Rumpus as barbs fly between Pir Mazhar, Marvi Rashdi

The sixth consecutive day of Sindh Assembly’s general discussion on budget 2011-12 was marred by an exchange of harsh words over Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq’s remarks against a female MPA belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional.
Smooth proceedings turned into chaos on Saturday when Pir Mazhar lost his temper after being criticised by PML-F’s Marvi Rashdi for watching a movie on his personal computer during house proceedings. “I am regretted to see children sitting in the house, who do not have the manners of talking,” said the minister.
Earlier during her budget speech, Rashdi had said that a television channel had run footage showing Pir Mazhar watching dance clips of a movie on iPad during assembly proceedings. “It was shameful and I condemn it,” she remarked.
Pir Mazhar was not present in the house when Rashdi made the remarks. However, he soon arrived in the house and sought the speaker’s permission to speak on a point of personal explanation. He went to say: “What is that person called who backbites? And what is the punishment for him in Shariah?”
Soon the house witnessed uproar as the PML-F members strongly protested Pir Mazhar’s remarks.
Opposition leader Jam Madad Ali made clear that the education minister had no right to call a member ill-mannered, adding that he should have clarified his position on the video instead of insulting a respected house member.
The pandemonium in the house forced Speaker Nisar Khuhro to adjourn the proceedings until Monday, as lawmakers from both sides, especially women, indulged in exchange of harsh words against each other.
BUDGET DISCUSSION: Terming the budget 2011-12 ‘sugar-coated’, Marvi Rashdi complained that government has withdrawn from its right of collecting sales tax on four to five sectors including banking, insurance and stock exchange. “The government should have given special packages for under-developed districts like Umerkot and Tharparkar, instead of Karachi and Hyderabad which are already developed areas.
Talking about government department’s performance, she went on to say that the Anti-Corruption Department appears even more corrupt; health department very ill; and the education department more illiterate.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) reiterated with their demand of imposing agricultural income tax, while the members from PPP, PML-Q, and PML-F opposed the demand, saying that growers are already paying different taxes related to the agriculture sector.
MQM’s Abdul Moeed Siddiqui said the government has imposed income tax on people earning Rs 350,000 and the same formula should be adopted on agricultural income. He added that the government is not paying any attention towards alternative energy sources despite the ongoing electricity crisis. He also said that Rs 31 billion have been allocated for Sindh Police but targeted killings in Karachi are continuing.
PML-Q’s Muhammad Ali Malkani said a wrong impression has been created that the agriculture sector earns a lot as prices of fuel, urea, seed and labour have increased but growers are forced to sale crops at old rates.
“The agriculture sector is the only sector with no facility for insurance. Shortage of irrigation water is another problem being faced by growers. And if a limit for holding agricultural land is set, then it should also be set on owning industries,” he said.
Some MPAs also supported a demand made earlier by their colleagues regarding reinstating Dr Zulfiqar Mirza as home minister. Some others opposed a proposal being considered by the federal government about releasing Sindh water to Islamabad.
PPP’s Abdul Karim Soomro said that Mirza had maintained the law and order situation in the province and should return to take back his charge.
Sindh Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Makhdoom Jamiluzzaman said the province would not allow provision of water from its share to Islamabad because the province was already facing shortage of water. “The Council of Common Interests (CCI) will have to withdraw its proposal,” he said. He added that Sindhi should be given the status of a national language.