Opposition challenges govt statistics

The Sindh Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution appreciating the flood relief efforts of the provincial government. This followed a long debate on an adjournment motion seeking house discussion on the recent devastating rains and floods.

MPAs from both the treasury and the opposition fully participated in the debate on the adjournment motion filed by PPP MPA Nida Khuhro.

“We not only raised voice for the flood victims but we also worked day and night for them,” provincial minister Saeed Ghani claimed while participating in the debate. “If you agree that it was a natural calamity, then there is no justification for your nonsense,” he told the opposition.

Ghani said that the floods had washed away huge buildings in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, but nobody held Imran Khan or his government in the province responsible for the devastation.

Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro said that the opposition only criticized the government and did not give any proposal. “The Indus River will not give way to RBOD-2. We will take up this matter with the Balochistan government,” he added.

Shoro’s cabinet colleague Abdul Bari Pitafi said that the provincial government had treated hundreds of thousands of cattle heads which had fallen ill after drinking polluted water.

While taking part in the debate, MQM Parliamentary Leader Rana Ansar said that the devastating flood was a warning for us. “We must hold the rope of Allah Almighty tightly and should not fight amongst ourselves,” she said. “We cannot prevent a natural calamity but we can mitigate its negative effects.” She suggested that cells should be formed at the district level for the conservation of water and protection of waterways.

MMA MPA Syed Abdul Rasheed claimed that they had seen policemen stopping vehicles and snatching ration bags and tents meant for flood victims. “I said I’m MPA. But they said, ‘you cannot be an MPA because you don’t have a Land Cruiser!”

Tanzila Umme Habiba of the PPP claimed that the MPAs were on the forefront in flood relief operations. “If you haven’t seen the tent city, then let me show you the pictures,” she said while addressing the opposition lawmakers.

But GDA MPA Abdul Razzak Rahimoon did not agree with Tanzila. The government officials made fun of the tragedy-stricken people by handing them bags of wheat flour for photo sessions for the media.

Another GDA lawmaker, Nand Kumar, disputed the official figures and accused the government of “political point-scoring”.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2022.