QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution on Saturday calling upon the federal government to ban what it called a fascist organisation in the wake of remarks “against the army” and “integrity of the country” by its chief.

Although the resolution did not name any party, the legislators, in their speeches before adoption of the resolution, spoke out against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement over the remarks against the army and “integrity of the country” in a speech delivered by its supremo, Altaf Hussain, on Thursday.

The lawmakers accused the MQM of promoting terrorism and violence and making the lives of people of Karachi miserable. They called it a “fascist organisation” and claimed that there were proofs of its involvement in “anti-people activities”.

Shahida Rauf of the JUI-F, on a point of order, invited the attention of the house to the issue and urged the federal government to take action against Altaf Hussain.

Members from both treasury and opposition benches said the speech of Altaf Hussain came under the purview of Article 6 because the Constitution did not allow anybody to criticise the army. They believed the MQM chief’s speech was an attempt to divide the nation.

They criticised private television channels and newspapers for giving “extraordinary coverage” to the Muttahida and Altaf Hussain, while ignoring other political leaders and parties.

The lawmakers accused former dictator Gen Ziaul Haq of creating the MQM to counter agitation launched by the Movement for Restoration of Democracy and to undermine PPP in Sindh in 1986.

They said former army chief Gen Aslam Beg had confirmed in a television talk show that the MQM was the brainchild of Gen Zia and another former army chief, Gen Pervez Musharraf, fully backed the MQM’s actions against political parties to strengthen his rule.

Rehmat Baloch (NP), Jaffar Khan Mandokhel (PML-Q), Rahila Durrani (PML-N), Abdur Rehman Khetran (JUI-F), Syed Liaquat Agha (PkMAP) and Zamarak Khan Achakzai (ANP) signed the resolution tabled by Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch told the house that his government’s priority was to utilise development funds at a proper time and said that if some members had a problem with the Planning and Development Department the issue would be resolved in the next meeting of the cabinet to be held in a few days.

Some members pointed out that they faced problems in getting funds released by the P&D department and said surrender of funds because of their non-utilisation would affect completion of development schemes.

Deputy Speaker Mir Quddus Bizenjo, who presided over the session, adjourned it till Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2015

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