The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members in the Sindh Assembly (SA) staged a walkout on Friday to protest the killing of their party activists in Malir and Landhi.
The MQM leaders considered it a conspiracy to sabotage the fresh political arrangement between the government and the MQM.
“It should be seen if it’s a conspiracy against the political arrangement witnessed in the shape of Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan’s return and President Asif Ali Zardari’s contact with MQM chief Altaf Hussain,” said MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari before staging the walkout.
Sabzwari said that over 10 people were killed in armed attacks by terrorists, but the police did not take any action against the criminals involved.
“Who are these people who want to sabotage the efforts taken by Interior Minister Rehman Malik? Who are conspiring against democracy? Who are supporting these criminals?” he asked the SA members. Speaking on the point of order, MQM Member Provincial Assembly/former environment minister Sheikh Muhammad Afzal said that criminals associated with the Lyari gang war had attacked the MQM activists in Malir and Landhi.
Afzal termed it a conspiracy against the MQM and an attempt to take control of the areas dominated by the party. “It is an attempt to rob the mandate of the MQM,” he added.
Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan informed the House that he had taken notice of the incidents and had issued necessary directives to the police and Rangers for taking action.
Wasan said that he is currently facing a changed scenario because the coalition parties have not remained the same.
He said that he would need cooperation of all the political parties for maintaining peace in the metropolis. The overall law and order situation has improved since he has taken charge of the Home Department, he added.
He also said that the law and order issue of the city is not a new one because the situation has been the same since 1986; therefore, it would take time to improve.
He referred to the presence of the people belonging to different parts of the country in the city as one of the problems.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader/Senior Sindh Education and Literacy Minister Pir Mazharul Haq termed the MQM’s walkout against democratic norms.
Haq said that the MQM should have accepted Wasan’s assurance as regards the government’s steps for maintaining law and order. No government would want disturbance in its jurisdiction, he added.
This was the second walkout staged by the MQM lawmakers during the proceedings of the current SA session.
The MQM had also staged a walkout when SA Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro had informed the House about the governor’s assent to the three bills that the Assembly had passed on July 13.
These bills included restoration of the commissionerate system and abolishing the Police Order of 2002. The MQM members had chanted slogans against the bills, whereas the PPP members had warmly welcomed Khuhro’s announcement.
Later, MQM’s Raza Haroon told journalists outside the House that some government ministers are patronising terrorists in the city.
