PPP, MQM make up without depy speaker having to hold her ears

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmakers tried to mend ties during the Sindh Assembly session on Monday after the two coalition partners’ relationship was strained by the latter’s rumpus during the session on Saturday.
Besides, the majority of the PPP-dominated House again vetoed the leave application of Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, former chief minister and the self-exiled leader of the PML-Likeminded, a forward block of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid.
Also witnessed during the session was a brief but heated argument between Information Minister Raza Haroon and Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza with the MQM legislator making the chair accountable for her off-session media outburst against his party.
On a point of order, Youth Affairs Minister Faisal Subzwari, also MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly, apologised to National People’s Party lawmaker Arif Mustafa Jatoi for his manhandling at the hands of MQM legislators on Saturday. Jatoi was almost roughed up and his mike was broken during that session.
The provincial youth minister said President Zardari, in a telephonic conversation with his party leader Altaf Hussain, has assured stern action against extortionists.
“The MQM showed solidarity with the city’s traders on March 16 against the increasing incidents of street crimes and extortion with its legislators lodging their protest in and outside the house,” said Subzwari.
He, however, clarified what happened to Jatoi was not intentional. “Though we had called up Mr Jatoi and apologised the same day, I, again seek his apology,” the MQM leader added.
Masroor Jatoi of NPP accepted the apology. “All political parties, including the MQM, are against extortionists and reserve the right to protest,” he added.
MQM’s Raza Haroon flayed the deputy speaker for her media criticism of his party. “The acting speaker condemned the MQM on television,” he said. “She can condemn a member but not a political party. This is not tolerable.”
The deputy speaker was put on the defensive when Raza found support from PPP’s parliamentary leader Pir Mazharul Haq, who said the acting speaker must refrain from behaving in this manner.
“I have apologised. Now do you want me to hold my ears?” said a visibly enraged deputy speaker, who adjourned the House until Tuesday (today).