Sindh Assembly session: When winners gloat, losers become sour

MQM, PTI lawmakers exchange harsh words in first session after NA-246 by-elections.

KARACHI:

At the first Sindh Assembly after the NA-246 by-polls, the winning Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) made it a point to gloat as the outnumbered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers struggled to raise their voices.

"The voters have rejected 'Naya Pakistan'," said MQM MPA Khawaja Izharul Hassan, in his speech. "They completely rejected the party that intends to open Taliban's offices. They just voted in favour of Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan."

Amid shouts of 'Jeay Altaf [Long live Altaf]', Hassan gave a briefing on how his party managed to secure the seat despite different demands made by rival parties, such as having biometric verification of voters and deployment of law enforcers in all polling stations. He said that it was the only election in the history of Pakistan that was well organised, transparent and fair.



In his congratulatory message to the MQM, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) MPA Shaharyar Mahar said that the Sindh Rangers played a major role in the by-polls. "The [results of the] elections also proved that Rangers' operation was against criminals not against a certain political party," he said.

"We should appreciate all those who made these fair elections possible," said senior minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, adding that real power lies with the people. "I need the old Pakistan, not a new one," he said, in an obvious remark to the four PTI lawmakers.

Vastly outnumbered, the PTI MPAs raised their hands during Hassan's speech but were unable to get the speaker's permission until the end. "I congratulate the MQM," said Khurram Sher Zaman. He also appreciated the role of the LEAs. He did, however, accuse MQM workers of damaging PTI's election camps and stealing material.

At this, several MQM lawmakers started shouting slogans forcing Zaman to stop. But the speaker asked him to carry on. "Try to listen if you are a political party," said Zaman, when he was interrupted again. "Can they answer why our workers were pelted with stones during our rallies?" Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani told him he cannot ask anything. Zaman requested to speak more but was not allowed to. Following this, the PTI lawmakers walked out of the House in protest.

Information minister Sharjeel Memon said it was the PTI leaders' use of inappropriate words that led to the argument. "I advised the PTI leadership to control their words," he said. Memon appealed to all the lawmakers to avoid using inappropriate words. "You can oppose anything but within limits."

Issue of new provinces

Meanwhile, PML-F's Mahtab Akbar Rashdi pointed out that the MQM started shouting for a division of Sindh soon after they won the seat. "Did you [PPP] talk about the issue in the Lyari jalsa?" she asked, adding that it is a very sensitive issue for the people of Sindh.

"We can't understand MQM's demand for administrative units," said Khuhro. "This assembly has already rejected such demands," he added, saying using separate words for Sindh and Karachi should be stopped now. "We request the MQM to avoid demanding a division of Sindh now."

MQM's Hassan felt all the parties were unable to 'digest' their happiness. He clarified that the MQM was not in favour of a division of Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2015.