MQM boycotts Sindh Assembly session

KARACHI: Lamenting the postponement of elections on two seats of Azad Jammu & Kashmir assembly reportedly for security reasons, Ministers and Legislators belonging to Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) staged a walkout from Sindh Assembly on Saturday and sought immediate intervention of Sindh Chief Minister for resolving the matter.

MQM’s Faisal Sabzwari, speaking on the point of order, questioned the IGP Sindh’s report wherein he requested the Election Commission for postponing the elections on constituencies LA-30 and LA-36 in AJK due to security concerns.

Faisal recalled the budget speech of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah in which he had claimed law and order was satisfactory in Sindh, particularly Karachi, adding how IGP Sindh could issue contradicting statement to that of provincial chief executive.

He said it was sheer infringement on the rights of Kashmiris, adding MQM will not ever withdraw its candidates in favor of the ruling PPP.

As his speech was over, he left the house along with MPAs and other ministers of MQM.

Talking to journalists after boycotting the session, he said PPP had moved to postponing the elections as it feared MQM will grab both seats belonging to Sindh. He said elections were postponed without being taken into confidence the coalition partners.

“We will continue to boycott the Sindh Assembly session until AJK elections are held soon,” he said.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011