The MPAs from Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) on Tuesday walked out of Sindh Assembly along with other opposition members in protest against exclusion of Muslim lawmakers from the minorities' welfare committee and rejection of their proposed resolution, in this regard.
The GDA's female legislator, Nusrat Sehar Abbasi had tabled a resolution in the house on the private members' day against the exclusion of Muslim lawmakers from the committee on minorities welfare but the ruling PPP with it overwhelming majority opposed it. The treasury benches defended the government's move and voted against the said resolution triggering a walkout by the GDA and opposition parties.
However, MMA's Syed Abdul Rasheed and PTI's Dr Seema Zia opted out of the protest because of their resolutions were in waiting for discussion in the house. In the resolution, Nusrat contended that the committee without the Muslim legislators stands illegal and unconstitutional. The committee also consists of senators and national assembly members, which is against the 18th Constitutional Amendment that enshrines provincial autonomy.
She noted that the government did not pick a minority member from the opposition benches, which is also an alarming sign. "On one hand, they claim themselves democrats and on the other they act like dictators," she said, adding that the opposition minority members also worried whether the committee could even solve their problems. She accused the PPP's provincial minister, Hari Ram Kishori Lal, of including two of his blue-eyed legislators into the committee.
In reply, Sindh Local Government Department, Saeed Ghani, said that it is discretion of the government whoever it likes to include in the committee. "Opposition's representation is assured only in the standing committee of the assembly, whereas such a platform is exclusively for elected members of provincial, national and senate," he said, adding that calling the five members on the committee 'illegal and unconstitutional' is unfair. He requested the opposition to withdraw the resolution.
Nand Kumar, GDA's minority legislator, told the treasury that the PPP adopted the 18th Constitutional Amendment and now it itself is opposing it. The ministers have included private secretaries in the committee, he alleged, asking "what kind of a democracy is this?" He said the PPP government is ruining the 18th Amendment. He said the government now change the name of committee from non-Muslim to Peoples Party welfare committee.
MQM's minority MPA, Mangla, showed concern on exclusion of non-Muslim member from the opposition parties in that committee. She said the move indicates the ruling PPP just hides its corruption.
Dr Seema Zia stayed in the house despite her party legislators' walk out. She said she has to discuss issue public importance. She succeeded to get her resolution passed, asking the government to assure children education free and compulsory. Syed Abdul Rasheed, who tabled a resolution seeking a ban on construction of high-rise constructions, withdrew his stance after Saeed Ghani assured him of resolving the issue in Lyari.