KARACHI, Sep 10: In a rare display of common concern, the treasury benches in Sindh Assembly joined hands with the opposition on Wednesday to adopt several resolutions which pertained to construction of highway, support price for rice and cotton and allocation of quota for disabled people in recruitment through the Federal Public Service Commission and competitive examinations.
It was again a private members day with Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah in the chair. Two private members’ bills were also introduced in the assembly before it was adjourned for Friday morning. There will be no session on Thursday on account of the death anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam.
Mrs Sharafunnisa Leghari of the PPP Parliamentarians had moved a resolution asking the provincial government to approach the federal government for the completion of N-5 highway from Sehwan to Rattodero. She said that the incomplete work had been causing considerable difficulties to people. Her contention was that with the completion of this section of the Indus Highway, billions of rupees would be added to country’s wealth.
Many members from both sides of the divide supported the resolution. They included Haji Munawar Abbasi, Sultan Khuhawar, Najamuddin Abro, Ehsan Jatoi, Imtiaz Shaikh, Farida Baloch, Ayaz Soomro, Heer Ismail Soho and Begum Gulzar Unnar.
They observed that completion of this highway would not only reduce distances but would also help conserve fuel.
Ms Shazia Atta Muhammad Marri’s resolution pertained to fixing of quota for disabled people in all recruitments trough the Federal Public Service Commission and competitive examinations.
Minister for Education Irfanullah Marwat said that two per cent quota for special citizens was reserved in the federal government jobs and there was a notification in this regard. Minister for Works and Services Dr Arbab Rahim asked how could such people be recruited in police and other such services.
When the Speaker asked for the views of Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmad, he said that it was a fact that disabled persons were not allowed to sit in the Commission’s examinations. He supported the proposal put forward through the resolution and the House gave its approval.
The House also unanimously approved a joint resolution tabled by Dr Hamida Khuhro and opposition leader Nisar Khuhro through which the Sindh Assembly has asked the federal government to fix support price of IRRI-6 rice at Rs350 per 40kg and cotton at Rs1,000 per 40kg.
The resolutions tabled by Farheen Mughal and Zahid Bhurgari pertained to the policy of delivery of cotton to factories by growers without bardana (sacks) as recently introduced throughout the province. They considered it as detrimental to the interest of growers.
Minister for Agriculture Arif Jatoi informed the House that bardana was against the WTO’s rules which would become effective from 2005. When he said that he would ask the federal government to review its cotton policy, opposition members opposed such a move. However, the Speaker advised both sides to put their heads together and come up with an agreed formula after two days.
In today’s session, two private members’ bills were introduced. The one presented by Syed Murad Ali Shah of the PPP pertained to an amendment to the Sindh Advisers (appointments, powers, functions, salaries, allowances and privileges) Act-2003. Minister for Law Chaudhary Iftekhar opposed this bill.
During the proceedings, Mrs Sharafunnisa asked for the report about the killing of a villager, Korai, in Khairpur Nathan Shah in police custody. Mr Ayaz Soomro of PPP sought the report about the kidnapping of two persons in Larkana district.
The minister for law the MPAs that the reports would be submitted in the House in two or three days.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah moved a privilege motion against Minister for Religious Affairs Irfan Gul Magsi.
The law minister opposed the motion on the ground that it did not pertain to breach of privilege of Mr Shah.