KARACHI, Feb 26: Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Muzzaffar Hussain Shah has regretted that irrelevant issues are raised and debated much of the time the House is in session , and urged members belonging to the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal to present a bill for the restoration of student unions.

"I assure you that I'll support the bill and try my best to get it passed from the assembly," he said while speaking at a ceremony held on the concluding day of three-day book fair organized by Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) students of the NED University.

During his visit to the book fair, being held at Sadequain Lawn, he appreciated IJT's efforts towards the promotion of education and provision of low-cost books to students.

Mr Shah advised students that apart from academic activities, they should also engage themselves in extracurricular activities which were vital for mental and physical growth of youths.

Naib Nazim of Karachi Tariq Hasan, speaking on the occasion, lauded the IJT students' regular holding of book fairs and also involving students in other constructive extracurricular activities. He held out the assurance that the city government would continue its patronage and support to such organizations.

He said that the city government's main emphasis was provision of basic education and health facilities to the citizens. In this regard, he added, role and contribution of student organizations were commendable.

In his speech, Nasarullah Shaji, MMA leader in Sindh Assembly, criticized the administration of NED University, especially its Vice Chancellor Engr Abul Kalam, for not allowing students to hold book fairs on the campus. He said his party would continue to oppose appointment of such persons in educational institutions.

He was of the view that when people from all walks of life had the opportunity to elect their own representatives, why should not students be given the right to form their organizations to get their problems solved.

Chairman of the Sadequain Academy Khawaja Shahid and Nazim of IJT Hafiz Muzammil Abdul Rehman also spoke on the occasion. A large number of students of Gulshan College, Sir Syed Engineering University, NED University, Federal Urdu University and other educational institutions visited the book fair. -PPI