The National Assembly on Thursday witnessed stormy when Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a government coalition partner Awami National Party (ANP) opposed discussion on a resolution moved by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for creation of Hazara and Saraiki provinces. The lawmakers who belong to PML-N and ANP turned the House into a 'fish market' when MQM parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar formally initiated debate on the resolution.
The strong protest by PML-N and ANP legislators, however, forced the deputy speaker Faisal Karim Kundi to suspend the proceedings of the House for 20 minutes with directives to the concerned parties to build a consensus before coming to the house. Opponents of the resolution were of the view that neither the resolution was admitted by the Chair nor it was on the agenda of the day, which Kundi also admitted, saying it is true the resolution has not been admitted.
The MQM, however, stuck to its guns and said that the chair had already given his ruling that a debate would be initiated after question hours and sense of the House was also taken on Tuesday, which was also supported by PPP, PML-Q and JUI-F. When the House resumed discussion on the debate following a brief break, it prompted ANP to stage a walkout from the House, saying that the Party is against debate on the resolution or creation of more provinces.
ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan while opposing the debate said that the debate was out of the rules as it was not mentioned in order of the day that the House would hold debate on the resolution, adding the Party has no option except walking out. He said he did not oppose the debate on the issue but members should have been informed in advance about it. The members should have been given time so that they could prepare for the debate, he said, adding that his Party did not oppose the creation of new provinces, but it should be in a constitutional manner.
The ANP Chief also said they would also oppose a bill for creation of Saraiki province if presented in parliament. According to the Constitution, the concerned province has to first pass a resolution with a two-third majority for such a bill to be presented in parliament, he said.
A similar response also came from opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and some PML-N legislators also expressed similar views regarding discussion on the issue. The Deputy Speaker also faced criticism from leader of the opposition for showing alleged partiality over the issue, which is near to his personal political and party interest and said that in such a situation, speakers and deputy speakers do not chair the session and give the responsibility to an impartial person.
Taking part in the debate, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar declared that resolution of the Party to create new provinces especially in Southern Punjab and Hazara Division is meant for a secure future of Pakistan. He felt that the sense of deprivation in different parts of the country is leading towards sense of alienation, which could have serious implications in future and noted new East Pakistan situation is being created by ignoring the reservations of these areas.
He rejected the notion that creation of new federating units is tantamount to dividing the country and resolved that no one could block emergence of new units in the country. He said his Party will fully support people of Malakand Division and FATA if they are interested in separate provinces.
Sardar Mahtab Khan Abbasi of PML-N acknowledged that injustices were done with some parts of the country in the past. However, he said creation of new federating units is an important matter, which needs serious homework and brining a resolution in such haste like MQM would not work. The MQM, which pretends to fight for the cause of people living in Saraiki and Hazara, he added, would not allow a district to be created in Karachi.
Amir Muqam and Sardar Yousaf Shah Jahan of PML-Q also supported the resolution of MQM whereas JUI-F lawmaker Laiq Mohammad Khan also supported MQM. Zafar Ali Shah and Najamuddin Khan of PPP also protested over Deputy Speaker's leniency towards MQM by allowing them to hold a debate on the resolution.