Sindh Assembly completes five-year term with conciliatory notes

The Sindh Assembly on Monday completed its five-year term amid a hope shared by many that it would again meet after elections in coming July, as opposition wished a collective and representational democracy ought to replace the existing purely majority-based system.
Lawmakers extolled the legislature for its democratic values of fortitude and struggle, which make it stand lofty against the closed and highly centralized dictatorial rule. Opposition said there should also be a struggle against the 'conventional' democracy that is the rule through a pure majority.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah retreated from his harsh stance on a separate province, saying that such a demand will never land in the assembly. "The culture of tolerance we have upheld and this is the norm of democracy," he told the legislators. Shah also lauded Speaker, Aga Siraj Durrani, for holding assembly proceedings.
He also paid homage and respect to the people who sacrificed their lives or abandoned their belongings and land for Pakistan in 1947. "None leaves his home willingly. Whoever came here are Pakistanis. Whatever language may one speak in Sindh is Sindhi," he said, adding that the assembly expunged a 'wrong' word from his speech during the budget sitting.
MQM's Syed Sardar Ahmed said there should be a quota for young men and women in the next election. Moreover, he demanded uplift funds disbursement to the district levels. He said democracy has yet to take time to become representational and collective democracy with a collective decision-making unlike the current rule of majority.
He also praised Aga Siraj Durrani for his 'tolerant and appeasing' attitude towards the lawmakers, calling him a 'memorable' speaker. Shehla Raza, PPP's lady lawmaker, who also served the house for ten years as deputy speaker, said it is difficult and challenging for a woman to shoulder such responsibility in a patriarchal society. She said she had served as acting governor for seven times. She apologised the lawmakers if she has ever hurt their sentiments during the sitting. "Many people have complaints for which I apologise," she said, adding that she never compromised on laws. She stressed on the need for abiding by the rules and regulations during legislation. She suggested officers should be appointed to teach rules to media while reporting legislature proceedings.
PTI's parliamentary leader, Khurrum Sher Zaman Khan, apologised the house if he had hurt feelings of anyone when he had been criticizing the government during the assembly proceedings. He said people had pinned greater hope in their elected representatives for solving their problems in their respective constituencies.
"With an open and big heart I seek everyone's forgiveness in the house," he said. Khurram saluted Dr Sikandar Mandhro, former Sindh Health Minister, for his response to the requests, saying he was the only minister who never refused any request.
PML-N's Shafi Muhammad Jamote complained that the government never released funds for development to the opposition members. "Not releasing funds for development of the opposition's constituencies is not a good omen and norm," he said, adding that the marine pollution has outgrown with discharge of untreated water in sea, which is feared to ravage its ecology in the future.
PML-F's Mehtab Rashidi said she would have great memories of the house including learning of making laws. She said the Sindh Assembly is thought to be the country's biggest liberal and progressive assembly but she slammed the treasury for its self-boast and their haughty feelings that they do everything right. She urged the government to take opposition's criticism for the sake of reformation.
Opposition leader, Khawaja Izharul Hasan of MQM, appreciated Aga Siraj Durrani for his attitude towards the opposition members and called their exchange of hard words with Shehla Raza as 'worth remembering.' Sindh Senior Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nisar Khuhro congratulated Speaker and the house for completing the tenure, saying: "I still advocate for the honour to the assemblies."
He also thanked PTI's Khurrum Sher Zaman Khan for taking part in the legislation with a complete involvement, besides the opposition for upholding the legislature's honour.
"Members of my family have already held the position of speaker of Sindh Assembly and I am the third to chair the house," Aga Siraj Durrani said in his concluding remarks. He thanked PPP's central leadership for assigning him the task.
He also appreciated former three-time Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah for his support. "I have learnt a lot from Qaim Ali Shah," he paid a respect to him and also to MQM's Syed Sardar Ahmed, who gave historic details and information. He said Sindh Assembly laid the foundation for an independent Pakistan. "I feel proud of treasury and opposition," he said and also paid homage to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for her guidance to him.