JI MPA scales Sindh Assembly gate to protest against ‘Minority Protection Bill’

Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Syed Abdul Rashid on Tuesday scaled the gate of Sindh Assembly building in a bid to stop its proceedings to pass the Minority Protection Bill.

Speaking to media in Karachi, the provincial minister said the resolution was passed by the assembly to introduce the bill to “ban conversion to Islam”.

MPA Rashid said he was barred from entering the house so he climbed another gate to enter the premises and attended the proceedings.

He demanded suspension of the assembly proceedings to introduce the bill saying that he will protect Islamic ideology and defeat any conspiracy against the religion come what may.

“I will remain undeterred even if the government closes the doors of the house or puts me in jail.”

The JI lawmaker went on to say that he was subjected to prejudicial treatment by the assembly and was not allowed to speak on the day even though he had his turn and agenda set for the Private Member's Day.

“I was not allowed to enter so I jumped the door and participated in the assembly proceedings, said Rashid, maintaining that the attitude of the house was against the norms of democracy.

Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Syed Abdul Rashid. SCREENGRAB

The provincial minister said that denying him the entry was against the house rules, adding that Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani is a seasoned politician but his aides ill-advised him on the matter.

“It seems that the Sindh government is scared and speaker’s aides are advising against the democratic values,” he said, adding that all lawmakers have the right to protest as per the rules of the house.

Rashid said the veto power can only be used by the speaker in case of any security threat but the PPP-led provincial government was using it to stop protests.

The minister went on to say that he was elected to represent the people of his constituency and fight for their rights.

“We will represent our people and will not allow our voice to be silenced under any circumstances,” he added.