November 18, 2003	Tuesday	Ramazan 22, 1424

KARACHI, Nov 17: Treasury benches in the Sindh Assembly on Monday frustrated opposition’s attempt to discuss the issue of Indus water flow downstream Kotri.

Leader of the opposition Nisar Khuhro, on a point of order, had sought to get his adjournment motion on the issue to be taken up out of turn by suspending all other business under Rule 211.

His contention was opposed by law minister who alleged that the opposition was trying to run away from discussion on law and order.

Mr Khuhro retorted by reminding him that he himself was the mover of the motion on law and order. It is regrettable that the Treasury benches, which had supported the Sindh Assembly resolutions against the Greater Thal Canal and Kalabagh Dam and had also taken a position on water accord, is now dragging its feet from the issue, he said, and added that when the government was dragging its feet now, how could one expect it to defend the case of Sindh in the NFC.

He termed it ‘unfortunate’ that while allocation for the GTC had been committed, the issue of downstream Kotri had not been settled despite passage of many years. He asserted his point that government should undertake study on its own.

Ms Humeira Alwani’s privilege motion against health secretary was sent to the privilege committee of the House after Speaker held it in order. The committee was advised to examine the situation and make recommendations.

A report of the special committee on the government bill on appointments, powers, functions, salaries, allowances and privileges of special assistant to the chief minister was also laid before the House. The committee has proposed certain amendments to the bill.

Later, talking to newsmen, deputy parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Nasrullah Shaji expressed concern over continued extortion by unscrupulous people which, he said, had made life of common man very difficult.

QUESTION HOUR: Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar has refuted claims that doctors at Spencer’s Eye Hospital were compelling poor patients to purchase substandard contact lenses, smuggled in from India, necessarily from the outlet adjacent to the hospital.

His denial came in his written reply to a question by the PPP’s Ms Nasreen Chandio who had also alleged that the Indian contact lenses were being sold as ‘US-made’ at Rs1600 as against their actual price of Rs300 per pair.

The CM said that a policy regarding IOL (Intia Ocular Lens) implantation was introduced at the hospital with the consultation and consensus involving all the ophthalmic surgeons and higher authorities on July 7 to prevent any malpractice.

Since than, he claimed, all the ophthalmic surgeons were at liberty to prescribe any of eight lenses and patients were also free to purchase the prescribed lenses from a shop of their choice. The lens, he claimed, was being sold with the name of DGR whose sole distributors in Pakistan were M/s Aziz IOL Corporation. Replying to another question from the same member about the use of expired kits for HIV and Hepatitis B test in the Lyari General Hospital, the CM informed the House that out of 600 tests, 225 had been done before the expiry date while 176 after that date. Chief secretary has ordered an inquiry into the matter Dr Muzaffar Siddiqui of the Lyari General Hospital and DDO Dr Abdul Salam. The CM told the House that with the approval by competent authority, Dr Altaf Ahmed Shaikh, in-charge of the Blood Transfusion Authority, had been placed under suspension.

Responding to a question by Ms Humeira Alwani, the chief minister informed the House that no case of gastro-enteritis was reported from health facilities in Thatta district during the recent rain emergency.

In response to a question by Ms Shamim Ara Panhwar, the CM said there was not shortage of medicines in the basic health units in Mirpurkhas district. However, the units faced shortage of medical and paramedical staff. He said that there were 27 dispensaries being operated under local arrangement.