KARACHI, Sept 4: A group of opposition MPAs, raising the question of excavation in certain parts of Malir for lifting sand, staged a sit-in on the steps of the Assembly building on Thursday. They were protesting against the continued excavation.

Abdullah Murad of the PPP Parliamentarians, on a point of order, drew the attention of the House to the indifferent attitude of the concerned authorities on the subject and declared that he was beginning fast-unto-death on the steps of the Assembly building.

Mr Murad was joined-in the fast by Nasrullah Shaji of the MMA, Yunus Barai, Sajid Jokhio, Mohammad Rafiq and Salim Hingoro who assembled on the protest spot.

However, on the intervention by Syed Sardar Ahmad, Irfan Gul Magsi, Dr Saeeda Malik and Nisar Khuhro, they called off the hunger strike.

On a point of order Mohajir Qaumi Movement’s Yunus Khan contended that there was no need for a debate on law and order which, he claimed, could be improved if Muttahida Qaumi Movement sorted out its internal problems.

Expressing concern over the prevailing law and order situation, Syed Sardar Ahmad informed the House that the government was very much concerned and had mobilized all resources to apprehend the culprits. He claimed that just when the situation started improving, some vested interest sabotaged the process and plunged the city into chaos.

The Sindh Assembly is likely to discuss law and order situation on Monday.