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PPP, MQM legislators exchange barbs

By Imtiaz Ali

Karachi

The general discussion on the Sindh budget 2009-10 in the provincial assembly on Monday evening took an unforeseen turn when bitter words were changed between the legislators of the Pakistan Peopples’ Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over certain observations.

This situation arose when PPP legislator Nadeem Bhutto, reading out from his written speech already submitted before the Speaker, ostensibly criticised the MQM and the local government (LG) system, which, according to him, had triggered a “war” between the provincial and the district governments.

After Bhutto’s speech, the MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader Faisal Subzwari said that the words uttered by Bhutto did not reflect the reconciliation policy adopted by President Asif Ali Zardari. “We all have to live and die here but such utterances would cause more deaths,” he said. Sabzwari urged senior PPP legislators to take notice of Bhutto’s speech.

LG Minister Agha Siraj Durani said that every legislator had the right to express his or her views and submit recommendations. He added that the reconciliation policy and the relationship between President Zardari and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain were intact.

Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said it was not advisable for Subzwari to say that the speech would cause “more deaths”. He said that if Bhutto’s speech hurt the sentiments of their colleagues, then the PPP expresses regret over it. He also noted that a delegation from the MQM had visited Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto on Sunday, and attended the 56th birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto. He further said that President Zardari, in his speech, had appreciated the MQM’s gesture. He pointed out that during the tenure of the previous government, words were used against the PPP leadership at the assembly floor that were unbearable, but the PPP supporters “digested” it owing to the reconciliation policy of the President.

Subzwari acknowledged that the PPP ministers had shown “magnanimity”, but added that words spoken at the House hold significance. He said that if his words had hurt anyone, he felt regrets over it.

Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza, who chaired the session, observed that if any member did not like a certain system, then it was a totally different thing, and added that the PPP legislator had spoken against the system and not personalities. She further said that it was advisable to respond in a “beautiful way”, and that there is no space for hatred in Sindh after the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto. She hoped that legislators would use proper words and avoid saying things which cause heartache in the future.

Earlier, Nadeem Bhutto claimed that around 50,000 “outsiders” come to Sindh every year. He said that around 3.5 million “illegal immigrants” were residing in Sindh, and if they were expelled, then there would be no crisis of flour, power, gas etc. 

Bhutto, in an apparent reference to the clashes between activists of the MQM and the Awami National Party (ANP), said, “Nobody should think that we cannot defend our land.” He further said that there was a sense of insecurity in Karachi, which was adversely affecting the economy.

He further said that the LG system was introduced by a “military dictator”, and subsequently, districts of Sindh were divided. He claimed that the LG system created a war-like situation between the province and districts. He demanded that Karachi and Hyderabad should be restored to their earlier positions of 1999, and that, barring one or two parties, all political parties wanted to end the present LG system. 

He pointed out that under this system the police were divided between investigation and operation wings, which caused more problems for the people in terms of having to bribe both wings, and created an extra burden for the provinces.

MQM’s Aleem Rehman severely criticised feudals, and held them responsible for all the ills in the country. He stated that the unprecedented development work in Karachi and Hyderabad reflected the visionary leadership of the MQM. He alleged that feudals got elected through the power of money, therefore, they indulged in minting money, while, on the other hand, MQM legislators did not spend money to get votes.

PPP’s Dr Ahmed Ali Shah said feudalism was a state of mind and it did not represent any class. He said the PPP had the mandate of the people, which should be respected instead of resorting to “abusive language.”

MQM’s Sohail Yusuf said we have to be loyal to Sindh and to promote the vision of President Zardari and Altaf Hussain. He added that it was a good omen that there was no opposition in the Sindh assembly.

MQM’s Zarin Majid said that their destiny lies in the prosperity of Sindh, and ending poverty, insecurity and backwardness in the province. She further said that the reconciliation policy should be extended to every issue so that the province could make progress. She acknowledged that hurtful words were uttered and exchanged in the assembly; however, she concluded that showing patience and tolerance is the responsibility of all.