PHOTO: FILE
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement will be consulted on changing the site of the public university being proposed in Hyderabad which has added fuel to the fire between the party and the Pakistan Peoples Party, following the former’s departure from the government.
This was decided at a PPP parliamentary meeting, attended by 64 MPAs, held at the Chief Minister House on Monday to devise a strategy for the upcoming session on Wednesday.
Presiding over the meeting, PPP parliamentary leader and Sindh education minister, Pir Mazharul Haq, clarified his controversial comments. “I never opposed the establishment of a university in Hyderabad, but only asked that the site being suggested by MQM is changed,” he said, adding that the proposed location, Latifabad, is hardly a five-minute drive from the Sindh University. “Around three universities are already in the area. That is why we need to build the new university a little further away. Otherwise it will make no difference.”
Other PPP members were of the view that there would not be enough land available in Latifabad for a university, suggesting Qasimabad as an alternative location.
Earlier, Haq had said that the draft for the university in Hyderabad was ready and the government can move the bill at any time. “Coordination between PPP and the MQM can bring peace to Sindh - but I will continue to stand by my opinion as it is the PPP that has given me ticket and not MQM.”
Meanwhile, the chief minister has reportedly directed lawmakers of his party to participate in the assembly session so that the quorum can be maintained.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2013.
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