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KARACHI, Nov 24: The opposition in the Sindh Assembly staged a walkout on Wednesday to express its indignation over chief minister's remarks about Asif Zardari's security following the latter's release and advice that Mr Zardari should move with his guards.
Leader of the opposition Nisar Khuhro, speaking on a point of order, raised the issue and asked that what message the chief minister wanted to convey by indicating that "revenge is part our society'' and stating that "Asif Zardari was more secure in jail and after his release he has become insecure, therefore, he should keep guards with him.''
Mr Khuhro was furious over the reported remarks of Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim during his press conference on Tuesday, one day after Mr Zardari's release. The opposition leader said that Mr Zardari had been languishing in jail for over eight years and his release was his basic right enshrined in the Constitution.
"As far as the question of security is concerned, it is the duty of government to protect the life and property of any citizen, which it must fulfil," he said, adding that the CM's remarks tantamount to extending threats.
Law Minister Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed contended that the chief minister had said nothing objectionable. However, the opposition walked out of the house in protest for a while, chanting slogans.
The opposition also demanded an extra day, during the current session, as 'private members day' so that the remaining bills and resolutions could be disposed of. Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah ruled that an extra day would be allocated in the next session. The opposition kept on chanting slogans prompting the speaker to adjourn the session till Thursday morning.
Earlier, when Mohammad Hussain, a member of the Panel of Chairmen, rejected a privilege motion moved by Hafiz Naeem of the MMA, the opposition member, along with Nasrullah Shaji, staged a walkout. Hafiz Naeem had complained that passport authorities were not obliging him.
During question hour, several members from both the opposition benches and treasury side rejected the Revenue Minister Imtiaz Shaikh's point of view when the members complained that despite the fact that Badin and Thatta had been declared calamity-hit area, growers in these areas were being charged agriculture tax.
QUESTION HOUR: Revenue Minister Imtiaz Shaikh on Wednesday denied any forcible recovery of land revenue and water tax from people of Badin and Thatta districts, already declared 'calamity-hit areas', adds APP.
However, he said, if any specific stance of such a recovery was brought to his notice, action would definitely be taken. He was replying to supplementary queries while replying to a question asked by opposition leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro during question hour in the Sindh Assembly.
A couple of opposition members challenged the minister's statement alleging that he was not providing facts to the house. The speaker told them that if the members considered his statement as devoid of facts, they had the right to move a privilege motion along with facts and documents.
In reply to a question asked by Kulsoom Nizamani, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim stated that the KBCA was working under the Sindh Building Control Ordinance. He stated that under section-4 of the SBCO, the city nazim had been declared an authority for the organization titled the 'Building Control Group of Offices'.
He said that five employees of the defunct KDA had been posted in the KBCA between January 2002 and March 2004.He said that were absorbed because of their requirement in the KBCA.
