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KARACHI, Feb 6: The proceedings of the Sindh Assembly came to life towards the end of the session on Friday when, taking advantage of the presence of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, MPA Nusrat Sehar Abbasi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional raised the issue of a breakdown of law and order in Khairpur district, which happens to be Mr Shah’s constituency and hometown.
Through a point of order, Ms Abbasi contested the repeated assurances of the provincial home minister regarding the law taking its course in the province. She said that he might be striving to enforce law and order in the province, but this was not evident from newspaper and TV reports.
Ms Abbasi referred to the increasing incidence of kidnapping, particularly in Khairpur district, where she cited the kidnapping of two Khairpur University employees from Khori village, the kidnapping of two people (Dr Wazir Gul and Ghous Bux Phul) from Setharja, the kidnapping of a young girl and a three-year-old baby from Kandkhot and a clash between rival Chandio and Dal tribes. She pointed out that Khairpur was not just her own constituency but also that of the chief minister.
Rafique Engineer suggested to the speaker that the member should move a resolution to discuss law and order, rather than issue a point of order.
Responding to the point of order, Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, overcome with emotion, conceded that four people had been kidnapped in Khairpur. But he also pointed out that kidnapping-for-ransom was not a crime ‘imported’ by the PPP government. He added that it was the result of the prevalence of a ‘Kalashnikov and heroin’ culture, which he said was imported during Gen Zia-ul-Haq’s rule.
He said that before this government’s tenure, there was no evidence of the writ of previous government. He added that in contrast to the past, there were now many television channels and therefore many incidents were highlighted.
The minister referred to the efforts made by the government and said four to five policemen had lost their lives in the line of duty in the ongoing action to track down the kidnappers in Khairpur.
He said that governments could no longer patronise certain tribal chiefs and allow them to turn ‘Katcha’ areas into no-go zones for dacoits to use as hideouts. He said the government had made these areas accessible by building roads and police operations were ongoing even in these so-called ‘Katcha’ areas.
He recalled that an anti-aircraft gun was recovered from the area of Golo Daro, which had remained a ‘no-go area’ for the last eight to 10 years. He said this was proof of the sincere efforts of the government, but instead of appreciation of these efforts, some people wanted to ridicule the government by mentioning a list of crimes.
The home minister said that if it came to lists of crimes, he could also present a long list of crimes committed during the last government’s tenure.
He said he did not deny the occurrence of crimes, but asked if they were only being committed in Sindh. “Are no crimes being committed in New York?” he asked, and said crime was taking place throughout the world.
Dr Mirza said that the government did not believe in political victimisation and patronising criminals. He issued an open challenge to members to prove any case in which he had made postings on the recommendations of any MPA, ministers or his relations or friends, noting that it was a “fundamental of our political culture to give postings of DSPs, SHOs and DPOs”.
He said that because he did not accept the recommendations of MPAs and friends, they had stopped visiting him. “I welcome criticism,” he said, “but it should be constructive and productive.”
Imran Zafar Leghari of the PPP drew the legislators’ attention towards a report published in the press on Feb 2 regarding the alleged abuse of a man by three women, where the police allegedly refused to register an FIR.
The home minister denied the claim that the police did not register the FIR, and referred to the FIR number (FIR 50/2009). He said the FIR was registered by one Khalil Ahmad. He added that action on the FIR would be initiated when a medical report was received.
Possible amendment to question hour
Through a point of order, Moeen Khan of the MQM drew the attention of the house towards including 40 questions in the order of the day. He said that hardly eight or 10 questions were answered during the question hour, and the rest had been left without discussion. He suggested that in the future, if any department received a large number of questions, only a reasonable number of questions be included in the order of the day.
Speaker of the house Nisar Khuhro (PPP) said the proposal was reasonable, but that he would check the rules and traditions before issuing a ruling in this regard.
Through another point of order, an MQM MPA who is the member of a minority drew the attention of the house towards the alleged open preparation and sale of liquor, particularly in Malir, Lines Area, Esa Nagri and North Nazimabad.
He said there was a report in the press on Feb 5 that three Christian youths had died after consuming liquor, and were silently buried by their families.
Demanding action against those involved in the preparation and sale of liquor, as well as against area police officials for patronising this crime, he said the sale of liquor was corrupting the morals of the youth, particularly among low-income families.
Two resolutions, one bill passed
Before adjourning the house till Monday at 1.20 pm, Speaker Khuhro, who called the session to order at 11.35 am (two hours behind the schedule), allowed Law Minister Ayaz Soomro to move two resolutions by relaxation of rules under 211 and dispensing with relevant provisions under 102, which were adopted unanimously.
One of the resolutions pertains to welcoming the United Nations’ decision to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the assassination of the late Benazir Bhutto, and express the hope that the commission yields expeditious results, allowing the perpetrators of “this catastrophic and heinous crime” to be brought to justice.
In the other resolution the house reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Kashmir, condemned the continued brutality meted out to them and urged the UN to act upon its resolutions aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue.
Bachal Shah (PPP) wanted to amend the resolution to include the Palestine issue, but could not muster enough support for the amendment when the chair pointed out that a resolution on the subject had already been adopted recently.
The house also adopted the Sindh Finance (Amendment) Bill, 2009 unanimously.
Before its adoption, the chief minister, in a brief speech, pointed out that this was an important bill aimed at enhancing the finances of the government. He said this tax is a nominal cess on the users of Sindh’s infrastructure.
He said after the initial enforcement of the tax, some parties went to court, from where a decision was given against the imposition of the charges. Later, the government appealed the decision in the Supreme Court.
He said that this amendment was aimed at facilitating the government.
Syed Sardar Ahmad of the MQM said that the government had received Rs12-13 billion from the cess. He said this bill was aimed at removing lacunae and rationalisation of the finance bill and as such should be passed.
The bill was passed into law unanimously after its third reading.
