Monday, April 7, 2008, Rabi Ul Awal 29,1429    

Khuhro, Shehla elected Speaker, Dy Speaker of Sindh Assembly

Karachi—Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and Shehla Raza of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) were declared elected unopposed as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively of Sindh Assembly.

They were declared elected unopposed by Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah after scrutiny of their nomination papers by him.

After declaring them elected unopposed Speaker Muzaffar Hussain Shah extended felicitations to both. On the occasion Muzaffar Shah wished them all well and hoped that they would fulfil their responsibilities as custodians of the House.

On the occasion Speaker-elect Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said that he would run the business of the House with all fairness. Shehla Raza said that she would strive to get women their due rights.

Meanwhile Speaker Muzaffar Hussain Shah will administer the oath of office of Speaker Sindh Assembly to Nisar Ahmed Khuhro at a special session of the Assembly on Monday.

After assuming the office of Speaker, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro will administer the oath of office to Deputy Speaker Shahla Raza.

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) withdrew its candidates for the posts of speaker and deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly, announcing its unconditional support to the PPP candidates for the two slots.

According to Geo News, this was disclosed by the member MQM Central Coordination in London, Mustafa Azizabadi. He said a decision to this regard was for the sake of continuation of the reconciliation process, which the Rabita Committee felt was the need of the hour.

Talking to newsmen after filing nomination papers Shehla told a questioner that she will perform her responsibilities as required by the august House of Sindh Assembly.

Talking to journalists at Sindh Assembly Building, Chief Minister nominated Syed Qaim Ali Shah welcomed the MQM for not filing nomination papers for the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker and said that new traditions are being set. He referred to the visit of PPP’s Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to MQM’s Headquarters “90” and said their talks were held in a conducive environment.

Similarly the committee formed for talks with MQM also held fruitful dialogue with Muttaheda on Saturday and earlier on Friday night. “We all wants to work for the betterment of people of Sindh and we can do this by joining hands together”.

To a question, Qaim Ali Shah said he did not had any knowledge as to what happened with Arbab Ghulam Rahim at Sindh Assembly building. But the fact is that a big crowd had entered the assembly. He said caretaker government is still in power and it was its responsibility to take proper security measures. However, he said, he has ordered an inquiry into the incident.—APP