KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session on Tuesday focused on several major public issues, including the tragic death of a child who fell into an open manhole near Nipa Chowrangi, the worsening gas shortage across Sindh, women’s skill development initiatives, and the judiciary’s recent decision restricting age relaxation for government jobs.
Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah informed the House that a comprehensive inquiry committee is being formed to investigate the manhole tragedy. Calling the incident extremely heartbreaking, he assured that strict action will be taken against anyone found negligent.
He said the committee will include representatives from all political parties and senior officers, adding that the tragedy had shaken society’s conscience and that the committee would be formed with the Speaker’s cooperation.
During Private Members’ Day, several opposition resolutions were approved, while a resolution by JI MPA Farooq Ahmed regarding Karachi’s e-challan system was rejected by the Speaker on the grounds that the matter is currently under judicial consideration. All remarks related to the issue were also ordered to be expunged.
Earlier, MQM MPA Aamir Siddiqui presented a resolution about gas load-shedding in Karachi. The government supported the resolution and it was approved with an amendment to highlight gas shortages across the entire province instead of only Karachi.
Siddiqui stated that Karachi has no gas and urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter in the Council of Common Interests. He also said that despite SSGC receiving Rs 14 billion from Karachi’s towns, roads were still not repaired.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon supported the resolution, calling the gas crisis a province-wide issue. PPP’s Ghulam Qadir Chandio also insisted that the shortage affected all districts.
MQM’s Rashid Khan highlighted that Hyderabad, situated close to the Tando Alam Gas Field, is also facing shortages. He noted that Sindh supplies 70 percent of the country’s gas. PPP’s Jameel Soomro said that the Constitution grants provinces rights over their natural resources, yet Sindh continues to be treated unfairly.
PTI’s Shabbir Qureshi demanded closure of CNG stations to prioritise domestic supply, while MQM’s Sabir Qaimkhani argued that Sindh, which contributes 27 percent of the national gas supply, must receive its due share. Sindh Minister Jam Khan Shoro said the province produces 2000 MMCFD of gas but sometimes receives only 900 MMCFD. The resolution was unanimously passed.
The Assembly also unanimously approved a resolution moved by MQM MPA Farah Sohail on enhancing women’s skill development across Sindh. Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said women must have opportunities for skill development and noted that Sindh has passed progressive laws on child marriage and women’s reproductive rights. She revealed that 6,000 men in the province have voluntarily undergone family planning procedures.
Minister for Women Development Shahina Sher Ali explained that the government, in collaboration with Toyota, is providing technical training to women, including those in jails and in Dar-ul-Aman. Other MPAs, including Kiran Masood and Sadia Javed, also spoke in support of the resolution.
A privilege motion by MQM’s Sabir Qaimkhani on the delayed restoration of Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium was taken up. He complained that a resolution passed long ago by the Assembly had still not been implemented. Sharjeel Memon said the Sindh government had already written to the Inter-Provincial Coordination Department and intended to approach the Pakistan Cricket Board again to resume international cricket in the stadium.
Minister Jam Khan Shoro added that the PCB had not maintained the stadium properly in the past, but the current chairman had assured that it would be upgraded to international standards. A PCB team recently visited the stadium along with the Mayor of Hyderabad.
During discussion on age relaxation for government jobs, PTI’s Shabbir Qureshi moved a resolution seeking restoration of the 15-year age relaxation. Sindh Labour and Human Resources Minister Saeed Ghani explained that although the Sindh government had earlier granted a 15-year relaxation, the judiciary has now restricted it and the government is bound by the court’s decision.
However, he clarified that candidates who took and passed IBA Sukkur tests before the court verdict would not be affected; their test results remain valid for three years and their age eligibility will remain intact. For all future recruitments, the age limit must be enforced exactly as directed by the court.
Sharjeel Memon requested the mover not to press the resolution, stating that the Assembly cannot override a judicial ruling. Shabbir Qureshi subsequently withdrew the resolution.
After completing the day’s agenda, the Speaker adjourned the Sindh Assembly session until Friday at 10:00 AM.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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