KARACHI (MNN); Proceedings in the Sindh Assembly were thrown into chaos on Friday as a heated confrontation among lawmakers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) escalated, resulting in the suspension of one party member and the adjournment of the session.
Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi stated that he would brief MQM-P Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui about the incident following reports of threats exchanged between party members. Khurshidi added that tensions between MPA Rana Shaukat and MPA Shariq Jamal had eased, and that Rana Shaukat would present his position in the House on Saturday. When asked if Engineer Usman would apologize on the floor of the House, Khurshidi said he could not comment as party leadership had not yet reached out to him.
The dispute came to light during the assembly session when MQM-P MPA Rana Shaukat from Hyderabad alleged that he had received death threats outside the assembly from MNA Iqbal Mehsud of the PSP group and MPA Shariq Jamal. Shaukat warned that the Speaker would be held responsible if any harm came to him. His remarks triggered a commotion in the House.
As Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Home Minister Zia Lanjar rose to speak, MQM-P’s Mustafa Kamal group lawmaker Engineer Usman reportedly issued threats against Rana Shaukat and other lawmakers. The situation escalated further after a video surfaced showing Engineer Usman threatening, over the phone, to have the opposition leader physically assaulted.
The Speaker, along with Zia Lanjar and Sharjeel Memon, reacted strongly and summoned police to the assembly premises to restore order. Amid the chaos, Khurshidi appeared unable to control the situation, repeatedly responding to the Speaker’s instructions by saying, “You run the business.”
Ultimately, the Speaker suspended Engineer Usman’s membership and adjourned the session until Saturday.
