PA passes resolution against petroleum levy

KARACHI:

The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously called on the federal government to abolish the petroleum levy and provide relief to inflation-hit citizens, even as an uproar by MQM lawmakers repeatedly disrupted proceedings on Private Members' Day.

The resolution, moved by Jamaat-e-Islami parliamentary leader Muhammad Farooq, demanded immediate withdrawal of the petroleum levy. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Lanjar said the matter fell within the federal government's jurisdiction and Sindh had no authority to abolish the levy, but the provincial government could not oppose the resolution because of its public importance.

The session was repeatedly disrupted by MQM lawmakers, who chanted slogans including "Sindhudesh Na Manzoor" and "Speaker-gardi Na Manzoor". Speaker Owais Qadir Shah repeatedly urged the protesting members to take their seats and allow proceedings to continue, remarking that the entire province was watching what was happening inside the house. The session also witnessed a heated exchange over alleged police violence against PTI workers. PTI lawmaker Sajjad Ali alleged that two SHOs had subjected party workers to violence in Karachi, claiming that one worker's leg had been broken. He warned that the party would "take revenge with interest" from the police officers concerned.

The Sindh Assembly Secretariat sent copies of the resolution against provinces to the Presidency, Prime Minister's Secretariat, Senate and National Assembly principal secretaries. The session was eventually adjourned until 2pm on Wednesday.