MQM protests in NA against Karachi extortions

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a partner in the ruling coalition, on Friday threw a spanner into the works of its ally, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), by staging a protest in the National Assembly session against criminals in Karachi who they said were making life hell for businessmen through “rampant extortions”.
Despite assurances by PPP Chief Whip in National Assembly Khursheed Ahmed Shah of an “indiscriminate action” against extortionists, the MQM leaders did not stop and rather announced to boycott Saturday’s joint session of the parliament which is scheduled to be addressed by President Asif Ali Zardari. However, the MQM appeared to be in isolation, as the parliamentarians from the opposition and treasury benches stood together on the issue. Even members from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came to rescue the treasury benches against the MQM’s slogans for prompt action against extortionists.
Amidst uproar by MQM members, Khursheed Shah said the government shared the desire to expose the individuals involved in extortion. “We need to expose them, and show the nation their supporters as well. Support us, we shall take across the board action,” he said. He also agreed with the demand of opposition parties to make Karachi weapons-free, and award exemplary punishment to extortionists. He said the government had never supported extortion, and that it was ready to take action. “The Pakistani nation and the media know who is involved in extortion. If they (MQM) are sincere, let us move forward for an action. We can eliminate extortionists from Karachi,” Shah said.
The PPP leader further said that if MQM was serious on the issue, the House should constitute a committee with equal representation from both the opposition and treasury benches to prepare a roadmap for bringing normalcy to Karachi and expose the real faces of extortionists to bring them to book. “We support taking action against them. You should support us. Sit with the provincial administration, governor, chief minister and home minister to dig out who was actually ruining peace in Karachi,” he said, adding, “We are committed to keep peace in Karachi, but we need sincere support from all stakeholders.” After the MQM’s protest, the government and the opposition agreed to hold a joint probe and bring the criminals to book.
“We want to cleanse Karachi of extortionists. Please support us. This menace has made the masses insecure, and ruined peace in the port city,” said MQM MNA Waseem Ahmed while speaking on a point of order. The MQM, being a coalition partner in the government and enjoying ministries in the federal and Sindh cabinet, warned to disrupt the proceedings of the parliament’s joint sitting on Saturday if the government did not promise to take action against extortionists. Members of MQM started chanting slogans after the Question-Answer Hour and continued until the House was prorogued.
They were not even ready to listen to Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, who repeatedly asked them to maintain the House’s decorum.
The PPP chief whip remarked that he found it beyond understanding that the MQM was chanting slogans against a government of which they were a part.
PML-N MNA Sheikh Rohail Asghar demanded to constitute a House committee to probe and expose the parties involved in extortion, adding that the parties found involved in the practice should lose the right to politicking.
Khursheed Shah agreed with the proposal and requested the Chair to immediately form a committee with equal representation from treasury and opposition benches.
Awami National Party MNA Pervaiz Khan said that no party had the right to sabotage the House’s proceedings and alleged the MQM of using exploitative tactics. He condemned extortion, but added that the MQM could not make the people of Karachi hostage. “Every Pakistani has a right to live in Karachi. The party enjoying power in Sindh is also responsible for peace in Karachi,” he said. PPP MNA Noor Alam Khan said his party always hated extortionists and asked the MQM to name the extortionists instead of clamouring in the House. “We are here to resolve masses problems. Do not make this House a fish market,” he said.
PML-N’s Deputy Opposition Leader in the House Mahtab Khan Abbasi regretted the MQM’s attitude, saying that every party was against extortion. He reminded the PPP and its coalition partner MQM of their responsibilities, saying that it was time for action.
PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafiq also demanded action against extortionists, and complained that the government delayed decisions on maintenance of peace.
PML-Quaid’s Sheikh Waqas Akram justified MQM’s concern, but questioned against whom they were protesting as they were part of the government. He said the government and the MQM had a history of reconciliations. “If the MQM again reconciles with the government without ensuring action against extortionists, we shall think that their protest was just another move to get benefits from the government,” he said. Earlier, the deputy speaker announced the schedule of the president’s address to the joint session of the parliament, adding that the time of the speech had been changed.