KARACHI: Opposition, treasury agree to disagree: Debate on law, order
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Sept 8: While opposition’s bid for a discussion against the Greater Thal Canal project could not succeed again on Monday, the treasury benches also could not press their move for taking up discussion on law and order out of turn as they kept insisting on not extending time of the proceeding to discuss even their own motion.
The requisitioned session was called on Aug 26, but on one pretext or the other, the treasury side has, so far, not allowed discussion on a substantive agenda of the opposition.
At initial stage of the proceedings on Monday, senior minister Syed Sardar Ahmad proposed that all other business of the House be suspended under rule 211 to discuss law and order problem for two hours, but the leader of the opposition, Nisar Khuhro, disagreed and said proceedings be conducted according to the agenda of the day.
After hearing the movers, the speaker had to give his ruling on its admissibility, but surprisingly Syed Sardar Ahmad then agreed that order of the day be followed.
However, after the prayer-break when the House reassembled a few minutes before 1.30 pm, when proceedings are concluded for the day, the leader of the opposition, Nisar khuhro, Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Makhdoom Jameeluzzamn proposed that since law and order was an issue of common concern, timing of the House be extended.
They, however, proposed that since a motion had been presented by the treasury benches, they should also move a motion for extension in time. They accused the government of running away from discussion on such an important matter by not agreeing for extension in time.
At this stage, the members of the treasury benches accused the opposition of wasting time and not coming to the House according to schedule.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah of the PPP said since the Speaker, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, had given a ruling that as the opposition had requisitioned the session, the onus of providing quorum was also on the opposition. “If it is so, business of the opposition be discussed.”
Shazia Ata Marri contended that as the session started late, proceedings be extended to cover the lost time.
Nisar Khuhro said the assembly has to complete at least 70 days of sitting, but it appears that the government side was determined to waste this time. #
Provincial minister Saeeda Malik also favoured debate on law and order. Education minister Irfanullah Marwat said the government had proposed the same in the morning, “but the opposition was not willing and is now accusing us of wasting time.”
Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the motion was of the law minister, but he was not willing to move for an extension in time to discuss his matter which is a common issue.
The Sindh assembly, however, constituted a committee to examine the existing Tenancy Act and recommend amendments to cater to the obtaining conditions.
The committee was formed on a motion moved by the Communication Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim.
The committee comprised Syed Sardar Ahmed, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Dr Hameeda Khuhro, Jam Madad Ali, Ponju Mal and Dr Irfan Gul Magsi from treasury benches and Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi, Ali Mardan Shah, Nuzhat Pathan, Nawab Ali Wassan and Irfan Ali Shah from opposition side.
Considerable time was, however, consumed by points of order from both sides of the divide. Nasrullah Shaji of the MMA raised the point that the MMA had provided 12 names for the Capital City Police Safety Commission on 27 Sept 2002. Out of that list, only six names were announced. He was surprised that once again in August this year, names for safety commission have been invited.
The rampant use of “gutka” and “mainpuri” in Hyderabad was also raised in the House to which the provincial minister for Excise and Taxation Rauf Siddiqui said that seven containers were impounded by the CBR at Karachi and other preventive measures had been taken. Matters pertaining to ad hoc doctors, admission in colleges and taking hostage of tillers by a landlord were also raised on points of order in the House.
Before Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah adjourned proceeding for Tuesday, he declared that the next two days would be private members’ day.
