Provincial legislators of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday apologised to the House for their objectionable attitude towards other lawmakers during their protest against bhatta mafia (money extortionists). Deputy Speaker, Shehla Raza also apologised to the House and the MQM members for not letting them express their views on a point of order last Friday.
Soon after the session completed its initial business, MQM's lawmaker Faisal Sabzwari rose to speak on a point of order which first the deputy speaker turned down saying he may express his concern after the assembly agenda was completed but Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazhar requested the chair to allow him to express his views.
Sabzwari expressed regret for his colleagues' action of maltreating the National Peoples Party's lawmaker Arif Mustafa Jatoi during their protest in the House. He said MQM had always raised voice in favour of Sindh's rights whether it was water, natural resources or extortionism in the province. He said outside the Sindh Assembly building, the MQM lawmakers also protested against extortionism along with industrialists and traders. He said MQM was expecting to receive a unanimous response from other parties to protest for the rights of Sindh.
He apologised to all the lawmakers especially Arif Jatoi if they were hurt after MQM protested in the House. The MQM's lawmaker said his colleagues wanted to uproot crimes from the province and cleanse the society of corrupt officials. MQM's concerns were real as Karachi was the financial hub and centre of attraction for the people of the country, he said, adding that the criminals should be brought to justice. He said the LEAs should sincerely act against outlaws.
The NPP leader Masroor Jatoi said his party had accepted the MQM's legislators' apology, hoping that such an act would not be repeated in the House. He said that he himself and his party would support MQM's stance on extortionism, adding that his party had the same views on the issue.
He said that his party had always raised voice against extortionism and wanted to eliminate this menace from the country. Shehla Raza also apologised to the secretary Sindh Assembly for the last Friday's unpleasant incident. She said the speaker's job was to conduct the House proceedings without partiality and prejudice.