The issue of raid on a local cinema under the supervision of Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui and arrest of over 40 prostitutes and 100 viewers dominated Sindh Assembly session proceedings on Friday and opposition bitterly criticised the government for violation of human rights.
When PA session started around 11:30 am, with Speaker Muzaffar Husain Shah in the chair, PPP Parliamentarians Saifullah Dharejo rose from his seat after the recitation from the Holy Quran and Fateha for deceased and said that raid on Prince Cinema in Karachi was carried out mysteriously and in violation of basic human rights.
According to him, innocent people were humiliated who went there to watch movie, and appealed to human rights organisations to raise their voice on the issue.
On his comments, Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui said that Prince cinema had transformed into a brothel, and prostitutes used to run their business in connivance with cinema staff and owner. Students of Bahria College were found, in the cinema, dealing with prostitutes, he added.
"We raided the cinema after confirming that it has become a brothel instead of a cinema. During the raid, men and women attacked police, while some of them fled," he said, adding that the owner of the cinema and his son admitted that they were showing vulgar movies in the cinema.
Rauf said that 150 men and women were arrested from the cinema and were released after a few hours, as people in such a large number could not be detained in any jail.
"We can't allow prostitution in the province; we have sent SHO of the area to jail and took action against the owner," he added.
Nuzhat Pathan of PPP said if those arrested were involved in illegal activities, it was the responsibility of the government to arrange their medical tests and register cases against them under Hudood Ordinance. But innocent people were humiliated by raiding the cinema and even no case was registered against them, she added.
Rafique Engineer said Home Minister should act according to law as his act of raiding the cinema harassed and humiliated people. Women were dragged and humiliated, he added.
"Members from treasury benches have undemocratic and fascist approach," he further charged.
On this, Law Minister Iftikhar said that the government believes in democratic norms, and urged opposition to help it in drive against obscenity and vulgarity.
Opposition leader in Sindh Assembly, Nisar Khuhro, said that Rauf should also be "praised for arresting eunuchs" after raiding the cinema in Karachi.
He questioned: who allowed cinema owner to show unauthorised movies by taking how much money, and demanded that House should be told why arrested persons were released.
Rauf said that 150 persons, arrested from the cinema, could not be detained; so they were released after bails. All those police officials who tortured women would be taken to task, he added.
He said that prostitutes can not be allowed to run their businesses openly, and advised them to do, whatever they want, secretly.
Immediately after the debate on cinema issue, Nisar tried to present an 'out of turn' adjournment motion on alleged rigging during by-election in NA-229 Tharparkar-I, but Speaker did not allow it.
On Nisar's request, Speaker said he would prefer to take opinion of the House for allowing the motion or not, but since time is over, and as per Sindh Governor's orders, he would prorogue the session.
Law Minister Iftikhar said that opposition had wasted the time on cinema issue and they would not allow extending time for any other matter.
On this, Speaker prorogued the session after reading out Sindh Governor's order. This infuriated the opposition who chanted slogans against the government.