Bickering MPAs pass two resolutions, one bill

MQM, PPP move separate resolutions on compensation of Shershah victims and target killing victims.

KARACHI: Bickering MPAs of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) passed two separate resolutions on the compensation for Shershah attack victims and victims of other target killings between October 14 and October 19.

During the session on Friday, the Sindh Assembly also unanimously passed the Zulfikarabad Development Authority Bill 2010.

The session started at around 11:30 am with Sindh Assembly  Deputy Speaker Shahla Raza in the chair. After arguing over how to start the session, the members settled for an oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected MQM MPA Saifuddin Khalid.

What drew the attention of the house was MQM MPA Khalid Ahmed moving a resolution for the compensation of victims in the Shershah attack. Innocent shopkeepers were gunned down by extortionists in, what Ahmed claimed, was a pre-planned attack since the suspects had visited the shops in the morning.

Sindh Minister for Katchi Abadis and PPP MPA Rafique Engineer stood up and requested the speaker for an amendment in this resolution under rule 107. “We condemn the Shershah attack but why is there a demand to compensate only those victims,” he said. “Families of those people who were killed in target killings on an ethnic basis also need to be compensated,” he added.

Members of the MQM were, however, of the opinion that an amendment to the resolution was uncalled for since Rafique Engineer mentioned two separate incidents. “Let the House decide the fate of this resolution because it is a specific motion and target killings started the next day,” said parliamentary leader of MQM, Sardar Ahmed. “If any member wants he can bring another resolution.”

Rafique Engineer insisted, however, that people from Lyari were killed on an ethnic basis near MA Jinnah Road, Usmanabad, Radio Pakistan and Liaquatabad on the same day as the Shershah attack. Therefore, they should also be compensated, he said.

MQM’s Faisal Sabzwari added that it is the responsibility of the government to expose the culprits. Sindh Minister for Law Ayaz Soomro has already promised full security and compensation for Shershah victims, Sabzwari recalled.

The deputy speaker interrupted the heated debate and said that “it seems no one follows the rules and procedures of the assembly”. “I will request the law minister to suggest what to do,” she said. For his part, Soomro said that every member has the right to bring a resolution.

Referring to his meeting with the traders in Shershah, Soomro said that the government will establish check-posts and issue licences to businessmen along with compensation. “We don’t have a magic wand to resolve their problem within minutes. It will take time,” he said.

After much deliberation, MPA Khalid Ahmed moved his resolution which was unanimously passed by the House. Rafique Engineer also requested the chair to move his resolution on compensating the victims of ethnic-based target killings. Even though Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed objected on the word ‘ethnicity’, the resolution was passed by the house nonetheless.

Zulfikarabad Development Authority Bill

Sindh Assembly also unanimously passed the Zulfikarabad Development Authority Bill 2010. The bill was moved by Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro to establish a modern city, called Zulfikarabad, in Thatta district and to establish an authority for this purpose. Sindh chief minister will be the chairman of the authority while chief secretary, additional secretary, Planning and Development, board of revenue senior member, secretary finance, secretary local government, member land utilisation and the Board of Revenue will be members of the authority.

They will prepare a master plan, which will include land reservation, public buildings, industry, transportation and communication, utilisation of water, power and other resources, community planning and housing.

Ramzan package

Pakistan Muslim League —Quaid MPA Muhammad Ali Malkani moved an adjournment motion to discuss the issue of a flour subsidy package worth Rs2.3 billion during Ramazan. According to him, flour mill owners did not provide flour at the subsidised rate of Rs20 per kilogramme.

The motion was opposed by PPP legislators, who said the issue is three months old. Malkani stressed that since Rs2.3 billion is a huge amount of money, the government should investigate where it went. The deputy speaker withdrew the motion without voting.

Gas supply to KESC

MQM’s Sardar Ahmed demanded the government ensure proper gas supply to Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC). Sindh contributes 71 per cent to the total production of gas and its consumption stands at 37.7 per cent, which is not sufficient, he said.

According to Ahmed, the approved quota of gas to KESC is around 276 million cubic feet per day but only 90 million cubic feet is being supplied. Now that KESC has started purchasing furnace oil, which is expensive, the consumers will have to bear the added expenses because the company will not have another option but to increase unit charges, he added.

The session has been adjourned till Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2010.