KARACHI: Sindh Law Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar on Tuesday said that the government did not stop the National Accountability Bureau from carrying out its activities in Sindh, but it could only act against those employed with the federal government.

“No one has stopped NAB from working in Sindh. It can take action against the federal government’s employees now, and not against the ones employed with the Sindh government,” Mr Lanjar told reporters after chairing a meeting of the standing committee that is discussing a new provincial law on accountability.

To a query, he said he was not aware whether the Sindh governor gave his assent to the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 Sindh Repeal Bill, 2017, which was recently passed by the Sindh Assembly.

“So far the Sindh government has not received any communication in writing from Governor House,” he said.

He said the provincial legislature was empowered to form its own accountability law. He added the new law and existing anti-corruption rules were being reviewed to finalise a new set of provincial efforts against graft.

He claimed that the people of Sindh would get a better accountability system, which would be acceptable to everyone.

To another question, he hoped that the issue of extension in the tenure of the special policing powers of the paramilitary Rangers would be amicably resolved this time around.

Advocate General barrister Zamir Ghumro said various proposals were being reviewed regarding the matter.

He said all the provinces understood that anti-corruption laws fell within the ambit of the provincial governments, thus, only they could make laws to rein in such acts.

He said the Anti-Corruption Establishment had been asked to continue its working in accordance with the previous laws until the new law took shape.

Ministers Sohail Anwer Siyal, Nasir Shah and senior officials of the law, home and other departments attended the meeting.

Minimum wage

The Sindh Minimum Wages Board on Tuesday proposed to increase minimum wages from Rs14,000 to Rs15,000 per month with effect from July 1 in respect of adult unskilled and juvenile workers in industrial and commercial establishments across the province.

A handout issued by the provincial government said it had already been notified in extraordinary gazette of the Sindh government on July 10.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2017