23 March 2004	Tuesday	01 Safar 1425

KARACHI, March 22: Anti-government sentiment over the murder of MPA Abdullah Murad and the military operation in Wana charged the atmosphere in the Sindh Assembly on Monday as it resumed discussion on an adjournment motion on the MPA's killing.

The proceedings were reflective of the growing acrimony between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Pakistan People's Party on the one hand and the MQM and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on the other.

At the very outset, the House offered fateha for the slain spiritual leader of Hamas and those killed in the Wana operation. During the proceedings, chaired by Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Muttahida MPA Muhammad Husain, while deploring the murder of Abdullah Murad, alleged that his murder was the result of bickering within the PPP.

While the MQM MPA was raising an accusing finger at the PPP, PPP activists were protesting outside the assembly premises and accused the government of abetting the murderers. They also implicated the MQM and its leadership in the murder.

The proceedings were marred by pandemonium created by an exchange of allegations from both sides and a token walkout staged by the MMA in protest against the Wana operation.

The MMA lawmakers deplored the military operation in Wana and staged a token walkout to express their indignation. MMA parliamentary leader Molana Umar Sadiq alleged that Pakistanis were being killed by the security forces although people of that area had rendered great services for the country.

However, MQM's Mohammad Hussain asked those protesting over the Wana operation in the assembly to resign because, he said, they were in the government in the NWFP. He asked why the NWFP government was not resigning, and why they had welcomed the Karachi operation in 1992 in which innocent people had been killed.

These remarks made the opposition furious and MMA deputy parliamentary leader Nasrullah Shaji vowed to "continue protest against American slaves sitting in London" and who were ordering killings in Karachi."

Mr Mohammad Hussain responded by asking the MMA why it was not protesting against Qazi Hussain Ahmad who, he claimed, was enjoying perks. Mr Shaji demanded that Mr Altaf Hussain should be brought back to Pakistan for facing allegations against him.

PPP's Jam Saifullah Dharejo demanded that Sindh Assembly's standing committee on home affairs should be assigned the responsibility to oversee investigation of Abdullah Murad's murder. He said the committee should call the police inspector-general and others and find out facts from them.

Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah said standing committees had been constituted but the selection of chairman was pending. Syed Murad Ali Shah urged the speaker to take notice of the delay and get chairman elected.

When the debate on Abdullah Murad's murder commenced, Hameedullah advocate of the MMA said the slain MPA had been a daring representative of his people and had taken interest in the problems of people. He alleged that those who stuffed bodies in gunny bags were responsible for the murder of Abdullah Murad. He claimed that the same elements were not allowing relatives of Murad to lodge an FIR.

Mr Mohammad Hussain of the MQM paid tribute to Abdullah Murad and said it was part of a conspiracy of terrorists who had been afraid of his daring approach.

While Mr Hussain was speaking, Dr Hameeda Khuhro assumed the chair of speaker. Referring to remarks by the opposition, Mr Hussain said MQM's opponents did not want the party to take up the murder of Hajra and Sassi and had prepared a conspiracy to block MQM's entry into Malir area.

He alleged that murder of Abdullah Murad was part of the conspiracy to cover up PPP's internal differences, and assured the House that very soon a report on the incident would be presented.

Mr Ghulam Qadir Chandio was given the floor amid opposition's slogan -mongering against Mr Hussain's remarks. Mr Chandio said that the PPP had inherited the proud tradition of martyrdom and not of terrorism. "It is deplorable that our man has been killed and our own supporters are being arrested."

Functional Muslim League's Gulzar Unnar deplored the murder of Murad and demanded that an FIR should be registered. She also demanded investigation through senior judges.

Humaira Alwani of the PPP also condemned the killing and the government's refusal to register an FIR. She demanded that the Sindh government should resign for failing to protect life and property of its people.

She slammed the government for arresting Murad's son. While she was speaking, treasury bench members made noises. Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah adjourned the session to April 6.