Water, drainage issues raised in PA
Opposition MPAs raise the issues of lack of water supply during heatwave and cleaning of drains before the rains.
Sindh Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution condemning the armed attack and arson at the residence of Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar in Moro.
During the session, several bills were also passed, and members raised multiple call-attention notices on matters of public importance.
MQM MPA Qurat-ul-Ain raised the issue of drainage before the upcoming monsoon season in Karachi. She stressed the need to clean major nallas. Saeed Ghani responded that the Sindh government allocates large funds to KMC for cleaning of nallas. This time, KMC demanded Rs800 million. Work is ongoing to fix the flow of large nallas mostly clogged by plastic bags.
Ghani said that 45 major nallas of the city will be cleared in June.
Jamaat-e-Islami Muhammad Farooq raised concerns over severe water shortage in his PS-91 constituency. He said that while there is no water shortage at hydrants, water is now sold through contracts.
During the proceedings, Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani presented the resolution condemning the attack on residence of Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar in Moro. He stated that while everyone has the right to protest, no law or constitution in the world grants anyone the right to block roads or set homes on fire.
The Council of Common Interests (CCI) has made it clear that no new canal can be constructed without the consensus of all provinces, some individuals continue to protest and create unrest, Ghani said.
Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi, Jamaat-e-Islami's parliamentary leader Muhammad Farooq, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-eInsaf (PTI) MPA Owais Ahmed Khan also supported the resolution and called the incident deeply regrettable. All members stood from their seats in support when the resolution was passed. During the session, PPP MPA Saadia Javed presented a resolution condemning the attack in Khuzdar, which was unanimously approved by the House.
Countering narrative of extremism and terrorism
The House unanimously passed a bill to establish a Center for Excellence to combat extremism and terrorism. The bill was presented by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. MQM member Sabir Qaimkhani suggested sending the bill to the standing committee. However, Zia Lanjar stressed the importance of the bill, and said similar centers being established in other provinces. The Sindh Assembly passed an amendment bill for Aror University of Art in Sukkur and appointed Taha Ahmed and Adil Askari to the Board of Governors of Nazir Hussain University.
Several call-attention notices addressed public concerns. MQM's Rashid Khan highlighted the illegal occupation of 1,500 Workers Welfare Board flats in Hyderabad, demanding their allocation to deserving laborers. Labour Minister Shahid Theem stated a committee was formed to ensure merit-based distribution.
MQM's Fauzia Hameed raised the issue of age relaxation for youth in government jobs, advocating for similar relief as approved by the National Assembly. Zia Lanjar noted the Sindh government previously offered a 15-year relaxation, later reduced to five years by Supreme Court order. He welcomed the proposal to increase the age limit for commissioned officers from 30 to 35, allowing five attempts, calling it worthy of consideration.
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