The Sindh Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution against the division of the province of Sindh amid ruckus by the opposition members.
The resolution was presented by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MPA Suhail Anwar. The Sindh Assembly witnessed a tumultuous session after leader of opposition Shaheryar Mahr protested against the allocation of seats in the new assembly hall.
The angry members from both sides of the benches exchanged expletive-laden language. Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza failed to restore order as some members stood on their seats objecting that the opposition had not been allotted seats. Sheheryar Mehr demanded that he should be formally allotted seats in the new assembly hall. The deputy speaker affirmed that seats had not been allocated yet, adding it was the arbitrary power of the speaker.
A heated dispute broke out between Shahryar Mahr and Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon after the latter argued that the opposition should demonstrate patience. The opposition reacted by plopping down on the floor near the speaker’s podium. The chaos and dispute continued throughout the assembly session.
The opposition leader was not granted permission to pass a resolution against the partition of Sindh in the assembly which was followed by a heated debate. The opposition raised slogans against division of provinces into administrative units by chanting “marsoon marsoon Sindh na desoon” (We will die but will not let go Sindh).
Ultimately, the opposition in the Sindh Assembly staged a walkout.
After the walkout, the PPP MPA Sohail Anwar passed a resolution against the division of Sindh which was approved by the assembly members. A bill was also passed in the assembly for protection of the rights of consumers and for providing health facilities to patients. The bill for the rights of consumers was postponed after the argument by minister for parliamentary affairs. The session was adjourned today (Friday).
The demand for division of provinces into more administrative units in the country was initially proposed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). However, the opposition parties condemned the demand. The MQM leaders were not present in the session of the assembly as they had boycotted it in protest against the arrest of their workers.