KARACHI, Aug 28: Treasury and opposition members in the City Council on Thursday again sank their differences to pour scorn on the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation and called for handing over the utility organisation back to the government.
The members noted with concern that the ever-deepening power crisis affected every segment of society. They said that frequent and prolonged power breakdowns perturbed the normal lives of the citizens and urged the government to take back the control of the KESC.
The issue was raised by Awam Dost panel member Anwar Baloch. Surprisingly, the opposition member’s move was backed by the treasury when Haq Parast leader Masood Mehmud supported the contention of Mr Baloch.
Subsequently, a suggestion was made in the house on both sides that a joint resolution be moved in the house for unanimous adoption.
At the outset of the proceedings of the house, presided over by Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, Al-Khidmat leader Rafiq Ahmed tried to table a resolution on the campus killings which he termed part of a series of terrorist acts being carried out by the elements responsible for the May 12 mayhem in Karachi.
Mr Ahmed described the situation as disturbing and against the interest of the city. He called for taking serious steps for restoring peace to the city. His contention was backed by Abdul Razzak.
However, the convener dismissed his submission and on the request of the leader of the house, Asif Siddiqui, allowed the house members to offer fateha for the departed souls.
Upon this, Al-Khidmat panel leader staged a token walkout from the house. However, on the persuasion of some members, they ended their protest and joined the house proceedings.
Zardari’s candidature
Later, in a rare show of unity, a joint resolution signed by both Haq Parast and Awam Dost leaders, including Asif Siddiqui, Arshad Qureshi, Juman Darwan and Yusuf Nazim, and moved in the house supported the nomination of Asif Ali Zardari as president.
Mr Darwan lauded the statesmanship of Mr Zardari, saying that he had played a vital role in steering the country out of a grave crisis it was faced with after the assassination of the PPP co-chairperson when anti-Pakistan slogans were raised in Sindh.
“It was the sagacity of Mr Zardari that the situation was brought under control when Sindh was burning,” he said.
Reciprocating, Altaf Siddiqui said it was the leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Husain, who came out in support of Mr Zardari because he considered him as a symbol of federation.
Mr Siddiqui told the house that the MQM chief had played an important role in the reconciliation process of the country.
When the resolution was tabled for voting, it was adopted unanimously. Al-Khidmat panel members neither supported, nor opposed the resolution.
The house also adopted three other resolutions: One resolution pertained to the approval of changes in grades and promotions of computer officers and operators in various departments of the council secretariat, naib nazim office and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.A resolution seeking amendment in the Conduct of Rules of Business of Zila Council and the City District Government was also adopted.
The opposition said the house committee constituted for this purpose be allowed to finalise its recommendation.
Mr Asif Siddiqui did not agree to the contention of the opposition members, saying that the house committee that included opposition members had met twice to formulate its recommendations. But, he regretted, the opposition members did not turn up at the second meeting despite the fact that the date of the meeting was decided by them.
The opposition members maintained that since the issue was very important, the committee should be given more time to debate it.
The convener dismissed the submissions and put the resolution to the vote. The opposition protested and staged a walkout. However, in the absence of the opposition, the resolution was adopted unanimously.
In a separate resolution, the council adopted a resolution for providing free medical facilities in the hospitals of the city government to journalists covering the city government proceedings. The facilities would also be available to all city council members.
The convener adjourned the session to meet again on Sept 1.
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