Political unity in the face of Governor’s Rule reports

Published March 13, 2015
The army chief's anger over the state of affairs in Sindh had fuelled speculation about imposition of  Governor’s Rule.—APP/File
The army chief's anger over the state of affairs in Sindh had fuelled speculation about imposition of Governor’s Rule.—APP/File
Blindfolded and handcuffed, senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Amir Khan is being led to an antiterrorism court on Thursday. The paramilitary Rangers informed the court that the 28 suspects arrested in a pre-dawn raid on the MQM headquarters a day earlier would be grilled for 90 days.—PPI
Blindfolded and handcuffed, senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Amir Khan is being led to an antiterrorism court on Thursday. The paramilitary Rangers informed the court that the 28 suspects arrested in a pre-dawn raid on the MQM headquarters a day earlier would be grilled for 90 days.—PPI

KARACHI: Political parties in Sindh closed ranks as reports of Governor’s Rule that had started to do the rounds after the last apex committee meeting in Karachi began to circulate again following the pre-dawn raid by the Rangers on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement headquarters, it emerged on Thursday.

The resentment and anger expressed by the army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif, in the apex committee meeting held on Feb 16 over the state of affairs in Sindh had fuelled speculation about imposition of Governor’s Rule.

However, not only the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, but also a party like the Awami National Party that currently does not have representation in the Sindh Assembly opposed any such step.

Take a look: Profile: Dr Ishratul Ibad, the sole survivor

They also believed that although there were elements who did not like to see democratic governments functioning, the peaceful holding of the Senate elections indicated that the democratic system was taking root in the country and moving forward.

The PPP’s Saeed Ghani, recently nominated as his party’s parliamentary party leader in the Senate, said that Governor’s Rule could only be imposed on the advice of the prime minister and had to be endorsed by a joint sitting of parliament within six months. He believed that parliament would not endorse any such move.

“Besides, when our army is engaged in the war against terrorism, it would be difficult to concentrate and continue to get support from political parties,” he said.

He said imposing Governor’s Rule in Sindh would be an unwise decision.

Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani said that no political party would like to see derailment of an elected set-up unless the situation became ungovernable for the representative government.

MQM leader Syed Faisal Subzwari said that his party believed in democracy. “That’s why we stress that democratic governments operate and govern in a just and effective manner. It would negate all the non-democratic ideas automatically,” he said cautiously.

Senior leader of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Functional Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi aka Yunus Sain wondered what was the need to impose Governor’s Rule in Sindh when ‘the establishment’ was already given a legal cover to conduct a ruthless operation.

Sindh PML-N president Ismail Rahu said that his party had no plan to impose Governor’s Rule in the province.

He said that his party wanted that every elected government discharge its responsibilities and deliver to the people during its tenure.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Samar Ali Khan felt that the elected government had failed to deliver to the masses and it was a favourable situation for imposition of Governor’s Rule. However, he said that it was not the solution.

“In principle, we do not favour [imposition of] Governor’s Rule,” he said.

Bashir Jan of the ANP said that Governor’s Rule or even martial law was not the solution to any problem since only a democratic government could provide a permanent solution to all issues.

He said the ongoing operation against targeted killers and other criminals was progressing well but there was a need to make it more effective.

Published in Dawn March 13th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.