Tag: sindh assembly

  • Motion to expel illegal immigrants from Sindh passes unanimously

    Motion to expel illegal immigrants from Sindh passes unanimously

    The Sindh Provincial Assembly on Tuesday passed the “substantive motion” unanimously demanding that authorities expel illegal immigrants of other countries from the province.

    The motion tabled by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Heer Soho read, “This Assembly is of the opinion that illegal immigrants residing in the Province Of Sindh belonging to other countries be extradited to their original countries.”

    However, the Sindh Assembly atmosphere heated up after Soho’s discriminatory comments on the Bihari community, terming them alien.

    Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leadership strongly condemned Soho’s remarks, which were ultimately expunged from the proceeding at the request of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Lanjar.

    A member of MQM-P from Orangi town responded to Soho’s speech by stating that the Bihari community migrated twice to their homeland, Pakistan.

    “I am proud of being Bihari, and we cannot be termed illegal immigrants,” he concluded.

  • PPP’s Manzoor Wassan predicts PM Shehbaz will dissolve NA within next three months

    PPP’s Manzoor Wassan predicts PM Shehbaz will dissolve NA within next three months

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Manzoor Wassan predicted on Sunday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will dissolve the National Assembly (NA) within the next three months, Geo News reported.

    The PPP leader stated that the next “trimester is extremely crucial” as far as the political situation in the country goes.  “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may dissolve the National Assembly within the next three months.”

    Wassan also dismissed the claim that President Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif will become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

    The former member of the Sindh Assembly further stated that the political environment is not favorable for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), adding that “Reliefs are given and taken back, so Imran Khan shouldn’t be living in his imaginary world.”

    Wassan’s statement came about after it was rumoured that PPP has not been consulted on the upcoming federal budget for the year 2024-2025.

  • PTI alleges widespread rigging, boycotts Sindh Senate elections

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will not take part in Senate polls in Sindh on April 2, citing alleged widespread rigging.

    “Senate elections are being won through rigging,” PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh said while addressing a press conference in Karachi on Sunday.

    He said that the people who won elections according to Form 45 are not members of the Sindh Assembly. Pointing out that six candidates supported by PTI were participating in the Senate elections in Sindh, he said they have decided to boycott the upcoming polls.

    “The incumbent government is going to be buried in a mass grave. We won elections on 180 seats in the general elections, but most of them were taken away,” he alleged.

    On Wednesday, 14 candidates decided to withdraw their nomination papers for the Senate elections in the province. Following this, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is expected to secure one of the two Senate seats reserved for women without facing any competition.

  • Know all about the lunch menu for members of Sindh Assembly

    Know all about the lunch menu for members of Sindh Assembly

    Newly elected members of the Sindh Assembly took oath today (Saturday) with a lavish lunch, reports Geo.

    The dishes include fish, chicken boti, BBQ, puri paratha, chicken korma, roghani naan, tea, and cold drinks.

    Apart from this, Kehwa was served to the members after the meal.

    @timesofkarachi Various dishes have been prepared for the food and drink of the newly elected members of the Sindh Assembly. Fish, chicken korma for lunch. Mutton Kadhi. Naan and cold drinks are included in the menu. Coffee, tea, coffee will also be served after the meal. #TOKAlert #SindhAssembly #Karachi ♬ original sound – Times of Karachi

    However, the session started with a delay of 40 minutes under the chairmanship of Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by Naat and an oath-taking ceremony.

    Agha Siraj Durrani administered oath to the newly elected members of the Sindh Assembly. Among those who took the oath were the nominated Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah, Faryal Talpur, Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, and others. Members of the Sindh Assembly took oath in Urdu, English, and Sindhi.

    Out of 168 members of the Sindh Assembly, 114 belong to the Pakistan Peoples Party while 36 members belong to MQM-Pakistan.

  • ‘Don’t want a charity seat’, JI leaves their only provincial seat in the Sindh Assembly

    ‘Don’t want a charity seat’, JI leaves their only provincial seat in the Sindh Assembly

    Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, who run the single JI seat in the Sindh Assembly, announced on Monday that he was leaving the seat. ‘We don’t want a charity seat,’ he said, speaking about his PS-129 Karachi constituency. Analysts, after finding out about Rehman’s decision, termed it as ‘not a good idea’, saying that Rehman was enough for the Sindh Assembly and he was the choice of the voter and he should not have left after being elected. The Pakistan Peoples Party is leading in the Sindh Assembly with 84 seats, MQM at 28 and Independents at 11. One seat is yet to be announced.

  • Election Commission takes notice of violations in Sindh

    Election Commission takes notice of violations in Sindh

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a directive instructing the Chief Secretary of Sindh to immediately withdraw security, privileges and protocols from former members of the provincial cabinet and government officials. The decision follows the conclusion of the provincial government’s tenure and the upcoming general elections scheduled for the beginning of next year, after the delimitation process.

    In a letter addressed to the provincial secretary and inspector general, Election Commission Secretary Omar Hamid highlighted that former officials and cabinet members were still benefiting from the perks and privileges associated with their former positions.

    The letter stated, “You are, hereby, advised to withdraw protocol/security and perks and privileges from those former provincial cabinet members and political appointees of equivalent status and send a note of compliance within three days. This matter may be treated as most urgent.”

    The ECP had earlier on August 15 sent a letter to provincial authorities for withdrawal of the official protocol of the then members of former Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah-led cabinet and government officials.

    Additionally, in a separate communication to the Balochistan chief secretary, the Election Commission directed the immediate replacement of existing officials with new appointees for specific positions.

