Arbab assaulted again as PPP sails smooth
Bureau Report

KARACHI—The Sindh Assembly on Monday witnessed chaotic incidents during the oath-taking of former Chief Minister of the Province, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim who was attacked and slapped by the angry workers of Pakistan Peoples Party. Former CM Sindh and President Pakistan Muslim League-Sindh Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim when entered in the assembly from the back door under strict security, the workers of PPP raised strong slogans against him (Arbab).
The workers of PPP tried to besiege and attack the former chief minister of the province ,however, the security officials took him in the House. The President PML-Q Sindh when took oath, the workers of PPP present in the galleries of the House was busy in raising slogans against him. Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim after taking oath left the house immediately.
However, the workers of PPP again surrounded the former chief minister of the province and beaten him with shoes and also slapped. The police vehicle which provided security to Dr. Arbab Rahim also attacked, however, the security officials succeeded to get the former CM out of the building of the House safely. Meanwhile, Dr. Arbab Rahim has termed the incidents of misbehavior with him a part of a plan and said that it is against the norms of the democracy and the House.
Talking to media men, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim said that I was assured before arrival that the sanctity of the house would not be breached and minimum passes would be issued for watching the proceeding of the House. The former CM Sindh underlined that besides assurance given to him, a large number of people were present in the house and in the cafeteria who used abusive language against him. He said that he did not reach just due to the sanctity of the house.
Responding to a question, Dr. Arbab Rahim said that to exchange words is part of the politics and in the past I did not issue any statement on which basis I was tortured by PPP workers. Answering a question regarding protest over the incident, he said that to whom he would protest, adding that those who were behind in the incident would solve the issue themselves. The reaction showed that some elements did not like my decision to contest in the election and later joined the House as its member.
Commenting on the apology by some PPP leaders, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim said that the verbal apology is not acceptable and changing in the attitude is needed. I would not come in the House until foolproof security to be provided to me, added by former CM Sindh. Former CM Sindh has also expressed his gratitude over walkout by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Co-Chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari have taken serious notice of the incident of Sindh Assembly and ordered investigation of the incident. According to details, former Sindh Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim entered the Sindh Assembly in the beefed up security from the backdoor, to take oath as member of SA, whence some Political workers shouted at former CM despite warnings by Speaker Syed Muzzaffar Hussain Shah. Some agitated political workers manhandled Arbab Ghulam Rahim when he left Sindh Assembly soon after taking oath, and the police vehicle deployed for his security was also stoned.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has boycotted the session of Sindh Assembly following mishandling by PPP workers to former Chief Minister Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim.
The oath taking session for speaker and deputy speaker started two and half hours late.