Sindh Assembly amends Zakat and Ushr Law

KARACHI: The Provincial Assembly of Sindh passed an amendment to the Sindh Zakat and Ushr Act, 2011 on Friday without standing committee’s review of the bill, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The Assembly met for an hour and 35 minutes. The sitting started at 1105 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours. The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting in the absence of the Speaker. The Leader of the House did not attend the sitting. The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 40 minutes.

As many as 85 lawmakers (51%) were present at outset and 59 lawmakers (35%) at adjournment of the sitting. The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQMP, PTI, GDA, TLP and MMAP attended the sitting. As many as seven out of nine minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Moved by the Minister for Zakat and Ushr, the House passed the Sindh Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill, 2018. This bill was introduced on Thursday January 10, 2019 and was not sent to the relevant standing committee as required under Rule 99 of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, 2013.

The House deferred four Call Attention Notices (CANs) due to the absence of the movers. The House deferred a Privilege Motion (PM) due to the absence of the mover.

The House admitted a PPPP lawmaker’s Adjournment Motion regarding failure and apathy of Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for discussion on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. The House took up four Starred Questions addressed to the Ministry of Information, and Science & Technology. The lawmakers asked nine supplementary questions as well.

The lawmakers belonging to MQM, GDA and PTI walked out from the proceedings at 1140 hours and did not return till the adjournment of the sitting. They were protesting against the Chair who did not allow the members to ask supplementary questions on a Starred Question.

As many as six lawmakers raised Points of Order consuming 34 minutes of the proceedings The House was adjourned to meet again on January 14, 2019 (Monday) at 1500 hours.