The first session of the newly elected House of the Sindh Assembly convened today to administer the oath to members, with Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani presiding over the proceedings.
On Saturday afternoon, 147 newly elected members of the assembly took oath, while the crucial election for the positions of speaker and deputy speaker is scheduled to be held tomorrow.
Deputy Speaker Raheela Leghari administered the oath to Speaker Durrani, who has also been elected as an MPA.
As per details, 147 members of the Sindh Assembly were administered the oath today by Speaker Durrani, while nine PTI-backed independent candidates who recently joined the Sunni Ittehad Council, one member of the JI and three from the GDA chose to abstain from the oath. In total, 13 opposition members of the assembly did not take oath.
Moreover, PPP’s Nadir Magsi is occupied with the Cholistan Jeep Rally, which is why he could not attend the session.
Among those who started reaching the assembly early were MQM-P's Sikandar Khatoon, who has been elected for the first time, alongside fellow party representative Iftikhar Ahmed.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) holds a commanding lead with 114 seats in the House of 130 members, followed by the MQM with 36 seats, and smaller representations from the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Jamaat-e-Islami with three and two, respectively. However, it's notable that the Election Commission of Pakistan has halted notifications for two seats reserved for women and one seat for minorities, leading to GDA and Jamaat-e-Islami members abstaining from taking the oath today.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani told the media outside the assembly hall that those protesting should be ashamed of themselves, warning that the House’s insult would not be tolerated. He also disclosed that measures have been taken to deal with the protesters.
Speaking on his arrival in the assembly, CM nominee Murad Ali Shah said the country is facing numerous challenges to solve, which everybody would have to work in tandem. He said both the provincial and federal governments faced a huge challenge.
He also vowed to take the oath despite protests by opposition parties, adding that everybody had the right to protest as long as they remained peaceful. Furthermore, he said his party had bagged more seats than expected.
Earlier, on his arrival, Shah exchanged greetings with the lawmakers at their seats.
Speaker nominee Owais Qadir Shah said every problem can be solved by working together, adding that the House would be run smoothly. He vowed that public welfare legislation would be enacted.
The session was then adjourned till 11am on Sunday for the election of the speaker and deputy speaker. Durrani said the candidates could withdraw their nomination papers until the start of Sunday’s session at 11am.
As per the schedule issued by the speaker, the nomination papers could be obtained till 3pm on Saturday and submitted till 5pm. The documents would be scrutinized till 6pm and the list of approved nominees issued by 7pm.
Opposition parties protest
Meanwhile, 11 PTI-backed MPAs have decided not to participate in today's session, and the opposition alliance, which includes GDA, PTI, and Jamaat-e-Islami, has announced a protest outside the assembly.
To curb the protest, the police has set up pickets and barriers on Sharea Faisal. Later, the police arrested 10 workers of the Qaumi Awami Tehreek for protesting outside the assembly, and two JUI supporters from Karsaz. It has also blocked Sharea Faisal with water tankers, containers and checkposts to contain the protest, due to which thousands of vehicles could be seen stranded on the road.
Traffic flow on the Hyderabad motorway has been suspended, while JUI supporters have started reaching Karsaz carrying party flags. Moreover, PTI supporters also started gathering outside the press club along with workers of the MQM-Haqiqi.
Security arrangements
The security apparatus is on high alert for Saturday's session, with strict arrangements in place. More than 1,000 personnel have been deployed, including officials with water canons and shell guns as well as women officers, around the Sindh Assembly premises.
Additionally, measures such as a ban on sit-in protests in the Red Zone have been enforced, with authorities warning of strict action against any violation the of law.
A traffic plan has also been prepared on the occasion of the Sindh Assembly session, as per the police.
