HYDERABAD, April 8: About half a dozen PPP-backed Awam Dost Panel (ADP) members walked out of the district council in protest against the behaviour of Haq Parast Group members on Tuesday. The manhandling of Dr Ghulam Arbab Rahim in the Sindh Assembly kept reverberating in the house.

The session was adjourned sine die by convener Zafar Ali Rajput on the completion of agenda. After unanimous adoption of two resolutions, the chair allowed debate over manhandling of Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on a point of order raised by Nasir Baloch who expressed disappointment over the incident in Sindh Assembly involving some women MPAs, also. He said some elements were keen on destroying reconciliation process between political parties and added that every member was highly regarded.

The ADP’s Zahida Memon said the PPP was not responsible for the incident taking place in Sindh Assembly. “As you sow, so shall you reap”, she said. She further said that in a similar incident some rival members had misbehaved with her but no one condemned it.

Deploring the incident, Malik Rafiq of the PML-backed Khushhal Pakistan Panel (KPP) demanded arrest of those responsible for manhandling former chief minister. He said sanctity of the house was involved adding if today Qaim Ali Shah was Chief Minister, perhaps tomorrow he could be in Opposition and may receive same treatment.

He said not only Arbab was manhandled but people also misbehaved with the MQM’s women legislators upon which an ADP member exchanged hot words with him.

Convenor asked Rafiq to cool his tempers down as he called the PPP workers over and above their co-chairperson Zardari who was making efforts of reconciliation.

Sajida Baloch praising Asif Ali Zardari for his policy of rapprochement said that until Saturday atmosphere in the Council was quite friendly. “Although we are supposed to be non-political but we often indulge in politics which was wrong”, she said and added understanding will help people.

Mehboob Abro rapped Arbab Ghulam Rahim for his arrogant attitude during the tenure of chief minister. He said Arbab used abusive language against his party colleague’s wife and did not hesitate in verbally attacking Benazir.

Yamin Soomro also lashed at Arbab for using unwarranted language against Benazir Bhutto. “Arbab is in the habit of speaking against women”, he said while asking the MQM as to what was the need for the boycott. He walked out of the House along with the ADP members on being asked to refrain from discussing Arbab as everybody knew who he was.

Though, some HPG members tried to persuade him but they continued to protest outside the Council Hall. The house then deferred some resolutions of the ADP members for next session. It adopted two resolutions of Hussain Bux Hussaini dealing with reconstitution of District Zakat bodies and repair of lined channel’s embankments.

Javed Kardar’s resolutions were passed by the house for setting up women skill development centre and digging of newly constructed streets and roads.

He expressed concern over the HDA and Wasa for digging up the recently built asphalt roads. He said funds used in constructing these roads were being destroyed and credibility of district government tainted. He called for binding these departments to refrain from such digging practice and if inevitable they should re-carpet the roads. He asked for forming a committee to keep vigil.

He, through second resolution, called for setting up women skill development centre and asked the district government to set-up such institute as these would help women get better job opportunities.