KARACHI, Aug 31: Opposition members in the City Council have expressed their resentment over the postponement of the Thursday session of the council, and termed the action ‘a sheer violation of the rules of conduct’.

They argued that the session was of great importance in view of the serious situation prevailing over the country after the ‘brutal murder’ of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Saeed Ghani (Awam Dost), Rafiq Ahmed ( Al-Khidmat), Dr Ziauddin (Khidmatgar) and Abdul Razaq Sangani (Al-Khadim), said that they wanted to move a resolution condemning the ongoing military operation in Balochistan and demanding its immediate halt, besides paying tributes to the Baloch nationalist leader.

They pointed out that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had condemned the military operation in Balochistan and had even threatened to quit the government if it was not stopped. However, they added, the treasury members in the council were avoiding a debate on the issue. “They are in a fix as they can neither oppose the resolution nor support it,” the opposition members said.

They said that the opposition also wanted to take up the widespread devastation and heavy losses during the recent monsoon rains. Blaming the losses and miseries suffered by people on city nazim, they said that the treasury side got the council session postponed as the opposition was to expose the city nazim’s tall claims and performance of the city district government.

They argued that the session for which request was made by 83 members could not be postponed on one-day notice but could be adjourned by the presiding office for a valid reason.

The opposition members said that the ban on teachers’ associations was yet another issue they wanted to take up during the session.

They told journalists that the killing of JWP Chief Nawab Bugti was a severe blow to the integrity of the country. They demanded an immediate halt to the military operations in Balochistan and Waziristan, and called for a judicial inquiry by a Supreme Court judge into the causes leading to the death of Nawab Bugti and his companions. They further demanded release of all those detained in connection with the Balochistan and NWFP operations.

A large number of opposition councilors, including UC nazims, Mehrunnisa Baloch, Rukhsana Faisal and other women members, were present at the press conference.