KARACHI, Sept 1: The opposition benches in the Sindh Assembly on Monday succeeded in tabling their two adjournment motions for which the main opposition party, PPP, had requisitioned the session.

Through one of the motions, they sought to discuss the failure of the provincial government in pursuing the two earlier resolutions adopted unanimously by the House against the construction of Greater Thal Canal.

The other one pertained to the people’s sufferings in the wake of recent devastating rains and, what it claimed, the inadequate measures taken by the government to provide relief to the people.

However, a consideration of the admissibility and discussion on both the motions was put off till Tuesday, with the consent of the treasury benches, by the Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah before he adjourned the session for the day at 1.30pm to meet again on Tuesday at 9.30am.

Four adjournment motions submitted by leader of the opposition Nisar Ahmad Khuhro could not be taken up as he was not present in the House. Syed Qaim Ali Shah tried to move the motions but the chair didn’t allow him to do so.

Qaim Ali Shah made mention of the two earlier resolutions adopted unanimously by the House on the Greater Thal Canal, and recalled that one of them had been moved by the treasury benches. He emphasized on the urgency of a debate on the GTC issue.

The law minister opposed taking up of the motion out of turn arguing that had there been any urgency, Mr Khuhro would have been in the House.

Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmad, whose opinion was sought by the chair, also described the issue as ‘very important’ and said that a consideration of its admissibility and discussion should be discussed in tomorrow’s proceedings in the presence of Mr Khuhro.

Following the break for Zuhr prayers, the proceedings resumed at 1.15pm and the members from treasury and opposition benches agreed to put off a decision on GTC debate till tomorrow.

Three other motions, moved by Dr Sikander Mandro, Rafique Engineer and Humera Alwani, on the devastation by recent rains in the province were also put off till Tuesday.

As usual, the House started its proceedings late by one hour on Monday. The first man to speak on a point of order was Syed Qaim Ali Shah who drew the attention of the House to the reported remarks, attributed to President Musharraf, without naming him, but quoting him as saying that Sindhis were incompetent.

He strongly condemned the remarks and regretted that Sindhis, after being deprived of food and water, were now being subjected to insults and abuses. The chair ruled the move out of order.

Qari Hameedullah of the MMA raised the issue of patronage by police of drug dens and mini-cinema houses in Orangi Town, Mominabad, Manghopir and other areas of his constituency.

In the question hour supplementary questions were asked by Syed Irfan Ali, Sultan Khuhawar, Farheen Ambreen, Abdul Quddous, Rafique Engineer and Jam Tamachi. The planning minister replied to them on behalf of the chief minister.

There was a repeat of a rumpus when Deputy Speaker Rahila Tiwana tried to preside over the proceedings at about 11am. The opposition raised slogans of ‘Go Rahila go’.

After 15 minutes of the uproar, Ms Tiwana adjourned the proceedings for 30 minutes. Later Syed Qaim Ali Shah told the Speaker that the opposition had reservations over the legitimacy of Ms Tiwana’s position as deputy speaker.