KARACHI, Feb 18: The Sindh Assembly meets here on Monday in the first session of the new parliamentary year amid a charged atmosphere created by results of the recent by-elections for NA 250 and PA 71. The results have heightened tension between treasury benches and the opposition, particularly the Pakistan People’s Party, which was runner up in the polls.

The NA-250 (Karachi-XII) had fallen vacant after the death of its occupant, Abdul Sattar Afghani of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. The PA 71 (Dadu) had fallen vacant following death of Siddique Shoro of Pakistan People’s Party.

The PPP had fielded Nafees Ahmad Siddiqui for NA-250 and Dr Sikander Shoro for PA-71. It lost the NA seat to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement whose candidate was Capt (r) Akhlaq Hussain, and the PA seat to the Pakistan Muslim League–Q which had fielded Pir Mujeebur Rehman Shah Jilani.

The PPP reacted strongly to the results accusing the government of having rigged the polls and the election commission of turning a blind eye towards the unfair means resorted to by its rival parties.

The reported attempt on the life of PPP MNA and Information Secretary Sherry Rehman during a protest rally against the Election Commission has added to the already charged political atmosphere.

There are indications of a furore in the house when the treasury and opposition members will sit face to face and the chair will call Pir Mujeeb Shah Jilani, as well as Dr Shankar of the MQM who had also secured minority seat of the late MPA Yaqub Ilyas, to take oath.

In the absence of Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, who is currently on an official visit to Malaysia, the house would be called to order by Deputy Speaker Rahila Tiwana. The session has been summoned by Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.

The parliamentary parties of PPP and the ruling coalition held their separate meetings on Sunday and formulated their strategies for the session. Before going to the house, they will meet again in their respective chambers for a briefing.

Although, the business for the session is long enough and may take a whole week to deliberate upon, the political tension may lead to chaos and even pandemonium that have ultimately resulted in an abrupt adjournment and prorogation of many sessions held over the past few years.

According to the Assembly Secretary, Hadi Bux Burriro, after the oath taking, the house will take up order of the day which includes reading out the governor’s announcement that he had given his consent to 14 government bills passed during the previous session; laying of four ordinances issued when the house was not in session; and tabling of four government bills for consideration of the members.

Hafiz Naeem’s privilege motion against NADRA and Nisar Khuhro’s adjournment motion against rigging in the recent by-elections are also on the agenda.