The tug of war between government coalition partners dampened Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) enthusiasm on Friday, as it failed in getting the resolution seeking creation of Saraiki and Hazara provinces through the National Assembly.
At the very outset of the session, when MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi find the resolution on creation of new provinces missing from the agenda of day, he rose on a point of order and addressed the chair: "Mr [deputy] speaker the resolution was not in today's agenda once again and [I] do not know why you are tight-lipped for the last two days on the issue and who holds the keys."
The MQM, which treaded the thorny way bare-footed to orchestrate the issue of creating new provinces, desperately going to the extent of voting and debate, was stunned to listen when NA deputy speaker Faisal Karim Kundi after two days of silence ruled, saying that the 'resolution has not been moved'.
The helplessness of the MQM lawmakers was worth noticing when they have listen all this at the time of prorogation, which compelled them to recite verses of renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz one by one, over the double standard of a close ally, which betrayed them at the end of the day.
However, it was decided that the legal process will start in the next session, likely to convened by the end of January wherein constitutional amendments regarding creation of Hazara, Saraiki and Fata provinces would be taken up on the first day of the session. Prime Minister Gilani, who was busy in cooling down the temper of MQM lawmakers, saying the government fully endorse their move on creation of new provinces.
But during Friday session, the prime minister while addressing MQM members said that he had two thirds majority in National Assembly for creation of Saraiki province and if you [MQM] were confidant that you could muster the same support, go ahead and they were with tem in establishing Hazara province.
"I have talked to the leaders of ANP and others regarding Saraiki province, so the issue of other provinces must not be linked with it," he said. This prompted MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, asking the PM to go ahead with the plan and his party would extend all out support in the house come what may. "It was none other than you Mr Prime Minister who said on the floor that whosoever tried to oppose the MQM resolution, he would face the defeat. No, as you said, you have 2/3 majority to pass the bill, so just go head, write history, do not be late, do only voting on the resolution and the legislation will be made after taking the ANP into confidence later," he pleaded.
The premier remained tongue-tied in response to Dr Sattar's hard-hitting speech, and the house turned into fish market, when slogans 'make province, Hazara province, Malakand province, Fata province, Saraiki province etc' were raised by MQM members. The anger of ANP members was beyond apprehension, as Pervez Khan of ANP challenged the government to pass the amendment for new provinces.
He asked MQM members to first stop slaughtering of Pakhtuns living Karachi instead of being the voice of Hazaras. "Enough is enough...I challenge the government, bring the amendment and we will see how you will get these passed from the house. You are trying to snatch the provincial autonomy, of which you were trying to become champion and today you are bypassing the provinces which is an attack on the provincial autonomy ...do whatever you like and you will see how we will throw it out," he threatened.
Sardar Bahadur Sihar of PML-Q came openly in defence of MQM for bringing the resolution and said that it was a serious issue, which needs serious consideration by the government. Raza Hayat Hiraj of PML-Q also defended the MQM and lambasted the PML-N for opposing the debate on the issue. He said that the history, language, and culture of Southern Punjab did not match with Punjabis.
"Yeh oi abba kehnei wali qaum hei... we have nothing to do with them, it is Saraki who grows grain but it is Punjabi for whom bread is available on Rs 2 while Saraiki gets by paying Rs 10. Saraiki province must be created," he urged. This infuriated Hanif Abbasi of PML-N, who kept on calling him as traitor, said he talked against the creation of Pakistan, which tantamount to treason.
Nadeem Afzal Chan of PPP delivered an emotional speech and said that these feudal and elites who become part of every government, become minister even during the military regimes, and enjoy all the privileges but the Punjabis were being abused just because of them, which the PML-N members appreciated by thumbing the desks.
He severely criticised military, saying that it was military which rules in Balochistan. He questioned why the PPP, PML-N, PML-Q, MQM and everybody who are well aware what is going on in Balochistan, have no guts to speak for the miseries of the people in the restive province.
Meanwhile, the MQM members by thumbing desks kept on shouting the slogans of 'make provinces, make provinces'. Dr Farooq Sattar said that his party would always support Hazar, Saraiki and Fata provinces and kept on insisting to have voting, for making it clear who is against or in favour of new provinces.
Gilani said that he had been running a campaign for creation of Saraiki province, and a consensus had been built. "There are people who support him and those who are interested in creating other provinces, bring the resolutions later," he urged. Gilani called upon MQM to beware that their agitation might harm the consensus on Saraiki province and then the history would never forgive them. "Just be careful, you never know that you might be used in sabotaging the whole issue," he warned. The deputy speaker prorogued the session for an indefinite period after rumpus in the House.