Latest news with #MQM
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Good governance: Opposition lawmaker praises Sharjeel
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly's ongoing budget debate for the fiscal year 2025–26 entered its fourth consecutive day on Thursday, showcasing deep a divide between the treasury and opposition benches, while raising concerns over governance, resource allocation, and regional disparities. Despite the significance of the debate, the session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, was marked by low attendance, suggesting waning interest in the proceedings. In an unusual move of cross-party recognition, an opposition lawmaker praised the Sindh government's Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon for good governance for their effective leadership, yet called on the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to introduce a new Chief Minister and Finance Minister. The remark underscored the frustration building within opposition ranks over governance issues. The assembly continued with impassioned speeches, but the criticism remained sharp. MQM's Muhammad Rashid Khan praised Pakistan's military leadership, extending national tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir for the unprecedented recognition he received during his recent visit to the United States. He applauded US President Joe Biden's remarks calling the meeting with Munir an 'honor,' which he believed elevated Pakistan's global standing. He also took aim at the leadership of Sindh, questioning why key ministries had been handled by a few, suggesting the assembly had competent individuals who could serve as Chief Minister and Finance Minister. Meanwhile, Rehan Akram of the MQM decried the continued allocation of 90% of development schemes to rural Sindh, asserting that the government's focus was lopsided and failed to address critical urban issues. He also took aim at the Sindh Anti-Corruption Department, accusing it of becoming 'a department of corruption' due to the lack of a functioning minister or secretary. Akram expressed frustration over the ongoing water crisis and deteriorating sewerage systems plaguing his constituency. Muhammad Daniyal of MQM echoed similar sentiments, expressing anger that the party's pre-budget recommendations had been disregarded. He castigated the '18 years of royal rule' under the Chief Minister, pointing to the dilapidated state of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Karachi. Daniyal sarcastically mocked the city's mayor, who had promised to wash roads with rose water while the city faced a dire drinking water shortage. Representing the Hindu community, Mahesh Kumar Hasija of MQM lamented that the budget had failed to include any significant measures for empowering minorities. He demanded that interest-free loans be provided to them for starting small businesses, emphasizing the need for more targeted support for marginalized communities. Fouzia Hameed, a lady lawmaker from MQM, described the Sindh budget as 'one of destruction,' claiming that it primarily benefitted a few elite families. She called for the reorganization of the entire budget to ensure public resources were spent more equitably and questioned why the Chief Minister had to hold multiple portfolios when there were other capable individuals. In contrast, the PPP side defended the budget with equal fervour. Shahid Thahim, the Sindh Labour Minister, expressed confidence that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would eventually ascend to the position of Prime Minister. He raised concerns over excessive load-shedding in rural Sindh and highlighted ongoing issues in Shahdadpur, including the absence of gas supply despite recent discoveries near the town. Fayaz Ali Butt of PPP praised the Chief Minister for presenting a budget that, in his view, was people-friendly despite the province's challenging financial situation. He pointed to the construction of 2.1 million houses for flood victims as a major achievement. PPP's Giyanoo Mal also praised the party's efforts in protecting minority rights, citing the creation of a dedicated department for minorities and numerous schemes for their welfare. However, he argued that no new initiatives were necessary, given the extensive work already undertaken by PPP. He took a swipe at the Indian government, stating that while he once visited India, he would not do so again due to ongoing tensions. The debate also saw passionate interventions from other PPP members. Jameel Ahmed defended the government's record, asserting that opposition claims of an 'anti-people' budget were exaggerated. He pointed out that taxes had been reduced in the current budget, which he felt was a clear example of the government's pro-people policies. Meanwhile, Khurram Karim Soomro praised Bilawal Bhutto's international advocacy and referenced the recruitment of 74,000 teachers in Sindh's education sector. Women Development Minister Shaheena Sher Ali highlighted her ministry's achievements, including the establishment of Safe Houses and children's play areas across the province. She revealed that Women Complexes in Sukkur and Karachi would be completed by the year's end, and small loans would be provided to women entrepreneurs. She also took a swipe at MQM, accusing them of being politically 'conditioned' to admire the Punjab Chief Minister. The day's heated exchanges culminated in a request from Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, who called for the removal of certain inappropriate remarks from the Assembly record, including mentions of drugs and the former Prime Minister. Deputy Speaker Naveed complied with the request. As the debate continued, PPP MPA Ghulam Qadir Chandio stressed the importance of thoughtful discourse on sensitive issues such as the potential division of Sindh and controversial canal projects on the Indus River. He emphasized the need for sensitivity when discussing such matters. The session concluded with the promise of further discussions on Friday at 10 a.m., as lawmakers from both sides are expected to continue pressing their points and raising the issues that matter most to their constituencies. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dar meets MQM delegation
