MQM all set to rejoin assemblies

Senator Mashadi says lawmakers will return once legislative sessions begin


Maryam Usman October 23, 2015
Senator Mashadi says lawmakers will return once legislative sessions begin. PHOTO: Screen Grab

ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has confirmed its lawmakers will return to assemblies once legislative sessions begin.

Legislators of the Altaf Hussain-led party had resigned en masse from the Senate, National Assembly and the Sindh Assembly on August 12 against the alleged high-handedness of law enforcement agencies, particularly the paramilitary Rangers, against its party workers in the ongoing Karachi operation.

Resignations saga: MQM delays lawmakers’ return

“We are waiting for the assemblies to be called and we will be there on that day and attending the respective house (sessions),” said the MQM’s Senator Col (retd) Tahir Hussain Mashadi on Thursday.

Legally, however, the lawmakers will have to first withdraw their resignations before they can participate in the sessions or parliamentary committee meetings.

Last week, the federal government had formed a grievance redressal committee (GRC) to resolve the complaints of the MQM among other disgruntled political parties, individuals and entities against the law enforcement agencies.

MQM resigns from Parliament, Sindh Assembly

Lauding the constitution of the GRC, Mashadi said the government had shown a reconciliatory attitude and concern for human rights, supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law, which was the only demand the political party had made.

“Our only demand was that if any injustice is being done, any law or constitutional provision is being violated, any custodial killing, any extrajudicial killing and any torture by law enforcing agencies [is happening], the public has a right to complain,” he said.

MQM to reclaim seats in assemblies

There must be a committee, he added, to listen to that complaint. “Now they have given us that committee and it is good of MQM chairman Altaf Hussain and PM Nawaz Sharif to have shown pro-public spirit,” the senator said, adding the party was willing to sort out smaller demands in the parliament session.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2015.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