KARACHI, Sept 1: Syed Qaim Ali Shah, a former chief minister and senior PPP leader, has said that the issues for which the current session of the Sindh Assembly was requisitioned, are the issues of the people of Sindh and equally related to all the members of this House.

He regretted that during the last six days of the session, the treasury benches resorted to tactics aimed at avoiding a debate on these issues. However, he pointed out, despite their continued efforts in Monday’s proceedings, the opposition succeeded in tabling its motions.

Briefing newsmen in the chambers of the opposition after the proceedings, Mr Shah said that it was the responsibility of the government to inform people that how had it handled the situation arising out of the recent rain; how did it provide relief to the affected people; and how was the affairs to the victims’ rehabilitation handled. However, he added, the chief minister had so far failed to take people into confidence on the matter.

Mr Shah was also critical of the Speaker’s attitude and complained that the chair did not allow him to move Mr Nisar Khuhro’s motion though, he maintained, it was very much appropriate that a member be given an opportunity to table the other member’s motion in the latter’s absence.

He stressed that the GTC issue was a matter of public importance as people in every nook and corner of Sindh had been protesting against its construction. Certain statements issued by the rulers and containing a resolve to go ahead with the project, he said, tantamount to an insult to the elected House besides being negation of democracy.

“It is a provincial and constitutional matter which can be raised in the assembly at any time as it is a matter of life and death for Sindh and no individual has the right to take a unilateral decision,” he maintained.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah expressed the hope that better sense would prevail and the finance minister, who is also a senior minister in the cabinet, would fulfil his commitment to support the move to get the issue debated in the House.

Mr Shah stressed that in view of the significance of the issue, it should be deliberated upon without considering a time limit.