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Thursday, met with the MQM delegation led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Dr Farooq Sattar, Aminul Haque, and Javaid Hanif were also part of the delegation. The delegation discussed various matters related to the development budget, constituency-related concerns, and broader political issues. Dar reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusive development and assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Pakistan treats muhajirs as enemies, Not citizens; Altaf Hussain Demands UN-backed freedom
London [UK], June 19 (ANI): Exiled MQM founder Altaf Hussain has called on the United Nations to recognise the Muhajirs' right to self-determination. Citing decades of systemic discrimination, he urged the international community to take action against what he described as 'state-sponsored apartheid' in Pakistan. 'The sacrifices of our forefathers created Pakistan, yet today the very architects of this nation, the Muhajirs, are treated as outsiders in their homeland,' Hussain declared. He described how Muhajirs, migrants from post-Partition India who settled in urban Sindh, face exclusion from education, employment, and basic civil rights. Referencing the UN Charter, he demanded the same right to political freedom that is guaranteed to all peoples under international law. He recounted historical flashpoints, from the 1964 violence against Fatima Jinnah's supporters to the 1972 language riots and the imposition of rural-urban quotas, as proof of deliberate marginalisation. 'Why are military operations only ever launched in Karachi or Balochistan, not Punjab?' he asked, accusing Pakistan's military of targeting Muhajir strongholds, killing activists, enforcing media blackouts, and dismantling MQM's political base. Rejecting the label of 'ethnic separatist,' Hussain emphasised MQM's inclusive stance: 'We have stood by Baloch, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Kashmiris, Hazaras -- every persecuted group. MQM never propagated hate; we stood for inclusion and human dignity.' He called the 2016 Nine Zero raid 'state barbarism' and condemned the branding of MQM as a terrorist organisation without due process. Urging Muhajir activists to submit reports of abuse to the UN, he framed documentation as the 'only peaceful and lawful path forward.' Hussain highlighted a series of pivotal events in Pakistan's history that, he claimed, demonstrate the enduring oppression of the Muhajir community, including the state-backed violence against Fatima Jinnah's supporters in 1964, the enforcement of the 1972 language bill in Sindh, and the implementation of a biased rural-urban quota system during Bhutto's rule. According to him, these measures were deliberately designed to suppress Muhajir identity and eliminate their influence in the country's political sphere. Hussain urged the UN, human rights groups, and democratic nations to act against what he described as arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, and the systemic marginalisation of Muhajirs. He ended with a firm but conciliatory appeal: 'We don't seek war. We seek dignity. But we shall never surrender our identity or our right to exist with dignity.' (ANI)
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Budget: Sindh Assembly witnesses another day of heated debate
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday witnessed the third consecutive day of vigorous debate on the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, with opposition members sharply criticising the PPP-led government's performance while praising the fiscal direction taken by Punjab under Maryam Nawaz. A total of 29 lawmakers contributed to the debate, bringing the cumulative number of speakers over the last three days to 84. More members are expected to participate in the debate on Thursday. The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed. While treasury benches hailed the budget as development-oriented and people-centric, opposition members lambasted it as disconnected from public realities—particularly in urban Sindh. Opening the day's speeches, Provincial Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah outlined achievements under his portfolio, including initiatives to develop Gorakh Hill into a family-friendly tourist spot and efforts to digitize Bhitaipedia and the Sindhi language. He proposed setting up a residential colony for writers and poets. Noting budgetary restrictions, he lamented that the tourism department is barred from purchasing vehicles, whereas other countries levy fewer duties on such imports. The Gorakh Hill Authority, he said, receives an annual allocation of Rs250 million. MQM's Farhan Ansari voiced deep frustration over the budget's failure to address Karachi's needs. 'There is no electricity or water in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Only hydrants are functional,' he said, accusing the government of ignoring basic urban infrastructure while breaking promises of road carpeting and streetlights. PTI's Sajjad Ali Soomro sharply criticised Sindh's education record. 'Six million children remain out of school despite PPP spending Rs2 trillion on education. Farmers are committing suicide while ministers grow richer,' he added, also highlighting the lawlessness in riverine areas. MQM's Abdul Basit criticised the government for failing to implement the senior citizen card program. 