The Sindh Assembly on Sunday night with police and guards filtering those arriving for the wedding (marquee inside). PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS
A day after news channels flashed breaking news of his nephew’s wedding taking place in the premises of assembly building, Durrani was quick to defend himself. “This is not an actual issue but the media has started a campaign against me,” he told the media after Monday’s Sindh Assembly session. “I, being a speaker, can arrange a party on the premises of assembly.”
He invited reporters to his office to look at the books when they asked him which law allowed him to arrange private functions.
Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League - Functional’s (PML-F) Nusrat Seher Abbasi raised this issue on the Sindh Assembly floor, where information minister Sharjeel Memon responded: “The PML-F was a coalition partner of former dictator General Musharraf, who used to hold dance parties inside President House.”
Hyderabad police
During Monday’s session, a majority of the lawmakers claimed that Hyderabad police have been patronising criminals, turning the second largest city of Sindh into a safe haven for them. Discussing the adjournment motion moved by Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA Naila Munir, the MPAs felt Karachi’s terrorists and extortionists have found safe abodes in Hyderabad. “The government should initiate a crackdown not only against these criminals but also senior police officials, who have links with these suspects,” said Munir.
Despite objections raised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members over the admissibility of the motion, speaker Durrani gave the lawmakers two hours to discuss Hyderabad.
MQM’s Rana Ansar shared how the dacoits made her family hostage in Hyderabad, tortured her and looted all her valuables. “Hyderabad is not only rich with local culture and tradition but was famous because of its fresh air and sweet water. Now the criminals have polluted this city with guns and bullets.”
PML-F’s Abbasi felt the situation would not come under control unless criminal elements are fired from the police department and jobs are given on merit. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Samar Ali Khan emphasised on the need to have an autonomous police system that works without the interference of the provincial government.
Meanwhile, PPP’s Jam Khan Shoro insisted these claims were merely to defame Hyderabad which, according to him, is more peaceful than any other city in Pakistan. “Police officials are appointed on merit,” he said.
Memon was quick to add that several policemen were involved in dubious activities. “It was revealed that DSP Ayoub Durrani was running 10 illegal guest houses so the government suspended him.”
Criminals using Afghan SIMs
The lawmakers diverted the attention of the house towards the fact that mobile SIMs from Afghanistan were being used in Karachi to collect extortion. Khawaja Izaharul Hassan, MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader, questioned why mobile phone locators were not detecting illegal SIMs. Memon assured they have written to the federal government to tell telecommunication companies to block illegal SIMs.
Gorakh Hill project
The assembly passed the Gorakh Hill Development Authority (Amendment) bill appointing PPP MNA Rafique as the chairperson. Several opposition members had, earlier, complained why the authority was being put under the control of an MNA, who cannot be held accountable in the provincial assembly, but the bill was passed on Monday without any objections.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th,2013.
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