Heated tirade ensues as not all happy with PPP leaders’ release

MPAs resort to pot-shots at those reluctant to celebrate Talpur’s release

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session on Tuesday started on a festive note with leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) celebrating the release of PPP MPA Faryal Talpur and MNA Khursheed Shah on bail. The mood soon turned sour, however, when Opposition Leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi voiced his thoughts on the matter. It did not take long for the MPAs to resort to taking pot-shots at each other.

The private members' day, headed by Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, began after a two-hour delay. "Hardships are common but our leaders have faced every situation bravely," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla as proceedings began.

MPA Kulsoom Chandio seconded him and declared that the allegations against the PPP leaders had been proven wrong. "Truth always wins," she said.

MPAs of other parties also joined in, with Muhammad Hussain of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) congratulating Durrani and MQM-P's Javed Hanif on acquiring bail. "No one needs production orders now," said Durrani.

Faryal Talpur, Khursheed Shah get court relief

Not everyone in the house shared his jubilance, however. "I am convinced that allegations on anyone should be investigated first. But how can I congratulate those who have ruled the country for 12 years and [yet] couldn't provide education or clean drinking water to the people during their rule," said Naqvi. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader's comment spurred a heated tirade.

"Don't make such comments if you cannot congratulate. We don't need your congratulations," said Durrani as he switched off Naqvi's microphone.

"It appears as if his [Naqvi's] wheel alignment is not right," quipped Chawla.

Hanif congratulated Durrani on his release and said, "arrests should not be made until accusations are proven. I was accused of giving jobs illegally and was imprisoned for a year".

History stands witness that those who walk on the right path are always victorious, said Women Development Minister Shehla Raza. "These are politicians by chance," chimed in Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh without naming Naqvi directly. "They are ill-fated people. Just look at their faces. They don't even remember our values and traditions," he said.

As the chaos ensued, Sharjeel Memon had to be restrained by other PPP leaders as he lost his cool and moved towards the PTI parliamentarians. PPP MPA Marvi Rashid declared that this was a historic day. She remarked that former prime minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had said that democracy was the best revenge. "It is evident by their faces that these are the faces which follow the instructions of dictators," said Rashid.

Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) leader Mufti Qasim Fakhri called Prime Minister Imran Khan "Zaleel-e-Azam", prompting a protest by the PTI MPAs. Durrani expunged the TLP leader's comment from the proceedings.

Resolution passed

There was little achieved by the lawmakers on Tuesday. A resolution was passed condemning the damage inflicted on MQM's Yadgaar-e-Shuhada monument and the remaining time was devoted to the question-answer session.

Earlier, Hussain had remarked that millions of mohajjirs were affected by the damage caused to the Yadgaar-e-Shuhada monument. Terming the culprits as "terrorists" he said that the culprits would only be encouraged if they were not stopped. A neutral inquiry of the incident should be carried out, he added.

The House passed a resolution against the damage as proposed by MQM-P MPA Rana Ansar during assembly proceedings on December 14. Ansar said that the Yadgaar-e-Shuhada monument for the remembrance of PPP's martyrs of October 18 was also present.

Hussain added that the monument was for the families of the martyrs to know that their loved ones had sacrificed their lives.

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The session adjourned till Wednesday 2pm.

Illegal occupation of public land

Answering written and supplementary questions pertaining to his department, Sindh Revenue and Relief Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman said that the government of Sindh would not allow anyone to illegally occupy public land in the province. The department has always taken immediate action whenever such an offence has been noted, he maintained. The opposition can identify if there are any complaints on this matter and immediate action will be taken, he added. The minister said that the opposition MPAs have levelled allegations that public property in various areas of Sindh has been illegally occupied and the revenue department is not concerned about the matter. He maintained that lands have been occupied but owners are not willing to tell how their lands were occupied. “We have made efforts in this regard and have invited our friends from the opposition party to visit the areas,” he said.

In response to another question, the revenue minister said that a mobile application is being made to maintain land records. The application works on the basis of talukas and details about it are available on Sindh Zameen’s website, he added. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2019.