LAHORE, June 20: The opposition staged a token walkout in the Punjab Assembly on Sunday to protest against what it called "hooliganism" of the MQM and "apathy" of the government towards the plight of the press.
Deputy opposition leader Rana Sanaullah had alleged on a point of order that exiled MQM leader Altaf Husain had threatened the authorities of a private TV channel with dire consequences if they telecast any programme against his party interests.
The TV channel was to telecast a programme on the recent terror wave in Karachi. Representatives of the MQM as well as other political parties had been invited to participate in it.
He alleged that a high-ranking government officer had earlier warned the same TV channel against telecasting an interview with PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif. The host, Dr Shahid Masood, had been told that if the interview was not cancelled, lives of his family members in Karachi would be in danger as MQM people had been given the necessary directions to this effect, Rana Sana further alleged.
Speaker Afzal Sahi said the point of order was not relevant to the Punjab Assembly. Rana Sana said the government could at least convey the feelings of the house to the federal government.
Law Minister Raja Basharat objected to the raising of the issue saying the provincial government was not involved in any kind of anti-press activities. He argued that the issue should be raised either in the National Assembly or the Sindh Assembly where representatives of the MQM were also present.
Rana Sana questioned the relevance of the resolutions passed in support of Gen Pervez Musharraf's uniform by the house. He contested the speaker's ruling that his point of order was not valid and alleged that the chair was being partial by following signals from the government.
MMA's Asghar Gujjar said Punjab could not be indifferent to whatever was happening in the rest of the country. He argued that the issue was relevant as the party ruling the province was a partner of the MQM in governments at the centre and in Sindh.
He also objected to the president's statement about his party's Amir, Qazi Husain Ahmad, demanding that Gen Musharraf observe parliamentary etiquettes. Later, all opposition members walked out of the house as a token of protest against MQM's policies and government's indifference to the poor law and order situation.
