KHAIRPUR: Sindh Asse­mbly Speaker Agha Siraj Khan Durrani has noted that indiscipline has plagued the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) due to the ongoing power struggle within its ranks.

Speaking to local reporters during his visit to the family of Advocate Imran Pathan in Bachal Shah Mohalla here on Tuesday to condole the death of his mother, Mr Durrani said “today’s Muttahida is not as organised a party as it used to be over the last 30 years”. But, he added, what was going on within that party was its internal matter.

He observed that groupings had divided Muttahida into several factions and each of the groups was portraying itself as the strongest one with massive support.

The PA speaker, one of the most senior stalwarts of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), also observed that the people of Karachi had heaved a sigh of relief [due to restoration of peace through the Rangers-led operation in the city] and were “feeling free” after 30 years.

Mr Durrani expressed his confidence that the next general elections would bring more relief.

Commenting on other issues, he said [absconding Malir SP] Rao Anwar was facing a trial in an alleged fake encounter case and no one belonging to the PPP knew about his whereabouts.

All allegations against the party in this regard were mere propaganda, he said.

Mr Durrani recalled that the Sindh government had taken a stand against him from the very first day by making it crystal clear that Rao would have to face the consequences if he was found guilty of killing any innocent person.

He expressed his satisfaction over the ongoing democratic process in the country, and said that the preparations for the Senate election were under way while the incumbent political dispensation was heading for the completion of its constitutional tenure.

An interim government would be put in place after May 28 to hold the general elections within the next 90 days, he added.

Answering a question, the Sindh Assembly speaker described the judiciary as a strong institution.

It’s very clear from the actions of [ousted prime minister] Nawaz Sharif that he was pursuing a dual policy with both parts contradicting each other.

Mr Sharif and his party should uphold democratic values and respect institutions, he said, pointing out that many PPP leaders including the top brass — Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari — faced trials and suffered imprisonment but the party did not take any step that could cause harm to institutions or democracy.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2018