NEW DELHI: The lobbies were critical of the refusal of the Assembly to permit Seth Yusuf Haroon to move his adjournment motion relating to Pir Pagaro [March 20].

As was explained by Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, it was “not playing cricket” to sabotage discussions by merely objecting to the motion as was done by the War Secretary.

The War Secretary did not advance any reasons for his attitude. The Chair was left with no alternative but acting within the standing orders and rules of the Assembly had to ask the supporters of the motion to stand in their seats. The standing orders prescribe that a minimum of 25 members must support an adjournment motion before it could be permitted.

In a thin House as the Assembly is at present this number obviously was not forthcoming. The issues raised related more to equity and justness. It was, however, viewed from a communal angle by the members of the Nationalist Party who did not support the motion. Mr. N.M. Joshi was the only Hindu who stood up in his seat.

The Muslim members are greatly perturbed over the attitude of the Government. — Dawn Delhi

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2018