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Sindh Assembly proceedings on Tuesday progressed smoothly as both the treasury and the opposition had decided to accommodate each other's points of view with aplomb and compassion! The session began at 11:20 am, instead of 9:30 am. Speaker Muzaffar Hussein Shah presided.
The House admitted an adjournment motion by Leader of Opposition Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on the issue of 12,000 acres coastal land, reportedly being allotted to a foreign investor to develop a new city at a cost of $43 billion over a period of 13 years. The adjournment motion would be taken up for a two-hour discussion on Friday as the last item of the orders of the day.
Minister for Mines and Minerals Resources Irfanullah Khan Marwat, initiating discussion on previous day's proceedings and suspension of membership of PPP MPA Rafique Engineer for Tuesday, said that the rulings of the Speaker must be respected.
He said that press conferences and statements regarding the speaker's performance were not permissible under the rules of business whereas these activities were going on unabated outside the House. He said that this practice should come to an end and Assembly proceedings should be allowed to sail smoothly.
He said that the legislators should learn to respect each other's point of view and be patient in dealing with issues.
He said that casting aspersions against the speaker was not permissible and the opposition should refrain from indulging in such talks. He said that by raising slogans and disturbing the proceedings, the members wanted to obstruct legislation work. "Look at the record. The Assembly is always in disorder, when it comes to legislation. This is a unique phenomenon," he said.He said that unless it was decided to remain disciplined, the session should not be continued further.
Leader of opposition said: "It were you, Mr speaker, who decided to adjourn the Assembly abruptly. If you decide to publicly humiliate a member, the system would come to a halt."
He said he had the right to convene a press conference and talk about the system and point out weaknesses of the people "we are working with". The speaker said that he wanted to close the chapter, but Rafiqiue Engineer should apologise from the members of the assembly for his conduct. He said that without listening and abiding by the decisions of the speaker the assembly could not function.
He said that the rules of business "do not permit" a member to disobey the speaker. "You may disagree with him but his rulings are binding to ensure smooth functioning of the house."
The speaker said let Rafique apologise to the House so that the proceedings could be furthered. Rafique Engineer apologised to the House and said he was doing so in the greater interest of the people of Sindh. "I want the Assembly to continue its proceedings."
The speaker recalled his decision and converted it into a warning. Later, the Assembly adopted a joint resolution on 'dengue' fever and asked the government to adopt adequate measures to control the viral disease. The house referred two privilege motions, one from Sharaf-un-Nisa and Maluna Sadiq to privilege committee, which would submit it in the next session.
During Question Hours, policy for issuing advertisements to newspapers came up for discussion. Members critically examined the frequency with which certain newspapers were being supported.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2006

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