KARACHI, March 6: The government has been asked to take immediate measures for the treatment of industrial wastewater being used for cultivation of vegetables and orchards in Malir and other industrial areas.

This demand was made though a private resolution by Pakistan People’s Party lawmaker Ayesha Khoso which, after rewording, was put to the house and carried unanimously.

The resolution reads: “This assembly resolves that the provincial Government take immediate measures for the treatment of industrial waste water as to facilitate vegetable cultivation and other agricultural activities in Malir, and other industrial zones in the province.”

Earlier briefly speaking on the resolution, Ms Khoso said it had been observed that in Malir and other localities with industrial areas in the vicinity water used for cultivation contained the waste material of industries, and consumption of such vegetables was injurious to health. She called for immediate steps to stop cultivation of vegetables with such water.

The resolution was supported by Law Minister Ayaz Soomro and when put to a vote, it was carried unanimously.

Being Tuesday, private members’ day, the order of the day included five private resolutions and as many motions in addition to the introduction of a private bill, No 1 of 2012 — The protection of religious minorities properties bill, 2012 — whose notice had been given by PPP lawmaker Saleem Khurshid Khokhar. However, the bill could not be introduced because of the mover’s absence.

The first resolution on the agenda was of Syeda Marvi Rashdi which reads: “This august House resolves and recommends to the Government of Sindh to approach the Federal Government for inclusion of a column for the name of an adoptive parent in the identity documents for a child.”

The resolution was discussed for over half-an-hour in which the sensitivity of the subject and the Islamic point of view was highlighted by a number of lawmakers, including senior parliamentarians Syed Sardar Ahmad, Muhammad Anwar Mahar, Dr Sikandar Mandhro and Rafiq Engineer.

On the suggestion of the chair, Ms Rashdi, showing regard to the views expressed by the lawmakers, moved a motion and the resolution was withdrawn with the consent of the house.

One of the other two resolutions taken up for consideration was moved by Ms Shahnaz of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement regarding restoration of medical facilities to the employees of the Sindh secretariat through health insurance companies and redress of grievances of low-paid employees. The other was by Haji Munawwar Ali Abbasi, recommending to the government to regularise the services of employees hired on a contract basis, especially those of the NPIW, social male mobilisers of the population welfare department, the lady health workers, lecturers and doctors.

After a discussion, the lawmakers endorsed the resolutions.

Syed Murad Ali Shah said the medical insurance scheme was discontinued due to reports of misuse of the facility. Besides, it was limited to some 4,000 employees of the secretariat only, instead of the over 400,000 employees of the Sindh government.

Syed Sardar Ahmad said the scheme was started by him during the last government and it was its first phase while other government employees were to be covered in next phases.

He said it was the need of the hour to provide health and social insurance cover not only to the government employees, but to all the people of the province. He suggested that the scheme be referred to the standing committees of the assembly on finance and health to work out its financial implications and make a plan for health cover.

On the suggestion of law minister Ayaz Soomro, the resolution of Haji Abbasi was referred to the standing committees on law and finance, asking the committees to invite the chairmen of the health, agriculture and education committees while formulating recommendations before the next budget so that its financial implication could be incorporated in the budget.

Neither the 5th resolution, moved by Syed Khalid Ahmed for withdrawing the recent price increase in medicines, nor any of the five motions on the agenda could be taken up for want of time, as the house which started its business at 11.20am was adjourned by the chair at 2.45pm to meet on Thursday.