Misplaced gratitude: Hospital named after late Pir to thank him for services to PPP

Sindh Assembly also adopts resolution to ban sale, manufacture of toy guns.

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly passed on Tuesday a bill to rename the renowned Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences after Pir Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (late), the pir of Ranipur.

The latter was one of the founding members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and a close aide of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The 300-bed hospital, which is now equipped with the latest equipment and provides medical facilities to thousands of patients every year, was in fact established through the efforts of Dr Raheem Bux Bhatti. The renowned doctor transformed the facility from a two-room dispensary in 1974 to the state-of-the-art facility it is today but will be losing its name to a pir who had little to do with the facility.

The hospital has been named after the father of a PPP MPA. "My late father rendered great services for the people of Khairpur, as well as for the entire Sindh. He was a great Hakeem who even cured cancer patients, therefore I request all of you to please pass this bill," said PPP MPA Syed Fazal Ali Shah Jeelani, while moving the private bill.

"We support this amendment because late Pir Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani was a great spiritual leader and has a considerable following in the entire country," said MQM parliamentary leader, Syed Sardar Ahmed, whose party also endorsed the resolution.

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that Pir Jeelani, being a close friend of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, worked hard for the party and rendered great sacrifices for it. He reasoned that the law was a token of appreciation for his services. "Till his death, he did not leave the party and was an asset for us. Therefore, the institution should be named after him," he said.

After the speeches, the lawmakers unanimously passed the bill. PPP MPA Syed Fazal Ali Shah Jeelani, who happens to be the son of Syed Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani, thanked all the members for their vote and support.

Ban on toy guns

The Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution to impose a ban on the manufacture, import and sale of plastic guns toys which promoted negativity among children. The resolution was moved by MQM MPA Syed Saifudin Khalid. During the debate on the resolution, the MPAs also demanded to de-weaponise the province.

In his speech, Khalid referred to the campaigns initiated even in the US against plastic guns but which had shown no tangible results. "Unfortunately, parents proudly purchase guns as gifts for their children and these plastic guns motivate them at their tender age towards violence and crime," he said.

PPP's Jam Khan Shoro said that the plastic guns looked real and many criminals looted people with these toy guns. "A gang has recently been busted in the Punjab that used to loot people with plastic guns. No one can judge whether they are genuine or not," he said.

Syed Hafeezuddin of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also demanded a ban on real guns to make society free of weapons.

'The Metropolitan University Karachi Bill, 2015' moved by MPA Syed Faseeh Ahmed Shah was also introduced during the session. Meanwhile, a resolution to establish Sindh High Court branch in Mirpurkhas was also adopted by the assembly. It was tabled by MQM MPA Dr Zafar Kamali.

Mohammad Saleem Rajput of the MQM also moved a resolution to establish a university in Sukkur, which was unanimously passed. Later the speaker adjourned the session till Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2015.