Opposition in the Sindh Assembly continued its criticism to the provincial fiscal budget 2018-19, saying that the country's largest city - Karachi suffers the worst portable water shortage. "Don't make Karachi as Paris, let Karachi as Karachi," Irum Azeem Farooque - an MQM defected legislators to the PSP slammed the ruling PPP for its policy ignoring Karachi's development in the last 10 years, saying that "it is my last speech in the house, will not return".
Two terms of government could only ensure 10 buses for the city, she said, adding that the "postpone the clean province drive just begin cleaning this house [assembly]". She said that the province cannot change its journey towards a deteriorating future unless clean people come into the house. "Mafia is in the house among us," she added.
PML-F's Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar protested against the absence of provincial ministers from the house during the budget discussion, saying that "whom should we raise the issue to." The entire opposition also staged a walkout from the house. He also blamed the PPP for supporting 'terrorists' during its tenure from 2008 to 2013. "What you have done to Lyari," he asked the PPP government, pointing towards the gangsters rule in the violence hit area of Karachi.
He credited Pakistan Army and Rangers for restoring peace to Karachi, saying that it was not the PPP, rather indirectly blamed it for a widespread violence in the metropolis between 2008 and 2013. He also urged the people of Sindh to rise against those who plundered their tax money. "No Bhutto nowhere in Sindh is alive but corruption continues in the name of Bhuttos," he said.
PPP's Owais Qadir Shah censured former primer, Nawaz Sharif for his remarks on Mumbai attacks that brought the country to disrepute, saying that none in Sindh will subscribe his views. "He [Nawaz] is speaking against the national flag which we revere the most," he said, adding that Nawaz is also badmouths against the institution which guarantees the nation's security and peace.
MQM's member defected to the PSP, Bilques Mukhtar said that the post-budget speeches by legislators are a 'futile' exercise, saying that "our recommendations are never engrafted in the budget nor legislators are taken into confidence in formulation of the budget." She said that the city, which boosts the national economy, stands abandoned. MQM's Muhammad Dilawar not only criticised opposition leader, Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan for not attending the budget session but also slammed the ruling PPP for its continuing overlooking of Karachi's development. He raised the water issues of Sindh and Karachi exclusively has suffered the most. PPP's Mahesh Milani praised his party's government and pointed out several healthcare projects in Thar region that suffered the worst famine, leaving hundreds of children dead from starvation.
Shamim Mumtaz of PPP blamed the PTI for 'vulgarity' in the country, saying that Z.A Bhutto introduced quota system to underpin the poor and weak in the society. She also pointed out that the government failed to carry out police reforms. The house was adjourned till Thursday morning.
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