Govt, opposition face off in Senate over Karachi incident

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday directed the government to present the two ordinances regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority and Pakistan Islands Development Authority (Pida) in the house on Monday, amid walkout from the opposition on these issues.

The opposition and the treasury benches renewed their hostilities over the ‘Karachi incident’ earlier this week particularly the IG Sindh issue, accusing each other of corruption and wrongdoing amid demands for an inquiry into the matter by the house.

The Karachi incident pertains to arrest of PML-N leader Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar from his hotel room on Monday after a case was registered against him for raising slogans at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam the previous day. He was released on bail later in that day.

Afterword, allegations emerged that the IG Sindh was pressured to issue the arrest warrants of Safdar. Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had ordered an inquiry in the allegations while the Sindh government formed a ministerial committee for its own investigation.

On Thursday, Opposition Leader Raja Zafarul Haq moved a resolution in the Senate demanding an inquiry into the arrest of Safdar and the alleged kidnapping of Sindh IG to the relevant house committee. This was followed by fiery speeches from both sides in the upper house of parliament.

The opposition raised the issue again on Friday, saying that it would not allow “state within state”, and that the IG Sindh was right and it sided with him. Leader of the House Dr Shehzad Wasim responded that the government was under no threat from the opposition “circus”.

“How could we know that raising slogans for ‘honouring the vote’ at the Quaid’s mausoleum has become a crime,” said PML-N’s Asif Kirmani. Referring to the arrest of Safdar, and the IG Sindh, he said these incidents tantamount to violating the people’s privacy.

Ataur Rehman of the JUI-F demanding investigation into the “kidnapping” of the IG and the Additional IG Sindh. Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami supported his views, saying that the IG was right and “we stand with him,” adding: “State within state will not be allowed.”

Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, another JUI-F senator, said that the government had “easily obtained” evidence against the opposition but it could not find evidence in Malam Jabba corruption case, as well as flour and sugar scandals.

Responding to the opposition, Dr Waseem said that 11-party opposition had set up a circus but Prime Minister Imran Khan knew how to send them packing. “Imran Khan will make them run away,” he added.

The leader of the house stressed that no one could be allowed to go to Mazar-e-Quaid, while wearing shoes and crossing over the protective railing. “It is still time for the opposition to remove the blindfold and shun the vested interests.

Senator Raza Rabbani of the PPP drew attention of the chair towards the CPEC Authority Ordinance. “It seems the government is not serious on my notice on this issue. The future of the CPEC Authority depends on it,” he said. Later, the opposition walked out of the house in protest.

Responding to opposition’s point of order, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that the government would fulfil its obligations and present the ordinance within the stipulated 120 days of its issuance.

On Pida ordinance, he criticised the Sindh government. On July 6, 2020 the Sindh government issued a consent letter for the development of Bundal Inlands with the condition of protecting the interests of local fishermen. “But alas, the opposition has ignored the consent letter of the provincial cabinet.”

The Senate chairman said that the matter would be taken up in the House on Wednesday. He directed for presenting the CPEC and Pida ordinances in the house on Monday. He also asked Chief Whip Sajjad Turi to go to the opposition and bring them back to the house.