March 28, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429

KARACHI, March 27: The designated parliamentary leader of the Pakistan People’s Party in the Sindh Assembly, Pir Mazharul Haq, called upon Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad at the Governor’s House on Thursday to discuss issues concerning the inaugural session of the provincial assembly, which has been summoned by the governor on Saturday, April 5, at 11am.

A source close to Pir Mazhar told Dawn he had suggested to the governor to hold the election of leader of the house, speaker and deputy speaker on the same day as their was no constitutional bar on such a procedure.

According to the source, the governor told Pir Mazhar he would look into it and would consult legal and constitutional experts about the possibility of holding elections for all three offices on the same day, ie the maiden session on April 5.

The source denied Pir Mazhar had asked the governor to call the session earlier than announced and claimed the Pir was “perfectly fine” with the date.

There was speculation in the media before the meeting between Dr Ibad and Pir Mazhar as some had said it was likely the Pir would request the governor to call the session earlier as the PPP leadership and cadre would be busy observing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death anniversary in Larkana, which falls on April 4, the day before the session is due to be called.

Pir Mazhar himself had welcomed the governor’s earlier announcement regarding the calling of the session, albeit warily, saying that though it was “a positive step,” it was a tad too close to ZAB’s anniversary and the PPP’s lawmakers would be busy in Larkana the day before the maiden assembly session is to meet.

However, unless things change drastically in the interim and especially after today’s meeting, it is highly unlikely the announced schedule will be changed.