPP’s Anwar Maher, who chairs the Sindh Assembly standing committee on home affairs, quoted from a report. Criminals in Shikarpur and other districts have sophisticated weapons, such as anti-aircraft guns, he told the house. Tribal clashes are on the rise in these areas. “I don’t know where they got these weapons from. Such arms are not even available with the police.”
Syed Sardar Ahmed of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement said that weapons were not being manufactured in Sindh, so the law-enforcement agencies need to keep an eye on check posts and all exit and entry points. “Our party has already tabled a bill in the National Assembly to deweaponise the country,” he said.
Awami National Party’s Amanullah Mehsud cited smuggling as the main reason for the rampant lawlessness. Not only are arms being smuggled by road but a large quantity is being smuggled through ships in Karachi.
‘Target killers’ released
Leader of the Opposition Jam Madad Ali pointed out that when criminals accused of target killing are arrested, the court grants them bail after a while. “I request the Chief Justice of Pakistan to look into the matter and order the lower courts not to release these professional killers,” he appealed. Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon presented an ‘easier’ option. We need to organise seminars and walks to sensitise the public about the deweaponisation.
Federal Flood Commission Report
As the session started, MPA Abbasi drew the attention of the house towards the Federal Flood Commission Report, which was tasked with investigating the cause of the Tori Bund breach and other breaches.
Quoting its findings, she said the engineers of Guddu and Sukkur barrages had been held responsible. But these officials are still working and no action has been taken against them.
“The government had assured us that work would be completed by June 30, but there seems to be no progress. We want to know the status of the dyke repairs, given the prediction of heavy downpours and floods this year,” she demanded.
Business on the agenda
Every Tuesday is private-member day when all members of the assembly are supposed to move their private bills and resolutions. But out of 13, only one item on the agenda was passed, three were rejected and the rest could not be taken up. The house was adjourned till Wednesday (today).
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2011.
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