KARACHI – The Muttahida Qaumi Movement staged a token walkout from the Sindh Assembly on Thursday, protesting against the growing incidents of targeted and extortion killing in the metropolis.Condemning the scourge of violence, Minister for Youth Development Faisal Subzwari, who is also MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader, said, “It appeared that the country’s financial hub is being targeted under a pre-meditated conspiracy.” Speaking on a point of order, after the recitation(s) from the holy Quran at the commencement of the session, Subzwari held that the murder of the brother of a former MQM parliamentarian was not an “isolated” example of extortion killing, recalling that sometime back, a similar mayhem in Shershah area claimed the lives of 14 traders.He said it was third occasion this year “the trading community had to go on a strike calling for an effective action against criminals and saboteurs”, as the government could not carry through it assurances. The MQM, added the minister, always supported the government, but it wanted to see visible changes on the pulic secuirty front, for which the coalition partner would continue its protest through democratic means.Subzwari was surprised that despite putting up police checkposts in Shershah this week’s attack took place, with a checkpoint ten steps far from the crime site. “Traders are being pushed against the wall.” Concerned over the depressing police inaction, the MQM leader went on to say, “We allocate millions for the police. (But) we want results (as well).” Nevertheless, the MQM’s walkout was symbolic and lasted for a short while. Following the question-hour session, general discussion on the budget started.Congratulating Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Finance Minister Murad Shah for presenting a “poor-friendly” budget, PPP’s Haji Anwar Khan Mehar said the ruling party’s government provided jobs to one hundred thousand (0.1 million) people during the first four years of its five-year term. “This year, 20,000 more employment opportunities would be provided.”He said that despite the energy shortfall, funds had been allocated in the budget for gasification and electrification of more villages in the province. He also praised the budgetary allocations for education and health. Taking part in the discussion, MQM’s Syed Khalid Ahmed lauded the chief minister for allocating funds for a medical college and burns centre in his constituency. He also thanked the irrigation minister for grating approval to 500-cusec water for the K-IV water scheme. He, however, said that Rs2 billion should have been earmarked for the project instead of a sum of Rs1 billion.Coming down hard on the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), the MQM member alleged that the power utility had become a mafia. “It is carrying out electricity cuts of up to 16 hours in this sweltering June (merely) to cover its losses. He said the federal government was giving Rs50 billion subsidy to the KESC, but it failed to provide relief to the people.Khalid Ahmed also said that despite the allocation of huge funds for law and order, the law-enforcement agencies had failed to discharge their duties and the situation was deteriorating with each passing day.PPP lawmaker Haji Munawwar Ali Abbasi, while praising the chief minister for presenting a “tax-free” budget and allocating of big chunk for development, said a number of general problems in the province would be resolved. He appreciated the Excise and Taxation Department for making recoveries beyond its projected target, saying that other departments should follow into its footsteps.He also thanked the government for the Larkana package and hoped that incomplete roads would be completed.PPP members Ghulam Mujadid Isran, Kulsoom Chandio and Shamim Ara Panhware, MQM members Muhammad Adil Khan and Muzammil Qureshi and others congratulated the chief minister and finance minister for presenting a balanced budget.The House, which was called to order by Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, offered fateha for Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan. After completion of the agenda, the House was adjourned till Friday.

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