20 November 2004	Saturday	07 Shawwal 1425

KARACHI, Nov 19: The Sindh Assembly on Friday expressed concern over threats to noted social worker Abdus Sattar Edhi, problems being faced by Umrah pilgrims in Jeddah, and death of many people, who consumed spirit, in Hyderabad. The house also unanimously adopted resolutions condoling demise of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and UAE President Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.

MMA's Nasrullah Shaji took up the matter of threats to the renowned social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi and his son Rizwan Edhi from miscreants who set the Edhi centre at Civil Hospital on fire.

Speaking on a point of order, Mr Shaji told the house that the miscreants also abducted one of the Edhi volunteers and hurled threats at Maulana Edhi and his son. He quoted Maulana Edhi as saying that he would leave Karachi unless protection to him and his foundation was ensured.

Describing Maulana Edhi as 'a national asset', Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui maintained that the Maulana had earlier been offered security by the government but he had turned down the offer. However, the minister added, the government had tightened security for him on its own.

Mr Siddiqui told the house that he spoke to Maulana Edhi at about 1:45am on Friday and asked if he knew those extending threats to him. But, he added, the Maulana said he did not know them.

The minister said that he assured Maulana Edhi that the government would not hesitate in arresting culprits if they were identified by the Maulana and would also ensure proper security if he wished so.

Earlier, when the house resumed its proceedings, with acting Speaker Ms Rahila Tiwana in the chair, opposition leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on a point of order sought suspension of rules to move resolutions to condole the demise of UAE ruler Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Law Minister Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed suggested that the treasury and opposition benches should move joint resolutions to pay tributes to the late leaders for their courageous role in the service of the Ummah.

Two separate resolutions were then moved jointly by Mr Khuhro and Planning Minister Shoaib Bukhari. The resolutions, adopted unanimously, eulogized the services of the 'great Muslim leaders'.

The house expressed its heartfelt grief over the demise of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and described him as 'a great friend of Pakistan and its people.' The co-sponsor of the other resolution was Chaudhry Iftikhar.

Through the resolution, rich tributes were paid to the brave leadership of Yasser Arafat who led a long struggle for the nationhood and inalienable rights of Palestinian people, and succeeded in achieving a separate state for them.

Yasser Arafat spent his whole life in the struggle for a homeland for Palestinian Muslims, the resolution said, adding that he would always be remembered in the Muslim history.

While Mr Khuhro was moving the resolution, Mr Bukhari interrupted to clarify that Mr Arafat's full name was Abdul Rauf Abu Amar Yasser Arafat. Chaudhry Iftikhar corrected the name and read out the resolution but Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro said Abu Amar was not part of the late leader's name.

Mohammad Hussain, who was presiding over the session at that moment, said that 'Abdul Rauf Abu Amar' be deleted from the resolution. During the deliberations, Nasrullah Shaji raised the issue of firing targeted at the house of an MMA activist, Abdul Sattar Khoso, in Kashmor.

Mr Khoso's son sustain injuries, the member said, and regretted that police did not take any action against the attackers. Demanding the provincial government's intervention in the matter, Mr Shaji cautioned that it would, otherwise, become a serious law and order problem.

PPP's Rafiq Engineer staged a token walkout in protest against the deteriorating law and order in Lyari where, he said, "gangs of bandits are operating under official patronage". He alleged that law and order in Lyari was being spoiled deliberately. He lamented that the government had totally failed in providing protection to the original residents of Karachi.

He claimed that members of an ethnic group had snatched garment merchandise of local people on the eve of Eid and deliberately disturbed peace to force closure of the traditional bachat bazaar in the area. The miscreants' aim, he further stated, was to keep the local traders away from business activities on the eve of Eid in order to make room for outsiders.

The opposition member also slammed the government for rendering residents of Neelam Colony homeless. Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui assured the house that Lyari would be turned into a bastion of peace and very soon a joint operation by police and Rangers would be launched there to flush out criminals.

On a point of order, Maulana Ehsanullah Hazarvi complained of the problem created by those officials of law-enforcement agencies who, he claimed, were patronizing vice dens.

Mr Siddiqui said the government would take stern action against drug pushers and vice dens. Stern action would also be taken against 'black sheep' in police, he added.

Mr Abdur Rehman Rajput raised the issue of the death of many people who consumed spirit in Hyderabad. He held the Excise and Taxation department responsible for the tragedy. The home minister told the house that 13 people died over the past week after they consumed spirit. Four people, he added, had so far been arrested.

PPP's Nawaz Chandio complained of the sale of agricultural inputs at higher prices. Abdul Razzaq Rahmu complained that atta was being sold at Rs15 per kg in Thar, and also spoke of paucity of wheat affecting operation of chakkis.

Food Minister Arif Jatoi told the house that wheat was being provided in accordance with quota. On his reply, opposition members chanted slogans of 'shame... shame'.

PPP's Ms Sharfunnisa complained of paucity of water for agricultural purposes and alleged that water was being provided only to the pro-government waderas. Later, acting speaker Rahila Tiwana adjourned the session till 10:00am on Monday.