Performance of the provincial government of Sindh came under fire as Sindh Assembly discussed the tragic incident of Safoora Chowrangi bus firing. The opposition members heavily criticised Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who also holds the portfolio of home department, while the treasury members defended the government.
The assembly members speaking on a joint resolution against the Safoora tragedy made fiery speeches on the issue.
The leader of the opposition Khawaja Izharul Hassan said the government ministers in their speeches were either requesting for Dua for the victims, or making lame excuses for their failure. He said no minister had spoken a single word on the performance of the provincial government. He said a few week later when the budget would be presented the chief minister and other speakers would deliver lofty and lengthy speeches but they often shy away from giving policy statements on the tragedies like Safoora Chowrangi bus firing case. He said the Sindh government was afraid of posting honest police officers in Sindh because it knew that these honest officers would not obey their ‘every order’.
However, Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon said mostly CSS passed police officers were posted in Sindh and they were competent and honest officers. He defended the performance of his government saying like other provinces Sindh was also facing challenge of terrorism.
Sardar Ahmed of the MQM said the Sindh government was taking actions on ad-hoc basis and it should take steps on permanent basis to wipe out terrorism from the province. He demanded police reforms and raising moral of cops. He said community policing would greatly help in improving law and order.
Muhammad Hussain Khan of the MQM said billions of the rupees were being spent on law and order but the result was before them. He asked to ensure participation of masses in community policing.
Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar of PML-F said they did not see any praiseworthy role of Sindh government in improving law and order. He said the government’s policies were wrong. Giving an example, he said when the treasury members in recent past had passed emergency procurement bill for police equipment from this assembly, they had bitterly opposed but their voice was not heard. Later, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared that bill null and void and the Sindh government tendered apology in the apex court. He said 126 police mobile vans were giving security to the VIPs which were even not entitled to this security as it was just nepotism and bad governance.