    The letter states, “As you are aware the Election Commission of Pakistan is charged with the Constitutional duty to organize and conduct elections in terms of Article 218 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and “to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against. Therefore, it has been desired that the following senior officers be immediately reshuffled:

    1. Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Balochistan
    2. Secretary, Services & General Administration Department, Balochistan
    3. Home Secretary, Balochistan
    4. Finance Secretary, Balochistan”

    The ECP has requested a compliance report from the concerned authorities within three days.

  • Govt commits to reconstructing 150-year-old Marie Mata Temple in Karachi

    Govt commits to reconstructing 150-year-old Marie Mata Temple in Karachi

    The Sindh government has committed to undertake the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the historic Marie Mata Temple in Soldier Bazaar of Karachi, Dawn has reported.

    During Question Hour in a session of the Sindh Assembly, the Minority Affairs Minister raised his concern, emphasizing that the demolition of any place of worship is strictly prohibited. Consequently, all construction activities on the temple site have been halted.

    The temple, which has a rich history of over 150 years, had undergone partial renovation around eight years ago, during which the temple deities were temporarily relocated to a nearby room located above a storm water drain. Unfortunately, last week, the structure on the temple’s premises was demolished by a builder who intended to construct a plaza in its place.

    A woman living on the property said that her ancestors gave the land for the temple, but now she’s building her house there.

    According to the minister, the minority affairs department will conduct a comprehensive survey to prepare a detailed report, and subsequently oversee the reconstruction of the temple on its original site.

  • Sindh govt allocates Rs10 billion for buying 500 hybrid buses

    Sindh govt allocates Rs10 billion for buying 500 hybrid buses

    The Sindh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, has taken a significant step towards enhancing the public transportation system by allocating a substantial amount of Rs10 billion in the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2023-24. This allocation is specifically aimed at procuring 500 hybrid buses, which are known for their superior environmental performance and fuel efficiency.

    In addition to the allocation for hybrid buses, the provincial Transport Department has been granted a total of Rs13.4 billion. Within this allocation, Rs6.1 billion has been earmarked for the development of the ‘Intra-District Peoples’ Bus Service,’ which will greatly benefit commuters within the province. Furthermore, Rs2 billion has been dedicated to the maintenance of transport infrastructure, ensuring the sustainability and longevity of the transportation network.

    Recognising the importance of expanding the reach of public transportation, the PPP-led government has also allocated Rs600 million for the establishment of new routes. This investment will provide greater accessibility and convenience to the residents of Sindh.

    Moreover, keeping in mind the needs of the employees at the Sindh secretariat, the government plans to initiate three new routes from the following year, with a budget provision of Rs6 million. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving the transportation options available to its citizens and creating a conducive work environment for the public servants.

    During the budget session in the Sindh Assembly, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who also serves as the Finance Minister, presented the overall budget for the fiscal year 2023-24. The total outlay of the budget for the province is estimated at an impressive Rs2244 billion, reflecting the government’s dedication to promoting growth and development across various sectors.

    The decision to procure hybrid buses stands out as a commendable choice by the Sindh government. Hybrid buses offer numerous advantages over conventional buses, particularly in terms of environmental impact and cost savings. By utilising both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, hybrid buses significantly reduce harmful emissions, making them more environmentally friendly.

    Additionally, their fuel efficiency leads to lower operational costs, saving valuable resources in the long run. These hybrid buses will not only provide a reliable and comfortable mode of transportation but also contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for the residents of Sindh.

    Overall, the budget allocation for the procurement of hybrid buses showcases the Sindh government’s commitment to modernising public transportation and promoting sustainable practices. It is a positive step towards enhancing the quality of life for the people of Sindh and reducing the carbon footprint of the province.

  • Stampede for ration kills 11 in Karachi including three children

    Stampede for ration kills 11 in Karachi including three children

    A stampede at a private charity food ration distribution site in Karachi’s SITE industrial area on Friday left at least 11 people dead, including three children.

    Eyewitnesses and rescue workers reported that several people fell into a nullah at the location during the stampede. Reports suggest that some of the victims were electrocuted as an electricity power-line had fallen into the nullah.

    Several people, including women and children, also fell unconscious during the incident.

    The Abbasi Shaheed Hospital received nine bodies and six injured victims, while the Civil Hospital received two dead bodies, bringing the death toll to 11.

    The incident is one of several recent deadly stampedes at free food and flour distribution sites across the country as the population struggles with rising inflation.

    The government launched the flour distribution programme to reach millions of families in need during the holy month of Ramzan that began last week.

    Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered an inquiry into the incident and expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.

    Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Khurram Sher Zaman demanded a transparent inquiry and action against those responsible for the incident, blaming the government for the people’s carelessness.

  • In a first, Sindh Assembly passes bill to reserve job quota for transgenders

    In a first, Sindh Assembly passes bill to reserve job quota for transgenders

    The Sindh Assembly has passed a bill reserving 0.5 per cent of positions in various provincial government offices for members of the transgender community.

    Mukesh Kumar Chawla, the Sindh Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, introduced the bill in the House. After the bill was approved, the Sindh government became the first in the nation to set aside a job quota for the underrepresented transgender minority.

    “The transgender people are a marginalised and vulnerable segment of our society. The history of transgender community in Pakistan is fraught with violence, socio-political exclusion, economic inequality and emotional insensitivity. In this respect, it is to empower and include such a vulnerable and weak community in the mainstream of the society. For this purpose, it has been decided to reserve a 0.5 per cent quota for transgenders.”

    There are 10,418 transgender people in Pakistan as of the most recent census, which was conducted in 2017. Of them, 24 per cent reside in Sindh. Approximately 206 of the 41,000 open positions across all government departments, according to government authorities, will be filled by transgender people.