Sindh Assembly for no gas load-shedding during Sehri, Iftar hours

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted two key resolutions—calling for uninterrupted gas supply during Sehri and Iftar hours in the month of Ramazan, and increasing insurance compensation in case of accidents from Rs100,000 to Rs500,000.

The House; however, rejected two resolutions of the opposition. The Private Members’ Day session, presided over by Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah, also witnessed an announcement by the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister regarding the formation of a seven-member parliamentary committee to curb fake news and disinformation.

During proceedings, a resolution moved by MQM legislator, Muhammad Mazhar, seeking an increase in insurance compensation to Rs500,000 in case of accidents, was taken up. Responding to a query from the Speaker, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the government will not oppose the proposal, terming it a positive step.

Muhammad Mazhar noted that the Sindh government had already launched a Universal Insurance Scheme and urged a revision of the compensation amount in view of rising salaries and pensions. Labour Minister Saeed Ghani expressed agreement with the proposal in principle, following which the House unanimously passed the resolution.

The Assembly also unanimously adopted a resolution moved by PPP lady lawmaker, Samita Afzal Syed, calling for suspension of gas load-shedding during Sehri and Iftar in Ramazan. Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi pointed out that the Assembly had passed similar resolutions seven times in the past and questioned the lack of implementation.

Responding, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the matter had been discussed earlier and that the current resolution specifically pertained to Ramazan. He added that the provincial government had already written to the federal government, noting that while cities received some relief, rural areas often lacked both electricity and gas. The resolution was then approved.

Earlier, PTI’s Muhammad Shabbir Qureshi moved a resolution proposing to extend the age limit for jobs on the Sindh job portal by 14 years. Opposing the motion, Saeed Ghani, the Sindh Labour Minister said that a court verdict existed on the matter and the provincial government could not increase the age limit. He added that the same resolution had been rejected by the Assembly previously. The House rejected the proposal.

An MQM resolution moved by MPA Amir Siddiqui, seeking financial assistance for market owners unable to install fire safety equipment, was also rejected. Sharjeel Inam Memon informed the House that the government had undertaken fire safety measures, initiated building audits, and already audited hundreds of buildings, with work ongoing in collaboration with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

MQM’s member Qurratul Ain later moved an adjournment motion seeking establishment of Bachat Bazaars across Sindh during Ramazan. Sharjeel Inam Memon responded that the government set up such bazaars every year during Ramazan across the province, rendering the motion unnecessary. The Assembly rejected the adjournment motion.

During the question hour related to the Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA), Parliamentary Secretary Heer Soho briefed members that the Sindh government was running projects under public-private partnerships, including collaborations with China.

She said that 11 students had gone to China last year for education. Providing details of MoUs with China, she said 136 students went in the first year, 120 in the second year, and 14 in the third year, with the Sindh government bearing their air travel expenses.

Before adjourning the session until Friday afternoon, Law Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar announced the formation of a seven-member parliamentary committee to counter fake news and disinformation, stating that opposition members would also be included.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026