KARACHI, Oct 18: The Sindh Assembly failed to take up any business in its session on Tuesday and the session was adjourned at 2 pm after the treasury benches did not agree to extend time.

The deliberations on admissibility of the privilege motion by Ms Sharf-un-Nisa Leghari remained inconclusive as Mr Mohammad Hussain, who was presiding over the session, put off the discussion for the next day as the time was consumed by Ms Leghari and law minister Iftikhar Chaudhry.

In her motion, Ms Leghari had stated that on her way to Lahore Airport in April, she was taken into custody by the police with her other colleagues. This action of the police, she said, was humiliating and violated her privilege, and was also against Article 15 of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of movement.

The law minister said it was not a recent occurrence as required under Rule 60(2) of the Rules of Business. Besides, she had not gone there to discharge any official business, but to accord welcome to a political leader, with her colleagues. As Section 144 was imposed, there was no breach of her privilege, he said.

Syed Murad Ali Shah of PPP, through a point of order, sought permission to introduce two bills pertaining to Sindh Disaster Management Plan and construction standards for buildings.

He said that he wanted to introduce these bills on Monday, but was asked to introduce them on private members day. Therefore, he may be allowed to introduce the bills.

He also wanted to discuss the violation of Sindh Building Regularization Bill 2002 by drawing the attention of the house towards a building which was demolished by a court order to the extent that it was not repairable but its irregularity was regularized.

The chairman gave the ruling that as the time of the sitting was over, it could only be deliberated if time was extended. The treasury benches opposed it and the House was adjourned for Wednesday.

After the question hour, Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui in his statement on the floor of the House said in Sindh no kidnappings were taking place because of religious affiliations. Most of the incidents reported pertained to financial transactions. He said all non-Muslims enjoy full freedom.

He again gave an assurance that if it was proved that excesses were committed against any minority member on the basis of religion, the person involved would not be given exemplary punishment.

The minister said an inquiry had revealed that Mohaish Kumarof of Omar Kot was not kidnapped, but he was in hiding as there was some business dispute between him and his partner. The minister hoped that the matter would be resolved in the next few days. As far as the case of Jhamandas, he said, efforts were being made for his safe recovery.

Regarding complaints of disappearance of Koshila of Ghotki, he said she after embracing Islam, had married Najam Bhatti in Bahawalpur and had refused to stay with her parents.

Earlier, responding to a point of order raised by Shama Mithani about demolition of houses for the Lyari Expressway, Senior Minister Sardar Ahmad said compensation was paid to the owners after assessment before initiating demolition action. He assured that no house would be demolished during Ramazan.

Ms Mithani had drawn the attention of the chair that people were being harassed in Ziaul Haq Colony and their houses were being demolished without any notice and payment of compensation.

The House was called to order by Speaker Muzaffar Shah around 11.25am as the treasury and opposition benches were vacant at 10 am.