KARACHI, Nov 7: The Sindh Assembly, which on Friday paid rich tributes to the late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan for his fearless struggle for democratic dispensation, could not take up any scheduled business amid opposition’s not very convincing uproar over certain remarks by the Speaker, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah.

When the session commenced more than an hour late, leader of the opposition Nisar Khuhro, after recitation from the holy Quran, moved an adjournment motion for paying homage to the late Nawabzada. Mr Khuhro’s move was also endorsed by the treasury benches and Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah allowed five members from each side to speak.

Those who spoke on the motion were Nisar Khuhro, Law Minister Chaudhary Iftekhar, Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Mahreen Bhutto, Arbab Ghulam Raheem, Makhdoom Jamiluz Zaman, Dr Hameeda Khuhro, Maulana Umer Sadiq and Qamar Mansoor Alam.

Taking the floor first, Mr Khuhro recounted the struggle for which Nawabzada Nasrullah was concerned even when he was struggling with his life and was about to breath his last.

He said that Nawabzada was a man of principles and had the courage not only to confront the tyrant but also to accept his mistakes.

He said that Nawabzada never compromised on principles and till his last breath remained steadfast in his opposition to allowing a dictator to impose his will on the people and make a mockery of the Constitution.

He said that it was only Nawabzada who had the ability to bring divergent views on one platform and organize a common struggle for democracy, for the rights of common man and for the supremacy of the parliament and Constitution.

He paid rich tributes to Nawabzada for steering the ARD and opposition parties out of difficult situations.

Chaudhary Iftekhar recalled Nawabzada’s role in the Pakistan Movement and paid tribute to him for initiating the PNA movement against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s rule.

PPP Parliamentarian’s Dr Mehreen Bhutto pledged to carry on the mission of Nawabzada for the cause of democracy and constitutional rights of the people.

Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said that Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan had given a tremendous personal sacrifice for upholding the cause of freedom, democracy and supremacy of the parliament and Constitution. He always played the role of a strong opposition leader and his demise had created a great void.

Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman of the PPP said that the Nawabzada was not only a towering icon of democratic struggle but also a poet who not only touched romanticism but also common man’s problems in his poetry.

Dr Hamid Khuhro called the Nawabzada ‘a daring guerrilla of democratic movements’. Only he had the ability to bring rivals together on the same platform. His death is a great loss because such a principled and courageous leader is rarely born, she said.

Parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Maulana Umar Sadiq also paid rich tributes to the Nawabzada for raising his voice in support of democracy and fundamental rights of the people not only within the country but also at international level.

He called the Nawabzada ‘a symbol of democracy and unity’ who, he said, struggled for whole of his life for the supremacy of Constitution and cause of people.

Qamar Mansoor of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement said that Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan was an international personality and his struggle for democracy would always be remembered by the people. He eulogized the leader’s art of persuasion and dialogue.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah of the PPP described Nawabzada as ‘a great patriot’ who always struggled against dictatorship. He was a great freedom fighter who vigorously advocated the cause of people of the occupied Kashmir as Chairman of Kashmir Committee, Mr Shah said, and added that he was so committed to the cause of democracy that he even got his surgery postponed to attend an ARD meeting. He said the demise of the Nawabzada had created a great void which would be very difficult to fill.

Syed Sardar Ahmad paid glowing tributes to the courageous stand taken by the Nawabzada against oppressive forces and said that when MQM was being targeted, it was the Nawabzada who came down to Karachi and announced support to the movement at a public meeting. He was also a great supporter of the Kashmiris and their right to self-determination, the minister remarked.

The House unanimously adopted a motion jointly moved by Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and Law Chaudhary Iftekhar Hussain.

UPROAR: As soon as the 10 speakers concluded their tributes, the House witnessed a sudden uproar from the opposition when Ghulam Qadir Chandio of the PPP stood up on a point of order and expressed resentment over the registration of, what he alleged, false FIRs against PPP leaders during the election of Naib Nazim in Dadu.

He said that cases were registered against Nisar Khuhro, Syed Murad Ali Shah and Rafiq Jamali whereas MPA Anwar Mahar’s house was raided. He wanted this matter to be discussed in the House out of turn.

The same issue was also raised by PPP’s Ms Sharfunnisa Leghari. She accused the DPO of Dadu of committing excesses against PPP councillors during the recent local bodies elections. She also criticized the government for not taking notice of kidnappings by certain officials. She alleged that during raids on councillors’ houses, some women suffered miscarriage owing to fear and excesses.

Ms Nuzhat Pathan wanted the Minister for Zakat, Ushr and Auqaf, Dr Irfan Gul Magsi, to inform the House about what had been done with regard to the opening of Jumman Shah’s Mazar.

As soon as Mr Magsi stood up to reply, opposition members started making noise. Ghulam Qadir Chandio raised objection and asked why was not his point of order being replied. As he started speaking loudly, some other members also joined him in the uproar.

Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah tried to restore order and even warned them that he would adjourn the session if they did not desist from making noise. The Speaker remarked: “It is not Nawabshah’s narrow street, but an august House... you (Mr Chandio and others) should not act in such a manner.” The remarks sparked off a strong protest by Mr Chandio and other members who retorted: “Nawabshah is the town of brave people... it is the town of Asif Zardari who has been languishing in jail for seven years.”

As the opposition kept on raising slogans, the Speaker adjourned proceedings until Monday. Later the opposition members gathered at the steps of the Sindh Assembly building and kept raising slogans for the release of Asif Zardari and Makhdoom Javed Hashmi.