MQM-P lawmakers propose legal aid for prisoners
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan submitted three resolutions and two private member bills before the Sindh Assembly secretariat on Tuesday. According to party representatives the resolutions and bills pertain to public issues in Hyderabad and Karachi, the recent murder of Maulana Adil Khan and his driver, mentioning Khatamun Nabiyeen with Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) name, motorcycle lifting and legal assistance for prisoners.
Speaking to the media after submitting their bills and resolutions, MQM-P leaders Kunwar Naveed Jameel and Muhammad Hussain said that the proposals have been submitted for the next session of the provincial assembly.
One of the bills entitled 'Sindh Legal Aid 2020' has to do with prisoners' welfare, said Hussain, adding that the lawmakers have asked the provincial government to set up an agency to provide lawyers to prisoners and ensure justice for them.
Elaborating on the second bill submitted by the party, Hussain said that they have insisted that Khatamun Nabiyeen be recited or written whenever the name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is mentioned. Hussain opined that the provincial government issuing a notification in this regard is not enough.
In response to a question, Jameel said that the MQM-P does not as yet have a stance on the issue of Bandal and Buddo islands and their rabita committee will decide the party's strategy regarding the matter.
The Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government did not waive taxes for citizens when the city was declared disaster struck during the monsoon rains, claimed the MQM-P lawmakers, whose party forms the coalition government in the Centre with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
They further highlighted lack of clean drinking water and said that the government should ensure that potable water and other basic facilities are provided to the city.
The MPAs also called for the establishment of hospitals in all districts to treat burn injuries, as well as new degree colleges.
Work under the Karachi Transformation Package should begin immediately and 35 small nullahs should be cleaned, remarked the lawmakers, besides demanding the construction and repair of roads, removal of encroachments from nullahs and restoration of infrastructure in industrial areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2020.