Non-arrest of Abbas Town blast culprits: MQM stages walkout from Sindh Assembly

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Wednesday clashed with Pakistan People's Party (PPP), its former ally, in Sindh Assembly over Abbas Town bloodshed. MQM lawmakers staged a walkout in protest against the non-arrest of those involved in the bomb blast, which claimed some 50 lives and left 200 injured besides ruining the residential apartments.
However, the house latter passed a joint resolution moved by treasury and MQM to denounce the terror act in the city. PPP lawmaker, Dr Sikandar Mandhro, tabled a resolution showing anger against the killings and demanding exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the carnage.
Syed Sardar Ahmed, who has recently been notified as opposition leader in Sindh Assembly by Speaker Nisar Khuhro, said that his party was in protest against the government's failure in taking action on the reports of intelligence agencies. PPP's Senior Minister, Pir Mazharul Haq, called the MQM's protest over Abbas Town bloodshed as "unjust", saying that it was not the time for doing politics on the issue. He said there were ample opportunities for doing politics.
MQM's Syed Izharul Hassan said that his party was practically supporting the families of the victims. He asked that whether questioning the institutions' capabilities was politics. He said that MQM had given away names and location of the perpetrators and the truck used in the explosion to the authorities but no action was taken. With his speech, MQM lawmakers went out of the house in protest, but no other opposition party jointed the walkout.
In the meantime, Pir Mazhar stood and said the MQM was opposing the resolution which was against the terrorism. "It should be on record the MQM has opposed the resolution," he said. Latter the MQM members returned to the house and submitted a resolution on the same subject. The house unanimously passed the condemnation resolution.
Earlier, condemning the Abbas Tow bloodshed Deputy Speaker, Shehla Raza, also denounced the post-blast mayhem which created chaotic situation in the city and in hospitals. "Doctors become unavailable, roads are blocked, and transport comes to a halt, whenever such acts of terrorism happen in the city. It is not our tradition to mishandle women at hospitals," she added.
There were 19 victims of the blast from Khairpur, two from Gilgit-Baltistan and the rest from Karachi, she said, sensing a "conspiracy" behind the bloodshed. Without citing any political party's name, she said that hypocrisy should end on the issue of terrorism. Shehla Raza said that snorkels and rescue operators rushed to the blast's site, but some miscreants killed four police men in the Sachal Police Station remits and blocked the road for public movement.
Dispelling the impression, she said the agitation and arson incident on Superhighway during funeral procession was the act of miscreants. She said a voice should be raised to unveil the perpetrators. She complained over obstacles, which the victims and their families had to undergo after the blast to attain medical treatment at hospitals.
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) lawmaker, Jam Unhar Tamachi, regretted over the continued unrest in the city, saying that political reconciliation between MQM and his party failed to improve law and order. Keeping in view the Abbas Town carnage, he suggested a joint effort by the judiciary, army, politicians, lawmakers, civil society and media to seek solutions to stem violence and chaos. MQM's lawmakers Faisal Sabzwari and Khwaja Izharul Hassan condemned Abbas Town blast and appealed to the nation to support the families of the victims. Speaker Nisar Khuhro adjourned the house till Thursday morning.