KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session was marred by an intense stir by the opposition on Friday. Chaos erupted in the assembly when members of the opposition, mainly from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), vehemently protested the contentious results of the intermediate examinations conducted under the Karachi Board of Intermediate Education.
Many Karachi students unexpectedly failed, sparking outrage. When the interim speaker denied an immediate discussion, opposition frustration boiled over, with members shouting slogans, protesting and tearing up copies of the agenda in a dramatic display of dissent.
The Sindh Assembly session was convened on Friday after a long pause. As proceedings began under the chairmanship of Vice President Naveed Anthony, opposition members sought permission to discuss a point of order.
However, the acting spokesperson warned that they could hold a debate on his point after the Excise Department’s question hour. Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla started answering questions when the opposition started insisting that they be allowed to speak first. The spokesperson told MQM member Dr Fauzia that if she does not want to ask anything during the question hour, the session will continue without addressing her query, to which she said that the opposition wants to talk about the important issue of Karachi first. .
The Spokesperson insisted that the matter could be discussed later. Frustrated by the president’s stance, opposition members began to protest, chanting slogans in the house. MQM assembly member Ijazul Haq said that children of urban Sindh are crying as many of them who passed with A1 grade in Matric exams were declared failed in Intermediate.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the medical test results, stating that it is about the future of the children of Karachi, about which the MQM-P cannot remain silent. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar urged Ijazul Haq to take his seat, saying the point was already heard in the house.
Amid the assembly uproar, the Excise Minister announced that property tax collection is no longer the responsibility of the Excise Department as it has been transferred to local government district councils in 2023. Meanwhile, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar introduced Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. Institute for Democracy and Federalism Bill of 2024. The acting president referred the bill to the relevant standing committee for review, and a report is expected to be presented to the house within ten days.
The Sindh Assembly recently passed an adjournment motion moved by PPP member Heer Ismail Soho, focusing on improving the quality of mobile phone calls and internet services in the province. Debate on this motion is scheduled for Tuesday, coinciding with Private Members’ Day, with a dedicated time slot.
On the other hand, a privilege motion presented by PPP member Marvi Fasih could not be considered due to her absence. The motion was brought after the Undersecretary of the Department of Special Education, Taha Farooqui, allegedly displayed a harsh and aggressive attitude towards her.
Once the agenda was finalized, the acting speaker adjourned the Sindh Assembly session till three pm on Monday. Speaking to the media after the session, opposition leader Ali Khursheedi said that the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) results were an eye-opener about discrimination in all educational boards of Sindh since the last eight years.
He alleged that the Sindh government was technically exploiting children in urban Sindh.
The PPP clique does not want students in urban areas to study and progress, which should embarrass the PPP ministers and mayor. Khursheedi blamed the ruling party for first destroying Karachi’s infrastructure and now trying to destroy education here.
