KARACHI - The Sindh Assembly after witnessing exchange of allegations against each other by the MPAs of PPP and Opposition MQM on Wednesday passed a resolution unanimously, condemning the brutal act of terrorism of bomb blast at Abbas Town, which claimed 50 lives and 200 injured.
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After break of about one week, the session of Sindh was met at 11:42am with Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in the chair.
The lawmakers while asking for prayers for deceased souls condemned the deadly incident of terrorism of bomb blast at Abbas Town in Karachi as well as paid rich tribute to the PPP’s minister MPA who died on Tuesday’s morning because of heart attack. Later, during the speeches on the two resolutions tabled each by Dr Sikandar Mandhro of ruling PPP and MQM’s Dr Arshad Vohra, the House witnessed exchange of allegations between the two parties.
In the resolution, the lawmakers expressed deep grief over the sad incident and demanded the government to take stern action against the culprits. Before tabling the resolution, MQM parliamentary leader Sardar Ahmed who resumed the seat of leader of the opposition in the House, asked when all the intelligence agencies were aware of reports about such incidents of terrorism then why the preventives steps were not taken to arrest the terrorists.
Opposition leader of MQM alleged that his party chief has given three days deadline to take action against the terrorists but unfortunately government did not move in this regard.
He alleged that Sindh and federal governments are equally responsible for negligence of the incident. He continued that government has no care of the people. He announced to stage token walk out against the inability of the government for not arresting the culprits of the Abbas Town. Ruling PPP’s parliamentary leader and education minister Pir Mazharul Haq while responding to the remarks of the MQM leader said that MQM should not do politics on the dead bodies of the Abbas Town blast.
Pointing finger towards MQM, PPP leader said, “You will find more occasions for politics but you should not do politics on the blood of martyrs as what message you are giving to the relatives of the victims.”
Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah floated a suggestion of deferring the resolution till Thursday as today’s sitting was supposed to be adjourned in mourning of late PPP minister Rafique Engineer who passed away on Tuesday morning.
MQM’s another lawmaker Khawaja Izharul Hassan while responding to the remarks of the PPP’s senior minister said that politics was not a wrong thing. He further said that they were practically helping the victim families, adding that talking on inefficiency of the law-enforcement agencies is not politics.
He further said that the MQM was fighting with the terrorists on front line against the terrorists who assassinated Benazir Bhutto, MQM’s MPA Manzir Imam and others.
Later, MQM lawmakers led by opposition leader Sardar Ahmed staged token walk out in protest against the Abbas Town blasts and not arresting of the culprits by the government.
After walk-out of the MQM, PPP’s Pir Mazharul Haq said that it should be come on record that MQM lawmakers opposed the resolution tabled against the Abbas Town blast, adding that MQM played negative role on the first day of assuming the chair of opposition leader in Sindh Assembly. However, MQM lawmakers returned back in the House and took part in the proceedings. Speaker put the resolution in the House, which it passed unanimously.
Earlier, the House through passing a resolution unanimously paid rich tribute to late PPP’s minister MPA Rafique Engineer over his services in the House as well in the field of politics. The resolution, tabled by Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah, expressed deep grief over the demise of its revered member Rafique Engineer, an esteemed colleague who strongly believed in the principles required to achieve a just society.
Members in their speeches paying rich tribute to the late MPA Rafique engineer further said that he was brave and took active participation through his legal expertise. Rafique’s untiring struggle for democracy and exemplary passion to uphold democratic principles shall always be remembers, MPAs said, adding that Sindh has lost a valiant son.
Lawmakers suggested the Speaker to continue the education of the Muhammad Rafique’s children and financial support of his family as he was belonging to lower middle class.
Speaker said that Assembly will look into the suggestion, besides pictures of MPAs, who died in natural or unnatural death during five years, on the wall of the Assembly.
Later, Speaker urging the MPAs to ensure their attendance as ceremony of farewell photo session of current assembly members is arranged on Thursday (today).
Khuhro announced that keeping the tradition in view, the other proceedings of assembly is adjourned till Thursday in mourning of the sitting MPA Rafique engineer’s demise.
