On the agenda: Resolution against administrative divisions likely to dominate session

MQM leaders had demanded new administrative units.

KARACHI:

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's demand for new administrative units and division of Sindh may dominate the proceedings of the Sindh Assembly session today (Thursday) as opposition parties want to move a resolution against it.

The issue made headlines after MQM leaders demanded to make more administrative units in the country.  The opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, Shaharyar Mahar, addressed a press conference at his chambers on Wednesday, and said they have drafted a resolution against the bifurcation of Sindh.

"All parliamentary parties, except the MQM, have endorsed this resolution," said Mahar, adding that they will not let anyone divide Sindh or change its geography. "I will request the speaker to take up the resolution."

Mahar, flanked by Nand Kumar, the parliamentary leader of his party, also expressed concern over the delimitation of union councils carried out by the PPP government. He maintained that transparent delimitations will not be possible until the election commission was made independent. He was, however, against the idea of holding mid- term elections in the country and said that the incumbent government should complete its five-year term.  The provincial minister for parliamentary affairs, Dr Sikandar Mandhro, said that they cannot stop anyone from presenting a resolution. He added that it was the speaker's prerogative to accept or reject the resolution.

Agenda

Sindh Assembly secretary GM Umar Farooq said that the resolution against the division of Sindh is not listed in the routine business of the proceedings, but it can be moved outside the agenda. The items currently on the agenda include the Consumer protection bill, the injured persons' medical aid bill and an ordinance regarding the Dow University of Health Sciences among others. MQM members have also moved a resolution and adjournment motion against sectarian killings in Karachi.

Speaker asks Rangers for security

Meanwhile, speaker Agha Siraj Durrani has asked the Rangers to provide security during the session. In a letter written to the Rangers director-general, Durrani has referred to serious threats to the assembly and members and requested for strict security measures around the building.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2014.