By By our correspondent
The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday, urging the Sindh government to approach the federal government to give the right of ownership of oil and gas to Sindh.
The resolution had been moved by Munawar Abbasi, who said that oil and gas companies were also not implementing agreements pertaining to providing employment to locals and initiating uplift schemes in the areas concerned.
Nusrat Sahr said that oil and gas have been found in 13 districts of Sindh but no development has occurred there. Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, Rafiq Engineer, Heer Soho, Shahla Raza, Muzaffar Shujra, Ghulam Mujadid Isran and Rasheed Panhwar also spoke in favour of the resolution.
The Assembly also unanimously passed a motion moved by Arif Mustafa Jatoi, demanding the withdrawal of the recent increase in power tariffs by Nepra and Pepco, because as it was “unreasonable” and a “crushing burden” on consumers.
Meanwhile Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro referred to the standing committee on power and irrigation for “further scrutiny,” Ghulam Mujadid Isran’s resolution against Hesco over resorting to load-shedding in rural areas in June and July to recover arrears.
Girl missing since over two years: On a point-of-order, Mir Hasan Khoso drew tje attention of the House towards a missing girl, Fazeela, from Thul in Jacobabad. Her whereabouts have been unknown for the past two-and-a-half years. Khoso said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders had organised a rally for her recovery two years ago, and the then-SSP Dr Waliullah Dal was the only police officer who had taken keen interest in the case. Khoso urged the home minister to appoint such honest police officers to redress the grievances of the people.
Ghulam Mujadid Isran said that graveyards in Kamber have been occupied by certain elements in connivance with Nazims.
A Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) legislator drew the attention of the House towards the inconvenience faced by students for admissions in first year, because they have to submit a signed bond. He suggested that these terms and conditions be mentioned on the admission papers instead of submitting a separate paper.
Nusrat Sahr said that six people died after consuming country-wine in Sukkur. Excise Minister Mukesh Chawla said, however, that only one person had died and an inquiry has been ordered. Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza added that he felt sorry over the death of even one person, because it reflected that the trend of consuming country-wine was increasing in society.
One legislator said that precious things had been stolen from the museum in Mirpurkhas but the police have failed to recover them for the past 15 days.
Humera Alwani said 183 doctors were sanctioned in Thatta but only 20 were performing their duty, while Heer Soho drew attention towards the plight of an old woman who was bitten by dogs in Badin.
Rai Naz Bozdar said that a girl, Shabnam Masih, was allegedly gang-raped and beaten six months ago, and she died recently. She said that action should be taken against the perpetrators.
Sharjeel Memon said that around 800 schools were closed in Thar, while Kalsoom Chandio said that people suffered three-hour-long traffic jams daily at the Dadu bypass.
Najmuddin Abro said that loans of farmers should be waived as they suffered losses last year on account of heavy rains.
Rukhsana Shah said that the PIA tended to arbitrarily increase fares for Umra and Hajj while its catering system was also not good. Rafiq Banban said that the Nawabshah-Khairpur link road has not been developed for the past six years, and Zarin Majid said that proper verification of house tenants was needed.
One MQM legislator said that crimes have increased in Hyderabad recently. Another MPA drew the attention of the House towards the presence of a police post inside the Eidgah ground in Azizabad.