A special committee to decide a resolution that calls for retaining the mandatory constitutional role of the provinces in the creation of new federating units held its first meeting here on Tuesday.
At the outset of proceedings, provincial education minister, Pir Mazharul Haq, was elected the chairman of the committee which was formed by the Sindh Assembly on January 26. Representatives from coalition partners – the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, Awami National Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Q also attended the meeting.
The committee has been assigned to work out differences over a resolution which was critical of the MQM’s proposed amendment in the constitution regarding the creation of new provinces.
Tuesday’s meeting was presided over by Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro and it was decided that the committee would meet again on Wednesday.
While talking to the media after the meeting, Soomro said that the issue was already pending with the standing committee of the National Assembly. “The committee would take a decision about the resolution according to the rules, law and the Constitution,” he said, adding that, “The decision of the committee will not be against the interests of Sindh.”
Responding to a question, he admitted that the coalition partners have conflicting opinions over the resolution. He hurriedly added that this “was the beauty of democracy.”
The meeting was attended by Pir Mazharul Haq, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Shazia Marri, and Dr Sikandar Mandhro from the PPP besides the MQM’s Syed Sardar Ahmed, NPP’s Arif Mustafa Jatoi, PML-F’s Jam Madad Ali, PML-Q’s Abdul Razaque Rahimoon, and ANP’s Ameer Nawab.
The controversial resolution was moved by the ANP’s Masroor Jatoi, against the MQM’s proposed amendment to Article 239(4) of the constitution. Though the issue was believed to be of a sensitive nature, the committee held its first meeting 11 days after it was formed by the Sindh Assembly.
Jam Madad Ali, Ameer Nawab, Masroor Jatoi and Shaheryar Mahar also spoke on the occasion. Jam Madad said that around 40 MPAs had supported the resolution. He said that his party would not accept any basic change in the draft of the resolution. Abdul Razaque Rahimoon of the PML-Q (Arbab Rahim group) also said that they would continue to support the resolution.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2012.
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pir mazhar ul haq isn't this the same guy,,, who said i don't want Pakistan and sindh is not part of Pakistan?