MPAs baffled by resolutions passed in haste

Opposition protests, treasury MPAs say unaware of objectives of resolutions

KARACHI:

The Sindh Assembly on Friday passed two resolutions in haste, but surprisingly most lawmakers, including those from the treasury, were clueless about the purpose of the resolutions.

As soon as the session started, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mukesh Kumar Chawala stood up and requested Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani to allow him to move two resolutions that were not part of the agenda.

Opposition MPAs from Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) expressed concern because copies of the resolutions were not shared with them as per parliamentary procedure.

"We will give you copies. Let me move the resolutions," Chawla said and requested the speaker to defer the agenda and take up the resolutions, which he allowed. Soon after the minister moved the resolutions, the house passed it with a majority vote amidst a protest from the opposition members.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, PTI MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman said even after the session the minister did not provide copies of the resolutions and said: "We all should read it in the paper tomorrow."

Zaman further said, "The minister read it once quickly on the floor of the house, but since the language of the resolutions drafted in English was not correct, we could not understand." He added that the mover should have at least briefed the house about the objectives of the resolutions.

Not only the opposition MPAs, but the treasury lawmakers who have voted in favor of the resolutions had any idea about the objectives. "I don't know its purpose, but I supported it because it was moved by our government. It must be in the interest of the people," PPP MPA Kulsoom Chandio said.

A copy of one of the resolutions available with The Express Tribune reads, "Whereas the government of Sindh having obtained the consent of the federal government has entrusted to the federal government functions in relation to certain matters to which the executive authority of the province extends, that is, the exercise of the executive authority of the province in order to grant and protect exceptions, concessions and benefits being provided in connection with the settlement of disputes with Tethyan Copper Company Pvt Ltd and its shareholder to the Reko Diq Mining Company Pvt Ltd under the development and maintenance of infrastructure Cess Act 2017, the Sindh Workers Welfare Fund Act 2014, the Stamp Act 1899 and Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act 2011."

The resolution, which is full of typographical errors and language mistakes further said, "Now, therefore in exercise of powers under Article 147 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, the provincial assembly of Sindh hereby resolves within sixty days of the aforesaid entrustment that the entrustment and the functions so entrusted stand ratified."

Despite many attempts, The Express Tribune could not get in touch with the parliamentary affairs minister for an explanation of the resolution. However, the Secretary Sindh Assembly said that the resolutions were about the Reko Diq project. "I don't have more details. You can call the information or parliamentary minister to get details," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2022.