Media watch: Land Reforms Bill

The media discusses the move by the MQM and whether there is a possibility for such a bill to be approved.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Land reforms: pie in the sky

In the presence of a large number of feudals in parliament, it is highly unlikely that the MQM will be able to gather the necessary support. If, by a miracle, parliament passes this bill, its implementation will remain an issue in the presence of the same system of tehsildars and patwaris. In countries like Pakistan, where the ruling classes, particularly large land owners, control politics and power and are hooked to the country’s resources like leeches, land reform from the top, as attempted by Ayub Khan and Bhutto, is unlikely to succeed. (dailytimes.com.pk)

MQM's land bill

The most obvious indication of the landowners` power and greed is their shamefaced refusal to pay tax on agricultural income, while making the middle and lower classes pay taxes through their noses. This lobby has a vested interest in a continuation of the socio-economic status quo. (dawn.com)

Workers killed for moving LR Bill: MQM

Dr Farooq Sattar said the five party workers were killed as a punishment for moving Land Reforms Bill in National Assembly, Geo News reported Thursday. Addressing a press conference here, he said innocent workers of the party are being victimized, as five workers and sympathizers were killed in a matter of just two days. (thenews.com.pk)

Partly Facetious: Question of land reforms receives a new lease of life

"Presenting papers has become fashionable. The MQM presented a bill on land redistribution..."

"That would be equitable in one way but in another the country would have a deficit in all crops - you do know that it is the rich landlords who have a yield considerably higher than the national average...."

"Ah yes, but then the MQM would insist on providing free inputs and..."

"And the money for that would come from where? In any case the bill can be adopted but is unlikely to change the land holdings."

"So a waste of time?" – Anjum Ibrahim (brecorder.com)