KARACHI: Private members’ day in the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday was marred by a commotion caused by opposition lawmakers after the Treasury rejected three out of five resolutions in view of their numerical majority in the house.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) legislator Muhammad Aamir Siddiqui had given the notice to move a resolution seeking establishment of an independent commission to evaluate and improve education in Sindh.
Zia Lanjar, Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, opposed the resolution and stated that a commission composed of members of civil society already exists.
The second resolution sent by MQM-P member Muhammad Rashid Khan concerned alleged corruption and irregularities in the Sindh Public Service Commission.
House urges government to establish special care centers for autistic children
The third resolution rejected by the house was sent by MQM-P’s Sabir Hussain asking the provincial government to formulate a demographic policy to meet the future needs of the province in view of population growth.
The Minister of Justice opposed the resolution, which was rejected by the chamber by a majority vote.
Treasury and the opposition adopt two resolutions
The chamber unanimously adopted the resolutions presented by two MQM-P legislators.
MPA Fouzia Hameed presented the resolution requesting the provincial government to take steps towards the establishment of state-of-the-art autism centers for specialized care and support for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the province.
He said the rate of people with ASD was increasing, while there were no proper facilities available for them. He asked the provincial government to establish autism centers in major cities of Sindh.
Welcoming the resolution, Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said the provincial government was already working for disabled people across the province.
He said this resolution would bring happiness to children and families facing this condition.
The Health Minister said the provincial government was providing treatment and training to children living with autism. “These children can also be given vocational training,” he added.
The minister said there are not clinical psychologists in all districts because there is a shortage of them.
He said that rehabilitation centers for children with autism will be created in each district.
The Health Minister said the largest autism center in the province was located near Karachi’s Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital.
The resolution was adopted unanimously by the chamber.
The house also unanimously adopted MQM-P MPA Farah Sohail’s resolution calling for integrating gender perspective in all policies, programs and activities.
He urged the government to ensure equal opportunities and treatment for all people, regardless of gender.
Question time
During question time, Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi became angry and expressed concern over the answers to lawmakers’ questions given by Social Welfare Minister Tariq Talpur, which he termed as unsatisfactory.
He said the PPP had governed the province for the past 16 years, but development projects were delayed for years. “Who is to blame for the delay?” asked.
MQM-P Dr Abdul Basit said he was the chairman of the Social Welfare Standing Committee, but no relevant records or documents were provided to him.
The Social Welfare Minister said that the MQM-P MPA never contacted him and that he was only “making allegations” while sitting in the House.
Responding to written and oral questions from lawmakers, Talpur told the House that the department funded nine different non-governmental organizations (NGs) that were working to satisfy all stakeholders.
He said department officials monitor the NGOs’ activities and funding will be suspended if their work is not satisfactory.
The house also decided that PPP member Heer Soho’s adjournment motion regarding unannounced electricity load shedding in Sindh would be discussed for two hours next Friday. The House also rejected two motions by opposition members.
The house was later adjourned until Friday at 10 a.m.
Published in Amanecer, January 15, 2025.
