PPP enjoyed supremacy amid weak opposition

Representation for critical issues pertaining to security and water remained missing in the provincial assembly

KARACHI:

For Sindh's ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the new legislative year couldn't have begun on a more triumphant note. With the opposition unable to mount a serious challenge, let alone block legislation, the first year of the provincial assembly saw little resistance to the PPP's agenda.

Despite this dominant position, independent members backed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managed to voice public grievances to some extent. However, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) boycotted the oath-taking ceremony entirely, leaving their constituencies without representation in the Assembly throughout the year.

Any lingering doubts about the opposition's position in the legislature were dispelled when the MQM chose a cooperative stance, even forgoing the tradition of demanding the Public Accounts Committee chairmanship for the Opposition Leader-a position typically reserved for an adversarial check on the ruling party.

This political landscape was shaped by the General Elections 2024, where the PPP secured a commanding majority in the Sindh Assembly, winning 118 out of 168 seats. The resounding victory enabled the party to form the provincial government unchallenged. Meanwhile, the MQM claimed 37 seats, independent members backed by the PTI secured eight, and the JIP won two. However, the effectiveness of these parties was further undermined by JIP leader Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman's decision not to take the oath of membership.

Commenting on the matter, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP)'s spokesperson Zahid Askari revealed that Hafiz Naeem has not taken the oath of membership of the provincial assembly since he believed that he did not win this seat. "As per his claims, the seats that JIP won in the last General Elections were not awarded to them, and he was only declared successful for his seat due to the results shown in Form 47. Something which his party does not accept," said Askari.

It is worth noting that the GDA had a solid presence in the last General Elections, with three of its members being elected to office. However, it's surprising to note that even after almost a year, none of these members have taken the oath of membership. The elected members belong to the Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) party, which is led by Sindh's renowned spiritual leader Pir Pagara. One of the elected members is Pir Pagara's son, Pir Muhammad Rashid Shah, who won the election from Khairpur Mirs during the recent polls. The other two members are Ghulam Dastgir Rajar from Sanghar district and a candidate nominated by the party on the quota reserved for women.

According to GDA General Secretary Safdar Abbasi, the GDA members refused to take their membership oath as a form of protest, driven by their conviction that the last General Elections lacked transparency. In an interview with The Express Tribune, Abbasi expressed his belief that the elections were rigged, and as a result, his party does not acknowledge the legitimacy of the Assembly that has been formed. "My party has consistently advocated for fresh, transparent elections in the country, and they remain committed to this stance," implored Abbasi.

Senior journalist and analyst Muhammad Munir Saqi believed that the absence of elected members of the GDA in the provincial assembly due to their refusal to take oath, has resulted in a lack of representation for their constituents on critical issues including those pertaining to security and the shortage of agricultural water in Sindh.

"The MQM members did speak out on public issues in the House, but their focus was mainly on Karachi. Unfortunately, this meant that the poor law-and-order situation in other districts of Sindh, particularly in areas plagued by kidnapping for ransom incidents, went unaddressed. Additionally, the GDA members were the only ones who could have effectively raised their voices on crucial issues like the potential shortage of agricultural water, but since they haven't taken their oath of membership yet, these important issues are being neglected in the provincial assembly," opined Saqi.