'Even if this budget were in dollars, it wouldn't change Sindh's condition,' he quipped. PPP's Qasim Siraj Soomro countered opposition criticism by asserting that the budget reflects genuine efforts to uplift the province. He lauded the PPP's performance for its growing political strength and cited improvements in Nagarparkar schools and 56 dams in Thar; though he admitted many RO plants remain in disrepair. MPA Adil Altaf Unar expressed gratitude for road projects in his constituency and praised party leadership for a balanced fiscal strategy. PPP's Liaquat Ali Askani congratulated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the finance team, revealing that nine major schemes have been earmarked for Karachi. He stressed the need for setting up a trauma centre in Baldia Town. Minister for Social Welfare Tarique Ali Talpur highlighted ongoing collaboration with NGOs like HANDS and Oxfam on senior citizen initiatives and urged the federal government to withdraw the 18% tax on solar panels. Riaz Hussain Shah Sheerazi, Minister for Auqaf and Zakat, reported that 122,000 beneficiaries had been registered under the Zakat program, with funds to be managed via Islamic banks. He also announced new schemes for the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. PPP's Malik Sikander Khan said 52 primary schools in Thana Bula Khan remain closed due to a shortage of teachers. He generously offered 20 acres of personal land for a playground and called for water supply schemes in the region. MQM's Qurat Ul Ain Khan called the budget anti-people and accused the government of marginalising her party. 'Landhi Medical College is in the budget books every year but never built. Load-shedding and inflation are choking Karachi,' she said. Muhammad Usman of MQM criticised the inequitable tax distribution. 'For tax collection, Karachi is part of Sindh, but when it comes to basic needs like water, we're told to ask the federal government,' he remarked, going as far as to suggest handing Karachi over to the Centre. Arsalan Perwaiz said his constituency PS-98 lacks potable water, roads, and ambulances. He alleged corruption in housing societies and bemoaned zero allocation for his area in the budget. PTI's Sajid Hussain focused on Karachi's chronic problems. 'There's been no clean drinking water for 20 years, drugs are sold openly, and children are out of school. The Landhi Medical Hospital has no electricity. This is a criminal negligence,' he said. MQM's Muhammad Aamir Siddiqui said most of the Rs20 billion worth of schemes benefit Malir, ignoring areas like Johar, PIB, and Central. He criticised low funding for the Red Line BRT. MQM's Muhammad Maaz Mehboob hailed Punjab's development and questioned whether Karachi youth would need to migrate there to build skills. 'Even the IT budget here is less than the forest department's,' he lamented. 'No wonder people say Sindh needs a CM like Maryam Nawaz.' Kiran Masood of MQM paid tribute to former leaders and accused the PPP of arresting female MQM workers. 'You have your mayor— ask him to perform. Red Line BRT and Pink Taxi won't matter without roads,' she said, demanding power devolution to the districts. MQM's Sikandar Khatoon pointed to the lack of public transport in Shah Faisal. 'Only one bus route, People's Bus R-2, serves the area. That's not enough,' she said. PTI's Bilal Hussain Khan Jadoon accused local bodies of corruption and noted that despite his constituency paying high taxes, it still lacks basic utilities like gas and water. PPP's Abdul Razaq Raja sparked uproar from opposition benches but lightened the atmosphere by reciting a poem in Sindhi at the Chief Minister's request. PPP's Rana Hamir Singh expressed gratitude for a Rs50 million project in his constituency while also flagging other local issues. PPP's Muhammad Yousuf called for turning the boys' college in Konkar into a girls' college in the evening shift due to the lack of a dedicated girls' college in Gadap. PPP's Bahadur Khan Dahri opened with a poem that irked PTI lawmakers, though Minister Sharjeel Memon quickly defused the tension. As the debate concluded, the session was adjourned until 10 am on Thursday, with more fiery speeches expected as budget deliberations continue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Barbs fly during Sindh assembly budget session
KARACHI: Opposition slammed the fiscal budget 2025-26 as discriminatory and dubbed it 'the darkest budget in Sindh's history', while the treasury hailed the financial plan as balanced and pro-people, during the Sindh Assembly session on Tuesday. Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches also engaged in fiery exchanges during the budget debate that entered the second day as a tense atmosphere gripped the legislature The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed. Opening the floor, PPP MPA Yousuf Baloch praised Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and his team for crafting a people-centric budget in the face of stringent IMF conditions and limited funds. 'It was no easy task, but we relied on our own resources to ensure that the budget serves the people,' he remarked. He also defended Sindh's education performance, claiming it fared better than other provinces and would further improve through fresh teacher recruitment. PPP lawmaker Hina Dastagir affirmed the Chief Minister's capacity to deliver for the public, while Arooba Rabbani said health and education had received special attention, including Karachi's academic institutions. She noted that Shahrah-e-Bhutto would be completed this fiscal year. 'PPP's work is always visible on the ground,' she said. From the opposition benches, MQM's Faheem Patni lamented that no authority was responding to the severe public issues in his constituency. 'I've told my people that the PPP government will not provide them even drinking water,' he said. 'This budget won't change the lives of ordinary citizens— it will only benefit those who made it.' PPP MPA Sarfraz Shah extended congratulations to the leadership for a 'commendable budget' and requested that a branch of NICVD be established in Naushero Feroze. He also called for reconstruction of flood-damaged schools. MPA Khair-un-Nisa Mughal urged authorities to hand over vacant athlete hostels in Mirpurkhas to local universities and thanked Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon for launching the People's Bus Service there. MQM's Moid Anver highlighted sewage water entering a cemetery in PS-101 Essa Nagri and lamented 'Karachi's marginalization' despite contributing 60% of federal revenues. 'PPP has done nothing for the people in its 17-year rule,' he asserted. PPP MPA Pir Mujeeb ul Haq said all development in Sindh had happened under PPP's tenure, citing the 18th Amendment for increasing provincial budgets. He called for Sindh University's Dadu campus to be granted full university status and urged federal authorities to expedite the long-stalled Gaj Dam project. PPP's Seema Khurram said the Benazir Hari Card continued to benefit thousands of farmers and congratulated the CM and his team on a progressive budget. MPA Noor Muhammad Bhurgari noted incomplete roads in Badin and called for their completion. Opposition MPA Naseer Ahmad criticised the government's neglect of Manghopir, claiming the area was treated 'like a foreign territory,' and accused PPP of enabling land mafias. 'They should rename themselves 'Pet Palan Party',' he quipped. PPP's Agha Siraj Durrani cautioned against personal attacks and reminded members to focus on policy matters, not party names. Panel Chairperson Rehana Leghari expunged objectionable remarks made about PPP. PPP's Jam Shabbir Ali called for unity, emphasiwing that 'Karachi is the capital of Sindh and belongs to all of us.' Faqeer Sher Muhammad criticised low budget allocation for the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and suggested converting diesel-run RO plants in Thar to solar due to fuel shortages. MQM's legislator Nasir Qureshi accused the government of under-funding Hyderabad's healthcare. He questioned why the President had to be flown to Karachi when the Gambat Institute exists and noted the ICU in Civil Hospital Hyderabad lacked beds. In her speech, PPP's Saadia Javed said that a budget was more than just numbers. She lauded the party's health sector achievements but stirred controversy by referencing MQM's past association with Farooq Dada. Her remarks triggered uproar from MQM lawmakers, though the Deputy Speaker maintained she had not used any inappropriate language. Saadia then remarked that MQM had yet to formally distance itself from its founder. She also referred to PTI's founding leader as a 'convicted former prime minister,' prompting protests from PTI members. PPP's Rehana Leghari called for an end to hate-based politics and highlighted her colleague Heer Soho's marriage to an Urdu-speaking man as a symbol of unity. She reminded the House that regions like Thatta and Sujawal had historically contributed taxes to Karachi. MQM lady lawmaker, Bilqees Mukhtar, said the budget crushed the poor and claimed that the 18th Amendment had turned the province into a centralised authority. 'Unless local governments are empowered, the public will see no real change,' she asserted. She demanded more powers for the mayor's office. PPP's Dr Sikandar Shoro recommended initiating a crop insurance scheme and extending the IBA testing time for teachers. MPA Ali Ahmed praised the CM for a 'balanced budget' and shared that funds had been allocated for the Qatar Hospital, including the establishment of a trauma centre and a new 100-bed hospital in Orangi Town. PTI's lawmaker, Sajid Hussain denounced the budget as unrealistic and anti-poor. 'Schools remain closed. People are dying of hunger and disease despite a hefty budget,' he said, citing encroachments on dispensaries in his constituency. MQM's Aneel Kumar questioned the transparency of temple fund allocations and decried the lack of development schemes for non-Muslim communities in Umerkot, Tharparkar, and Mirpurkhas, where he claimed 90% of the population is non-Muslim. PPP's Syed Ameer Ali Shah thanked the leadership for a 'people-centric budget,' citing completed road projects and calling for the full activation of the DHQ Hospital. MPA Shah Hussain Shah Shirazi emphasised the need to ensure resources reach the 'tail-end' areas. Sher Muhammad Mughairi praised Pakistan Army's role in past wars and defended Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's international trips, saying they were aimed at presenting Pakistan's true image. He also requested the construction of storm water drains in his constituency. During PPP MPA Ajaz Khan Swati's speech, PTI lawmakers created a commotion. Some PPP members were heard referring to the PTI founder as 'Prisoner No. 420,' prompting a rebuke from the Deputy Speaker, who asked members to refrain from such labels and address the Chair respectfully. JI's Muhammad Farooq reminded the House of an advisory committee agreement that applied equally to all. He criticized PPP ministers for indirectly mocking the PTI leader. After a rebuttal by Saeed Ghani, Sharjeel Memon rose to say, 'Their prisoner isn't just No. 420.' The debate continued with contributions from multiple MPs, including Heer Soho, who described the budget as a landmark for Sindh's development. The session was adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
