SA resolves to complete term

PTI opposes resolution passed by PPP, MQM-P and opposition GDA

KARACHI:

After the row between the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over holding elections, Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution on Tuesday to complete its five years terms.

The resolution moved by PPP MPA Nawabzada Burhan Chandio said that the current assembly has performed its Constitutional obligations in a befitting manner and represented the people of Sindh effectively, raising issues of public importance, and guiding the government in finding solutions, so it should finish its due terms.

"The House resolve that the current assembly should complete its tenure of five years starting from August 13, 2018 and caretaker government should be constituted as provided under Article 224(1A) of the Constitution to ensure free and fair elections, as stipulated in Article 224(1) of the Constitution," the resolution read.

Amidst the debate on the issue, the resolution was passed with majority votes of PPP, MQM-P and opposition parties excluding PTI.

Speaking on the issue, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah negated the idea of dissolving the provincial assembly and said, "I will take the opinion of this House and would take the lawmakers into confidence if it has to be dissolved in the larger interest of nation," he said adding that the incumbent assembly would complete its constitutional term.

Murad said per Article 107 of the Constitution the assembly's term comes to an end by August 2023. "We cannot dissove it on someone's whims," he said.

Talking about the Punjab Assembly, the Sindh CM said that Punjab's then Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and majority of the lawmakers were against the decision of dissolving the Punjab Assembly but it was done on insistence of Imran Khan.

He further said that the caretaker government should be constituted as provided under Article 224(1A) of the Constitution to ensure free and fair elections, as stipulated in Article 224(1) of the Constitution.

PTI's Firdaus Shamim Naqvi said that the Sindh Assembly might complete its tenure, but it cannot dictate others for holding elections across the country simultaneously.

He viewed that Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunhwa assemblies were dissolved under Article 112 and those who were not conducting the polls within 90 days were violating the Constitution.

Naqvi also asked the reason for bringing the resolution. "It seems that the purpose of bringing the resolution in the Sindh Assembly today is to show that the judiciary does not make any decision," he said pointing towards the decision of the Supreme Court to dissolve the assemblies and the federal government's insistence to complete its term.

Naqvi said that the Constitution is superior which clearly said that elections should be held within 90 days of dissolving a provincial or the national assembly. He said that parliament can amend the Constitution with two-third majority but it was only the judiciary that had to power to interpret it.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal MPA Syed Abdul Rasheed said that if political behaviour of the stakeholders was correct, there would have been no need for resolution to be tabled on the matter in the assemblies. He attributed the political, judicial and economic crises to the weakness of the institutions.

The opposition alliance in Sindh, Grand Democratic Alliance, MPA Shaheryar Mahar said that his party supported the spirit of the resolution although they had reservations over the PPP's 'selectiveness'.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Rashid Khilji said that current Sindh Assembly should complete its term under Article 224 of the Constitution and the elections be held within 90 days of the expiry of its term.

"We don't only want the assembly to complete the term but also called for the environment in the assemblies where every lawmaker including those sitting on opposition benches should have equal opportunities to raise voice for their constituents," he added.

PPP MPAs Sharmila Farooqui, Imdad Pitafi and Raja Razzaq; PTI Parliamentary Leader in Sindh Assembly Khurram Sher Zaman and GDA MPA Arif Mustafa Jatoi also spoke on the resolution.

Later the house was adjourned till Friday. Earlier, the PTI MPAs protested in the house for starting the session late and went into deputy speaker chamber to lodge their protest.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2023.