Amid PTI boycott, Murad winds up pre-budget debate in PA.

KARACHI -- Amid boycott of proceedings by lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday told the Sindh Assembly that the provincial government was working with the army, intelligence agencies and the police to start a major clean-up operation against dacoits in riverine areas of the province.

The chief minister also expressed his displeasure over what he described as 'interference' in domains of executive and legislature by judiciary.

As Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani allowed the chief minister to conclude the pre-budget debate, PTI's parliamentary party leader Khurram Sher Zaman rose and sought the chair's permission to speak on a point of order. As the chair denied him permission, PTI members immediately walked out from the house.

Concluding the pre-budget discussion, the chief minister said that he had spoken with the chief ministers of Balochistan and Punjab to hold a meeting to chalk out a strategy to launch a vigorous cleanup operation. 'Preparations to launch a massive operation against dacoits are in full swing,' he added.

Referring to the growing cases of kidnapping for ransom by dacoits in the riverine area, better known as katcha area, the chief minister said katcha area started from the sea up to areas in Kashmore.

'The most affected area at the tri-border of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab stretched around 60 miles,' he said, adding that the plan had been chalked out to resolve the issue for once and all.

He said that the dacoits had a tough time when an efficient police officer was posted in the affected area. 'The provincial government will engage efficient police officers in the operation against the dacoits,' he added.

Interference of judiciary

Talking about the introduction of the pre-budget discussion in the assembly rules, the CM said its purpose was to incorporate proposals of assembly members.

He said judiciary was 'interfering' in executive and legislature's domains.

The country would progress and flourish when the three pillars of state - legislature, executive, and judiciary - would work in their constitutional domain, he added.

'The interference in each other's domain has affected the genuine uplift of the country,' he added.

Mr Shah recalled that the provincial assembly, through legislation, had changed the name of Gambat Institute to Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jilani Institute of Medical Sciences but a court undid it. 'I have directed my legal team to prepare an appeal,' he...