KARACHI: Based on its numerical strength in the Sindh Assembly, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party rejected on Tuesday two opposition resolutions regarding recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in Sindh’s colleges and establishment of a trauma centre in each district.

The proceedings on Tuesday, which was a private members’ day, saw a token walkout by Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmakers when the resolution urging the provincial government to fill vacant teaching and non-teaching posts in colleges was rejected by a majority of the house.

Saifuddin Khalid, the mover of the resolution, informed the house that there was a shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff not only in the newly established colleges in Korangi, Gadap, Malir and Baldia Town but also in reputable institutions like Sir Syed Girls College, PECHS College, etc.

He said that in many areas college buildings had been constructed over eight years ago but they did not have any teachers. “If colleges in Karachi do not have proper staff, one could imagine what would be the situation of educational institutions in interior of Sindh and other remote areas of the province.”

Endorsing the resolution, MQM’s Sabir Qaimkhani said that the standard of education in Sindh was falling because of vacant posts of teachers and other technical staff from primary up to college level.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had won the heart of the people of Hyderabad by announcing a public sector university in the second largest city of Sindh.

Dr Zafar Kamali of the MQM also supported the resolution and invited the prime minister to Mirpurkhas to open a university in that city.

Education Minister Jam Mehtab Dahar said that the lawmaker was justified by pointing out the shortage of teaching and other technical staff in colleges everywhere in his resolution.

MPAs show rare solidarity in forming a body to increase their pay and perks

He claimed that the shortage had earlier persisted but now under a new policy the government had taken due care and provided the required staff. “Under the new policy one subject specialist has been ensured in every college with filling of vacant posts of lecturers.”

He said that the lecturers were being recruited through the Sindh Public Service Commission. It was made obligatory that after recruitment they had to serve in their respective areas for at least five years and their services would be terminated if they were found to be involved in using influence for their transfer.

The minister said that every teacher would work for at least 42 hours in a week.

He said efforts were being made to make functional all new colleges and filling all vacant posts of lectures by August 2017 when the new educational year would commence.

The minister’s response, however, did not satisfy Mr Khalid who insisted on his resolution. Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani put the resolution to a vote and the house rejected it. This led to a token walkout by the MQM lawmakers.

Resolution seeking trauma centres rejected

In his resolution, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional lawmaker Nand Kumar asked the provincial government to establish well-equipped modern trauma centres in each district headquarters in Sindh for providing immediate treatment, particularly to the victims of accidents and other emergencies.

The resolution, however, failed to muster support of the house despite speeches from four opposition lawmakers belonging to the MQM, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and PML-F in its favour.

Health Minister Dr Sikander Mandhro in his statement pointed out that besides upgrading all district headquarters hospitals, the government had set up 42 trauma centres in the province.

He said 25 of the trauma centres were not functional while others would start functioning within two months. In addition to this, an ambulance service, with helpline 1036, was being launched with 350 vehicles in the province and a memorandum of understanding had been signed in this regard.

He said that there was no need for this resolution.

Mr Kumar said a huge loss of life would have been avoided after the Sehwan shrine blast had there been a trauma centre.

PTI’s Dr Seema Zia said that setting up of a trauma centre required trained and capable staff and not only a building.

PML-F’s Mehtab Rashdi said that there was no trauma centre on the Superhighway, National Highway and Indus Highway.

MQM’s Dr Kamali said there was no trauma centre in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas.

However, the house rejected the resolution.

Body formed to revisit health policy Another resolution declaring health a fundamental right as per the UN Charter and need to formulate a health policy was tabled by Ms Rashdi. However, she did not press the resolution after the statement of the health minister that the government was pursuing its own health policy.

On his suggestion, the house formed a four-member committee comprising Nisar Khuhro, Ms Rashdi, Dr Zia and Syed Sardar Ahmad to revisit the policy.

Another resolution of MQM’s Kamran Akhtar called upon the provincial government to issue health cards to all ‘living legends’ who served society, particularly professional journalists.

MQM’s Mohammad Hussain backed the resolution and said that the prime minister, while visiting Thatta and Hyderabad, had announced health cards for the people. He asked why the Sindh government was not initiating such a scheme.

Senior Minister Khuhro said the PPP did not believe in mere slogans. He appreciated the services of the artists and journalists for society and said the prime minister had made many tall promises; the health card scheme was one of them.

He suggested that the resolution be referred to the standing committee on health to consider a proposal to introduce the health cards in the province. Mr Akhtar agreed with the suggestion and the chair sent it to the standing committee concerned.

Before Speaker Durrani, who called the house to order at 11.10am, called it a day at 2pm, MQM’s Deewan Chand Chawla stood on a point of order and drew the attention of the house towards a recent increase in the pay and perks of the members of the National Assembly. He said the pay of Sindh legislators was not increased.

Senior Minister Khuhro said the last time the honoraria and allowances of MPAs were revised was on March 15, 2013.

He suggested a select committee to review the salaries and allowance structure of the MPAs. The house unanimously approved the committee comprising Mr Khuhro, Dr Mandhro, Nasir Hussain Shah of the PPP, Heer Soho of the MQM and Ms Rashdi of the PML-F.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017