PTI MPAs protest in support of chief justice

Resolution moved to utilise gas wasted in oil extraction

KARACHI:

Sindh Assembly witnessed another turbulent session on Tuesday as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers protested against the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government and extended their support for Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Carrying the placards inscribed with, Save the Constitution, Save the Country, they reached in front of speaker's podium and continued their protest.

Slogans like chor chor or thief, thief, and echoed in the house. The PTI lawmakers also raised voices in favour of chief justice of the apex court while shouting chief justice zindabad and qadam barhao chief justice hum tumhaare saath hein.

Deputy speaker Rehana Leghari who was chairing the session warned the PTI members to refrain from the protest to go back to their seats, but no one listened to her. "It seems you have not learned from the five-year tenure in the assembly," deputy speaker said addressing the PTI MPAs. After the protest, the PTI lawmakers staged the walkout.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon while criticizing PTI protest said, "Chief justice does not belong to any party. Why are they calling him to come forward?"

Referring to tenure of former chief justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar, he said, "Once upon a time Imran Khan and his party leadership lauded the services of Saqib Nisar who was busy in targeting PTI opponents and sending them jail."

He added that Nisar and his son now distribute the PTI tickets to contest the election and earn millions of rupees from the aspiring candidates. "The same chief justice declared Imran Khan as "Sadiq and Ameen" (honest and righteous) and gave many decisions that favoured Imran and the PTI government in K-P.

Gas flaring

During the session, the assembly adopted a unanimous resolution recommending the provincial government to approach the federal government to devise a mechanism for utilizing the gas burnt during oil excavation.

Moving the resolution, GDA MPA Nand Kumar Goklani said that there are many oil wells in Sindh that burn flare gas. He said while the practice was harmful for the environment and health of the people and all the living things, it was also a waste of precious natural resource. "If this gas is properly utilised for the industrial, transport, CNG and power generation sectors the burden on supply of natural gas will be reduced," Goklani said.

Flaring is a common practice existing for decades. It involves burning natural gas existing in small underground pockets while operating the oil wells. At times when the natural gas pricves have escalated the practice has been called a waste of resources and there are international calls to utilize this gas, instead of simply burning it off in the air.

Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh while supporting the resolution said that it was timely move and all political parties have evolved consensus on this issue. "Sindh chief minister would also raise this issue in upcoming meeting of the Council of Common Interests," Shaikh said.

Since it was private day, the Rana Ansar, MQM Parliamentary leader in the assembly also moved a resolution to build the small dams in the province. Minister or irrigation Jam Khan Shoro was of the view that Sindh government has already established 106 small dams and work on 38 other dams is under way. Minister for parliamentary affairs Mukesh Chawla requested the MQM MPA to withdraw the resolution as the issue has already been resolved. "We should arrange a briefing on this issue so that members of this house can have idea about our efforts," Chawla said.

On his request Rana Anwar withdrew the resolution. During the session PPP MPA Sharmila Faruqui moved an adjournment motion on climate change and requested the deputy speaker to fix time for debate on the issue. Deputy speaker fixed Monday for the debate on the resolution. Later, the session was adjourned till Friday.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2023.