ISLAMABAD: Alleging Sindh Senior Minster Zulfiqar Mirza of abetting and supervising the Layari gang, the MQM along with the PML-N staged a token walkout from the National Assembly on Friday. Speaking on a point of order, MQM lawmaker Sajid Ahmad told the house that seven people in his constituency (Malir) were shot dead by the Layari gang of criminals, accusing Zulfiqar Mirza of running the gang responsible for killing scores of citizens and political activist in the economic hub of the country.
Later, Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi asked federal minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada to bring back the opposition who succeeded in the venture only after assuring the opposition members that the interior minister or the prime minister himself would assure action against the culprits involve in the heinous crimes.
Another MNA from MQM, Abdul Qadir Khanzada said that those who plotted Orangi Town massacre were now spreading their killing brigades in Malir and other areas of Karachi. He said that under a conspiracy Karachi was being divided in ‘five war zones’ and alleged that some terrorists wanted to take control of certain areas of the city besieged by terror.Later, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani assured the assembly that his government will maintain peace in Karachi. Interestingly, the prime minister at the same time asked the all the political forces to come up with solutions to Karachi problem, putting in doubt on his government’s ability to control the situation and suggesting that the government did not have any plan at hand.
Condemning the gang war in Malir and Landhi areas that resulted in the killing of people, he sought report from provincial government over the incident. He assured that the findings of the report will be presented before the house. Karachi’s stability is interlinked with political and economic stability of the country, therefore we can’t afford instability in Karachi, the prime minister said.Gilani appealed the MQM chief Altaf Hussain to ensure presence of his party members in the session so that a debate could be held on the important issue of Karachi and suggestions from the parliamentarians could be sought.
Before this, PML-N legislator Aftab Sheikh brought into the notice of the chair that despite production order, MNA Anjum Aqeel was not produced in the National Assembly. Gilani assured the house the PML-N MNA will be produced in the assembly. And later Anjum Aqeel was produced in the Lower House who while speaking on a point of order said that the Rs6 billion scandal made against him about a project that has already been completed. He urged the chair to form a committee to probe the matter.
Anjum alleged that certain political bigwigs were trying to trap him, adding that the investigation officers were under immense pressure. He was of the view that his party has the right to issue him notice. He vowed to face the trial and prove himself innocent, adding that no one can snatch his seat from him.Khawaja Saad Rafiq however said that the inquiry against their part MNA was being initiated on the direction of the Supreme Court and the PML-N believes that the judiciary is free and independent and they would respect the decision of the court.But he too alleged that Islamabad police was mistreating their MNA on the directions of Dr Babar Awan and Interior Minister Rehman Malik. He added that the case was registered almost one and half year before but police did not arrest Anjum Aqeel despite the fact that he was living in Islamabad.
Khawaja said that police opened fire on unarmed people but no inquiry was initiated against them while PML-N issued show cause notices to their workers and MNAs. He urged the chair to constitute a committee to probe the case initiated against Anjum Aqeel under terrorism act.Former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while quoting a news item regarding figure fudging in revenue target said that a committee should be formed to look into the matter, as it was a breach of the privilege of the house.
He added that AGP and State Bank governor who recently resigned should also be called in and asked about the reason for his resignation.MNA Abdul Qadir Baloch said that 170 defiled dead bodies have been found from different areas of Balochistan and the local people deem security agencies responsible for these murders. He said that it was the duty of the security agencies to reveal those involved in killing of these people.Later, the deputy speaker prorogued the session. The next assembly session is expected in the first week of August. – Nation
