Sindh

Opposition fails to table resolution against KESC

PPP legislator walks out of Sindh Assembly session against victimisation of of minorities.

Express November 16, 2010

KARACHI: Despite repeated requests, Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Jam Madad Ali failed to table a resolution against two electricity companies on Monday.

Jam Madad wanted the Sindh Assembly standing committee on irrigation and power to initiate an inquiry into the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) for deliberately delaying the start of power schemes in different districts.

The Sindh Assembly session on Monday started at 10:10 am with Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in chair.

Before Jam Madad received permission to table the resolution, Minister for Finance Murad Ali Shah pointed out that under rule 179, of the rules of procedure of the assembly, the opposition has to submit the motion at least seven days before tabling it. “How can one take part in a debate on the issue when there is no copy of the resolution with any member?” he questioned.

Jam Madad defended himself by saying that the rules can be relaxed given that this was an issue of public interest. “We have never ever objected when such rules are relaxed for other resolutions,” he said. “This resolution is not against the government so why are you people opposing it,” he asked.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) parliamentary leader Pir Mazharul Haq agreed to support the resolution but said that the “wording of the resolution is not correct”.

The speaker asked Haq to sit with Jam Madad and propose the amendments.

However, treasury members, including Sindh law minister Ayaz Soomro, said the revised draft should be tabled after Eid.

Jam Madid told The Express Tribune that he has received a number of complaints from opposition members that Hesco and KESC are not cooperating with them. “These companies have to provide electricity to areas for which the government has released funds under MPA schemes,” he explained. “But officials of these companies are not cooperating with the legislators and are unwilling to return the amount left over after the completion of certain schemes,” he added.

Jam Madad was disappointed that the speaker did not allow him to table the resolution. He felt that “PPP members always discourage opposition resolutions and a similar fate met my earlier resolution on sugar prices”.

Review of the colonisation of government lands bill

The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed consideration of the amended bill on colonisation of government land amid heated arguments between National Peoples Party’s Arif Mustafa Jatoi, the Speaker and treasury members.

It all started when Khuhro requested the law minister to table the bill for amendment. Jatoi stood up to point out that the “bill was passed unanimously by the House a few days ago”. The bill gives power to the chief minister to extend the deadline for education and health projects for a two-year period.

“The bill has been sent to the governor for his assent, under rule 199, and cannot be amended,” he said.

The Speaker assured that the bill was still in possession of the assembly and therefore any amendments can be made. Jatoi was, however, adamant. “It is against the rules, which you sitting in this ‘August House’ are violating.”

Khuhro gave in and asked the law minister to avoid this practice in the future. According to the amendment, the chief minister can extend the deadline for an indefinite time, and not just two years. Jatoi refused to be a part of the legislation and staged a walkout until the bill was passed unanimously by the House.

Victimisation of minorities

Minority legislator from the PPP Saleem Khurshid Khokar walked out of the assembly on a point of order. Recently, a Christian woman in the Punjab was given a death penalty under Section 295 B-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, said Khokar. This section was added in the constitution by former dictator General Ziaul Haq and specifically victimises minorities, he added.

Public Service Commission

A large number of candidates qualified the Sindh Public Service Commission exam yet they are waiting for their orders, said Jam Madad. He demanded the government complete the process so that these people can get their jobs on merit.

Resolution for Faiz Ahmed Faiz Year

Muttahida Qaumi Movement legislator Faisal Subzwari moved a resolution recommending that the year 2011 be declared Faiz Ahmed Faiz Year. The House recommended that the Sindh government should plan events in every town to pay tribute to the legendary poet. It was also decided that the works of Faiz will be translated into Sindhi.

690 police officers facing inquiries on corruption

Nearly 690 police officers are facing inquiries under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947, said Minister for Anti-corruption Abdul Haque Bhurt.

Most of these cases are pending and no official has been dismissed yet.

Between 2008 and 2009, the department has lodged 461 cases, out of which 262 have been finalised and 199 are pending for investigations.

The assembly also introduced the Sindh Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill 2010. The session was adjourned for an indefinite time.

Corruption

Between 2008 and 2009, the anti-corruption department has lodged cases against the following departments: