Friday, March 20, 2009

Balochistan to discuss ‘actions against Pakhtuns’ in Karachi





QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly admitted for debate on Friday an adjournment motion to discuss what was called Muttihada Qaumi Movement’s coercive actions against Pakhtuns aimed at forcing them out of Karachi.

The session was presided over by Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani. The motion was tabled by PML-Q’s Jaffar Khan Mandokhel who cited incidents of 1985, 1994, May 12, 2007, and July 2008 which forced Pakhtuns out of business in MQM-dominated areas in Karachi and drove thousands of them out of the city. He accused the Sindh government of keeping quiet on the issue in order not to offend its coalition partner.

Senior Minister Maulana Wasay supported the motion and said that targeting a particular ethnic group did not bode well for national integrity. The speaker allowed a two-hour debate on the motion on Saturday.

Earlier, the house approved a resolution moved by Minister for Irrigation Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, praising the federal government, political parties, media and civil society for resolving the judicial crisis in an amicable manner. It also appreciated the role played by Chief Minister Nawab Raisani in settling the issue.

Home Minister Mir Zafarullah Zehri assured that complaints about kidnapping of Nadra officials would be investigated.

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