The BackBencher: As the Brothers Jatoi pipe down, PPP MPAs nearly riot

Indeed, the day’s proceedings at the Sindh Assembly were nothing short of a full-blown drama.

The word “dramatic” has been much abused in order to describe the action that plays out in the houses of our elected representatives in Pakistan. But given what transpired on the floor of the Sindh Assembly on Thursday, I have no choice but to fall back on this adjective.

Indeed, the day’s proceedings were nothing short of a full-blown drama, replete with actors, directors, a supporting cast and a captive audience. The plot’s primary point of departure: Pakistan Muslim League-Q MPA Shaharyar Mahar’s announcement that he was resigning from the cabinet.

At 11 am, before the proceedings began, reporters were greeted with the news that there was another meeting of parliamentarians underway to discuss the resolution that National Peoples Party’s (NPP) Masroor Ahmed Jatoi has been trying to table since last Friday.

But there was no three-hour delay as there was earlier this week. The seats filled up and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah walked in, while Jatoi sat on the edge of his seat, waiting to spring up to ask for a chance to speak.

But the Brothers Jatoi, Masroor and Arif Mustafa – who had vowed they would see the resolution through – seemed almost decimated. When the matter was referred to a committee by Speaker Nisar Khuhro, they politely agreed, prompting speculation that they had been either sufficiently persuaded or pressured to drop the issue.

Hilariously enough, it was food minister and Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Nadir Magsi who insisted the speaker give the committee a deadline. The chief minister, law minister, and finance minister, glared at him to stop talking.

While there are reports that the CM had cross-examined PPP members who had signed the NPP’s resolution, another rumour circulating in the press gallery was that most of the signatures had come from the pro-Zulfiqar Mirza MPAs, who had signed on at Sharjeel Memon’s behest.

The MPAs were in a pugilistic mood, ready to pick a fight, even at the expense of offending the coalition. Of the many arguments, it was hard to pick a favourite. Information Minister Shazia Marri and Saleem Khokhar had a screaming match in the assembly, after Marri asked where his own children went to school as he tried to present a resolution, calling for a “uniform system of education” in the province. Khokhar’s retort piqued Rafique Engineer, who demanded it be expunged. Marri’s red outfit matched her mood, though she seemed to be calmer by the time she left the assembly.

While the danger from the Brothers Jatoi - that their resolution would force coalition parties to side with the NPP and help them win kudos in Sindh – was averted, Rafique Engineer almost single-handedly caused a rift with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Had peacemaker Rehman Malik heard, he would have been packing his bags for a flight to Karachi.

Rafique decided to rant about how Karachi had become a “no-go” area for Sindh’s students, and that they were denied admission in schools in the city because of a Sindh domicile. “Lyari’s students do not get admission,” Rafique yelled. Perhaps he was trying to appease his miffed constituency, where residents allege he doesn’t care a jot for them.

MQM deputy parliamentary leader Faisal Subzwari could be seen gesturing at other party members to not respond, while Sardar Ahmed and Subzwari then calmly responded, as Subzwari declared that even he wouldn’t be able to get admission.

The Brothers Jatoi are probably to blame for all this pent-up tension. The house was spoiling for a fight, reporters predicted fireworks... and nothing happened. But lo and behold, Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah argued with at least one of the brothers - Arif Mustafa Jatoi – over the rules of procedure. Shah’s anger really did hint at some underlying issue – perhaps the poor man had to sit through the negotiations or was upset that the resolution has sparked criticism of the PPP in Sindh?

In other news, why is every question hour not answered by Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani? It was terribly entertaining, as Durrani told every MPA who questioned why the government wasn’t spending on this and that, that they should donate their own funds for the cause. Durrani also told the house that during the British era, “They would put criminals in zoos if they ran out of space in jails. Visitors would get to see captive humans and animals and it would scare the criminals too!” He also claimed the police had illegally occupied schools in Sindh, which Home Minister Manzoor Wassan did not find amusing.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2012.