KARACHI: Amid a noisy protest by three members of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution against PTI chairman Imran Khan terming his attitude “irresponsible and non-political”.

The resolution, which was tabled by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Sorath Thebo, was supported by members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. However, lawmakers belonging to the PML-Functional and ruling PPP did not take part in the voice vote.

The resolution reads: “This august house condemns the irresponsible, non-political and misguiding attitude/behaviour of Imran Khan, as he is continuously misguiding the nation since last so many years.”

Earlier, the discussion on the resolution brought PTI and MQM lawmakers face to face on Tuesday, which was the private members’ day.

The ruling PPP and opposition PML-F stay neutral

The situation flared up when, speaking on the resolution, Dr Zafar Kamali of the MQM said the leader against whom the resolution was about ought not to use inappropriate language about others. “This leader hurls threats in public meetings; if this is the attitude of the leader what would be attitude of his party workers,” he asked without naming the PTI chairman.

He went on to say that those talking about Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution should tell whether “this person” meet the requirement of the said articles. Referring to Sita White scandal, Dr Kamali said: “I feel ashamed talking about this matter but one could not stop mentioning this.”

He also mentioned Mr Khan’s alleged inappropriate remarks about generals of the Pakistan Army and the attack on PTV during the 2014 Islamabad sit-in.

PTI lawmakers — Samar Ali Khan, Khurram Sherzaman and Dr Seema Zia — stood on their seats and lodged a severe protest on Dr Kamal’s remarks. Some members from the MQM also reacted to the PTI protest and lawmakers belonging to the two parties exchanged extremely bitter remarks.

However, Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Khwaja Izharul Hasan and Faisal Sabzwari managed to calm down MQM lawmakers.

Mr Sabzwari said that it was another issue to support or oppose the resolution but it was not the policy of the MQM to make personal attack on anyone. “We take back the remarks passed by our member.”

Opposing the resolution, PTI’s Samar Ali Khan said no one should make personal attacks.

While looking at Dr Kamali, Mr Khan warned that his party could also say many things and if anyone launched personal attack then that person should be prepared to face the music.

This once again flared up the situation as an emotional Dr Kamali strongly reacted to these remarks.

However, Khawaja Izhar intervened and said: “We are here to solve problems ... if we behave like this the issue would never be solved. We don’t want to take this fight to streets. We have [had] a harsh experience in the past,” he said, maintaining that no one could afford a fight as it was neither in the interest of the city nor in the interest of the province.

Senior Minister Nisar Khuhro said if talking about personal character of a leader is unparliamentary, then terming someone corrupt and shameless was also unparliamentary.

“Definitely, we are also sorry over the attitude of Imran Khan,” he said.

Mr Khuhro reminded Mr Khan that his leader had supported a military dictator in his referendum. However, he said he would not support the resolution and remain neutral.

Speaking in support of her resolution after it was opposed by Mr Khuhro, Ms Thebo said a so-called leader was in the habit of making false statements about others.

She said that he hurled allegations on different occasions and behaved like a “stubborn child”. He had alleged that he was offered Rs 10 billion for not pursuing the Panama Papers case, but when he was asked to furnish evidence he refused to give any proof. “You have to tell the truth to the nation instead of concocting new lies daily to attract media; that is why now he is known as U-turn Khan.”

Khurram Sherzaman of the PTI opposed the resolution and said if raising voice against corruption was an irresponsible attitude then Imran Khan would continue to repeat this attitude.

He said now even the judges had said that the prime minister was no longer ameen and sadiq.

Meanwhile, three resolutions were also adopted unanimously on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2017