KARACHI, June 15: The Sindh Governor on Tuesday notified that the Sindh Assembly's budget session scheduled for Wednesday would be presided over by Dr Hamida Khuhro.

This is for the first time that new years's budget is being presented in Sindh when there are only three members in the Sindh Cabinet. They are Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim, Finance Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed and Law Minister Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed.

However, the cabinet is likely to be expanded before the House meets after a two-day recess after which there would a general debate on the budget so that members from treasury benches would be available to counter the cut motions and criticisms from the opposition benches.

In the absence of Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, who is the acting governor of the province, and deputy speaker Ms Rahila Tiwana, who has gone on leave, Dr Hameeda Khuhro will preside the session as she has been nominated by the governor as chairman to preside over the sitting under Rule 6 of the Rules of procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh.

The rule is based on the clause (30) of the Article 53 of the constitution which says, "When the office of speaker is vacant, or the speaker is absent or is unable to perform his functions due to any cause, the deputy speaker shall act as speaker, and if, at that time, the deputy speaker is also absent or is unable to act as speaker due to any cause, such member as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the assembly shall preside at the meeting of the assembly.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday held a meeting of the parliamentary party of the ruling coalition at the Chief Minister's House.

The meeting discussed various proposals in relation to the new budget for the year 2004-2005. The chief minister, speaking on the occasion, said in the coming budget, special attention would be given to provide relief to the people.

Finance Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed highlighted the salient features of the budget while the members expressed their views on mitigating the sufferings of the people.

The main opposition group in the House, Pakistan People's Party, will also hold its meeting on Wednesday morning in the chamber of the leader of opposition to discuss and formulate its strategy for the session while Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Parliamentary Party would also meet on Wednesday before the session.