KARACHI: After a request of PPP to withdraw nomination of speaker or deputy speaker, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has claimed the decision would be taken by the Rabita Committee. PPP has its majority in Sindh Assembly,
The sources in the assembly said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has requested the MQM-P to withdraw the names of the speakers and deputy speakers as it wanted to elect unopposed the both constitutional posts.
Muttehida Pakistan is with Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party, but it is in opposition in Sindh Assembly. Muttehida wishes to keep its governor in Sindh province, but PML-N and PPP agreed to appoint their own governors in Sindh and Punjab provinces.
MPA Syed Waseem said his party nominated Sofia Saeed for the speaker’s slot and Rashid Khan for deputy speaker. He said MQM-P wanted resolution of the province’s issues in coordination with other parties. He said the political parties should do their party politics but should reduce people’s troubles.
In the latest developments in Sindh Assembly, at least 148 newly-elected Sindh Assembly members took oath in the house of 168 on Saturday as the session began with a delay amid high security.
The legislators will now elect the House’s speaker and deputy speaker later under the assembly rules.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, the police detained 10 workers including women of the Qaumi Awami Tehreek who staged protests outside the Sindh Assembly against the alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections. The law enforcement officials also baton-charged the protestors.
The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), PTI and Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM-Haqiqi), had announced to hold a joint “peaceful” protest outside the Sindh Assembly.
GDA Secretary Information Sardar Abdul Raheem said that their protest in Sindh was against stealing the people’s mandate, warning that the demonstrations would keep intensifying till their mandate was returned.
Caravans of various political parties coming from different parts of Sindh were stopped on the outskirts of the metropolis.
Workers of political parties also staged protests near the Sindh Assembly with many detained and transferred to the police station. Several female workers also clashed with the police.
