SUKKUR, April 1: A resolution, demanding withdrawal of cases against Benazir Bhutto, her return to Pakistan and not to arrest her on her return, was passed with majority of votes after a heated debate in the District Council Session on Monday.

The session was chaired by the Naib Nazim, District Council, Iqbal Dawood Pakwala.

Out of 66 assembly members, 48 attended the session.

Six members, including four Nazims and two councilors, opposed the resolution.

Ayub Farooqi, Abdul Rehman, Karim Maher, Shafi Mohammad Shah, Hanif Memon and councilor Shaheen Islam, while opposing the resolution, said that the District Council was a nonpolitical body and they had taken oath that this would not be used as a political platform.

They said that the resolution was politically motivated and the Zila Council had nothing to do with it.

Mr Farooqi charged that some hidden hands were running the affairs of the District Council and added that it was used as a political platform, which was against the spirit of the constitution of the council.

On this occasion slogans of shame, were shouted against the opposers and Nazim Ghulam Mohammad Mako and Yousuf Jagirani insisted for counting of votes on the resolution, which was allowed by the Naib Nazim.

Later, Mr Farooqi tabled another resolution about the return of Altaf Hussain and Nawaz Sharif but majority of the members did not favour the resolution.

The council also discussed the matter of Abdul Karim Maher, Nazim of Pano Aqil, who used unparliamentary language against Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and passed a resolution against the suspension of his membership from the council.

Mr Pakwala, convenor of the council, intervened into the matter and said that the council had no power to suspend the membership of any Nazim but the resolution passed against him would be sent to the Sindh government for its legal opinion.

Later, he asked the officials recording the minutes, to expunge the remarks against the judiciary and courts, which were made by Mr Farooqi.