KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a joint resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

The resolution, jointly moved by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi, was also supported by members of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami.

Both the law minister and opposition leader read the resolution on the floor of the House.

Speaking on the resolution, the law minister said Pakistan and China had completed 75 years of diplomatic ties. “The friendship between the two countries is historic in nature, and CPEC has played a key role in further strengthening this bond,” he said.

Opposition and treasury lawmakers unanimously adopt resolution, terming ties between Islamabad and Beijing historic; house approves bill to give provincial govt complete control over JPMC, NICH

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said Pakistan and China had stood by each other through every trial over the past 75 years.

“This friendship is often described as deeper than the sea, higher than the Himalayas, and sweeter than honey. China is our brother and neighbour,” he added.

Mr Memon said that Pakistan-China ties grew stronger during the tenures of former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, as well as President Asif Ali Zardari. “The geographical importance of our relations became even more prominent during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s era,” he said.

He recalled that President Zardari made China the destination for most of his foreign visits during his first term and had visited the country three times in recent years. “Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has also consistently emphasised promoting Pak-China friendship,” he said, adding that the relationship was important not only for the region but also for the world.

Mr Memon said the foundation of CPEC was laid during President Zardari’s tenure and that Pakistan had always sought cordial relations with all neighbours.

He also highlighted the president’s decision to introduce Chinese language in basic education to boost trade ties and people-to-people contact. “Large-scale trade with China is taking place through Karachi. I support this resolution. It is a unanimous resolution of both the government and the opposition,” he said.

Legislation

The House also unanimously passed the Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and National Institute of Child Health, Karachi (Regulation and Management) Bill, 2026; the Sindh Medical and Dental Council Bill, 2026; and the Sindh Workers Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Under the JPMC and NICH Regulation and Management Bill, 2026, complete control of both hospitals will rest with the provincial government.

Question Hour

During Question Hour, Religious Affairs Minister Riaz Shah Sherazi said there was currently no provincial policy to provide free Haj for the poor, but assured the house that he would speak with the provincial government to allocate funds for the purpose.

He was responding to MQM-Pakistan MPA Qurat-ul-Ain, who asked whether the government was considering a free Haj scheme for the poor.

MQM-P MPA Fauzia Hameed suggested setting up a helpline or complaint cell for pilgrims traveling from Sindh.

She also proposed that, like National Assembly members, Sindh Assembly members should be sent for Haj.

The religious affairs minister said he would raise the matter with the federal minister for religious affairs. “Facilities for pilgrims are provided by the federal government. We will write to the Centre that people from Sindh should also be sent for Haj,” he said.

MQM-P’s Ejazul Haq asked whether a mechanism could be developed to deliver Zakat directly to the homes of deserving people.

The minister replied that a mechanism already existed through committees formed at the local and town levels.

Call attention notice

In a call-attention notice, PTI MPA Shabbir Qureshi said illegal construction was ongoing on the green belt in the SITE area, with factory owners blocking it by installing sheds and causing traffic issues.

Industries Minister Jam Ikramullah Dharejo denied the claims, saying permissions given to factory owners for generator and guard rooms had already been cancelled.

Later, Acting Speaker Anthony Naveed adjourned the House till Monday.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026