Turning a new leaf: MPAs to remove fancy licence plates ahead of Oct 1 drive
PML-F MPA suggests arresting MPA of the area where crime takes place.
Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani will have to fix his own fleet of cars, which say ‘Kot Durrani’ on the licence plates. Durrani encouraged all MPAs to fix their licence plates ahead of the traffic police drive on October 1. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Perhaps the biggest violators of the fancy licence plate ban, the Sindh MPAs have now agreed to get standardised ones for their cars.
At the Sindh Assembly session on Wednesday, the lawmakers and Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani announced that they will make sure their vehicles are registered with the excise and taxation department ahead of the traffic police drive against fancy licence plates that is scheduled to take place from October 1.
“Before the traffic police start their drive against unregistered vehicles from next month, we, as lawmakers, should start this campaign from this House,” he said, requesting all MPAs to make sure their cars don’t have fancy number plates with ‘MPA’, ‘AFR’ or any person’s, tribe or party name.
“Avoid hoisting party flags and cooperate with the police whenever they stop you to check your vehicle and its documents,” he encouraged. “The police have a right to stop you. This is being done to clean the city of unregistered vehicles, which are used for terrorist and criminal activities.” His suggestion was welcomed by all MPAs and they thumped their desks in appreciation.
Information minister Sharjeel Memon diverted the speaker’s attention toward security threats to the assembly building and requested him to summon the IGP to prepare a new security plan. “I have written to the IGP, but the police have yet to respond,” Durani replied.
‘Arrest MPAs’
To manage the law and order situation, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s (PML-F) Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah suggested holding the MPA responsible for any crime in their areas. “Instead of arresting the unit in-charge of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for any crime in his area, I suggest arresting the MPA of that area.” Shah explained that lawmakers have influence in their constituencies and can control crime if they themselves feel threatened. His suggestion was appreciated by most legislators.
Fake appointments of teachers
On fake appointments of teachers by the outgoing government, PML-F’s Nusrat Sehar Abbasi asked what action the government has taken against the officials responsible. “Those fake orders have been declared null and void and the protesters claimed they paid money to lawmakers of the ruling party,” she claimed.
Education minister Nisar Khuhro responded that he has formed a committee. “Those officials have been suspended but they have gone to court and sought a stay order,” he said, dismissing her accusations.
Street children
On Wednesday, the assembly adopted a resolution by MQM MPA Irum Farooque to control the number of street children. The legislators were told that the rehabilitation centre in Korangi, which was formed to provide counselling to children taken off the streets, has been encroached upon. “The police have to arrest beggars and admit them at such centres but this centre has been occupied illegally by the police,” said MQM parliamentary leader Sardar Ahmed.
Earlier, Farooque pointed out that the number of street children in Sindh is rising alarmingly with 30,000 homeless children living on Karachi streets. “Street children are being operated by gangs, who kidnap them and break their limbs for begging,” she said. “These children are susceptible to all kinds of violence and easy prey for all types of abusers.”
Review disaster policy
The Sindh lawmakers also adopted a resolution on the earthquake in Balochistan that claimed more than 250 lives. Later, the legislators asked the Sindh government to reviews its disaster management policy.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2013.
Perhaps the biggest violators of the fancy licence plate ban, the Sindh MPAs have now agreed to get standardised ones for their cars.
At the Sindh Assembly session on Wednesday, the lawmakers and Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani announced that they will make sure their vehicles are registered with the excise and taxation department ahead of the traffic police drive against fancy licence plates that is scheduled to take place from October 1.
“Before the traffic police start their drive against unregistered vehicles from next month, we, as lawmakers, should start this campaign from this House,” he said, requesting all MPAs to make sure their cars don’t have fancy number plates with ‘MPA’, ‘AFR’ or any person’s, tribe or party name.
“Avoid hoisting party flags and cooperate with the police whenever they stop you to check your vehicle and its documents,” he encouraged. “The police have a right to stop you. This is being done to clean the city of unregistered vehicles, which are used for terrorist and criminal activities.” His suggestion was welcomed by all MPAs and they thumped their desks in appreciation.
Information minister Sharjeel Memon diverted the speaker’s attention toward security threats to the assembly building and requested him to summon the IGP to prepare a new security plan. “I have written to the IGP, but the police have yet to respond,” Durani replied.
‘Arrest MPAs’
To manage the law and order situation, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s (PML-F) Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah suggested holding the MPA responsible for any crime in their areas. “Instead of arresting the unit in-charge of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for any crime in his area, I suggest arresting the MPA of that area.” Shah explained that lawmakers have influence in their constituencies and can control crime if they themselves feel threatened. His suggestion was appreciated by most legislators.
Fake appointments of teachers
On fake appointments of teachers by the outgoing government, PML-F’s Nusrat Sehar Abbasi asked what action the government has taken against the officials responsible. “Those fake orders have been declared null and void and the protesters claimed they paid money to lawmakers of the ruling party,” she claimed.
Education minister Nisar Khuhro responded that he has formed a committee. “Those officials have been suspended but they have gone to court and sought a stay order,” he said, dismissing her accusations.
Street children
On Wednesday, the assembly adopted a resolution by MQM MPA Irum Farooque to control the number of street children. The legislators were told that the rehabilitation centre in Korangi, which was formed to provide counselling to children taken off the streets, has been encroached upon. “The police have to arrest beggars and admit them at such centres but this centre has been occupied illegally by the police,” said MQM parliamentary leader Sardar Ahmed.
Earlier, Farooque pointed out that the number of street children in Sindh is rising alarmingly with 30,000 homeless children living on Karachi streets. “Street children are being operated by gangs, who kidnap them and break their limbs for begging,” she said. “These children are susceptible to all kinds of violence and easy prey for all types of abusers.”
Review disaster policy
The Sindh lawmakers also adopted a resolution on the earthquake in Balochistan that claimed more than 250 lives. Later, the legislators asked the Sindh government to reviews its disaster management policy.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2013.