Provincial Assembly of Sindh opposition leader Ali Khurshidi of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Sunday said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislator Nisar Khuhro negated PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s 1973 constitution when, a day earlier, he presented a resolution to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto on her birthday during the assembly’s budget session.
Talking to the media, Khurshidi said that the assembly’s rules of procedure drafted in the light of the 1973 constitution debar considering any non-budget agenda during the assembly’s budget session.
He said that when he pointed out in the PA that the rules of the assembly were being violated by presenting the resolution, the lawmakers on the treasury benches remained completely silent.
The opposition honours the late Benazir, but a resolution to pay homage to her should not be moved in the House in negation of the assembly rules, he added. He also said he had told the provincial ministers in the PA that he would himself move a resolution on Benazir, provided the same was presented in accordance with the rules.
He recalled that earlier, after making the budget speech, the chief minister had requested the chair to adjourn the PA session, then to especially reconvene the session to consider a resolution to condemn Israel’s attacks on Iran. The same CM disobeyed the rules when it came to a resolution on Benazir, he lamented.
On Saturday the PA had unanimously passed a resolution to pay glowing tributes to Benazir in connection with her 72nd birth anniversary. The resolution was moved by PPP Sindh President and Public Accounts Committee Chairman Khuhro. He requested the assembly’s acting speaker to relax the PA rules to allow the tabling of the resolution. Acting speaker Naveed Anthony granted the request.
However, MPAs of the MQM-P and other opposition parties staged a token walkout in protest. Khursheedi said that while Benazir deserved respect, it was inappropriate to bring forward any other agenda during the ongoing budget session.
Khuhro replied that the speaker is fully empowered to relax the rules to allow such a resolution. The motion was presented and subsequently adopted by the House. According to the resolution, the PA paid heartfelt tribute to Benazir, the first elected female PM in the Muslim world and a symbol of democracy. The motion described her as a dignified leader who through her courage, vision and determination, inspired generations, and led the country towards peace, development and prosperity.
The resolution highlighted her achievements in various sectors, including education, health care and women’s empowerment. It also noted that in 1989 she established the Missile Technology Board, laying the foundation for the advancement of Pakistan’s missile capabilities, which were further enhanced with Chinese assistance in 1995, significantly strengthening the country’s defence system.
It further said that Benazir consistently promoted tolerance, dialogue and peace, and waged a courageous struggle to rid the nation of terrorism. Her mission, it added, was to establish a democratic and equitable society.
The House recognised that Benazir’s martyrdom immortalised her legacy, which continues to guide the nation towards a brighter future founded on justice and equality.
The resolution concluded with a reaffirmation of the assembly’s commitment to continue her vision for a progressive and prosperous Pakistan under the leadership of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Speaking on the resolution, Khuhro said Benazir had laid down her life for the cause of democracy, and it was due to her sacrifice that democracy exists in Pakistan today. A ceremony was also held in the PA to cut a cake to celebrate Benazir’s birth anniversary. PA Speaker and acting governor Syed Awais Qadir Shah, CM Syed Murad Ali Shah, Khuhro, former CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former PA speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, Deputy Speaker Anthony and several other members participated in the ceremony.