The legislators belonging to the ruling PPP on Wednesday succeeded in getting another resolution passed with a unanimous vote at the Sindh Assembly session, affirming their trust in Asif Zardari as President of Pakistan and co-chairman of the party. Besides, the Assembly passed a bill into the law, banning manufacturing, sales and reuse of disposable syringes for their lethal health implications.
Members from either benches supported the legislation, saying it would help overcome diseases such as HIV-Aids, all types of hepatitis and other communicable infections. Chairing the session, Speaker Nisar Khuhro resumed the proceedings at about 10:15 am with majority of members present.
However, the session did not consider the National Peoples Party (NPP) member Arif Jatoi's adjournment motion on gas loadshedding in Sindh for approval, as Qaim Ali Shah termed the move sub judice and called it out of order. The resolution moved by Sindh Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ayaz Soomro affirmed the Sindh Assembly members' trust and confidence in President Asif Ali Zardari.
The resolution called Asif Zardari "very essential" as co-chairman of ruling Pakistan People Party and President of Pakistan to forge unity at national level and for reconciliation amongst the democratic forces. "The House appreciated his [Zardari's] efforts in the dual offices for furtherance of democracy and strengthening of Pakistan," the resolution stated.
Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah spoke in support of the resolution, saying it was aimed at strengthening the Zardari's "hands" being head of the state. MQM parliamentary leader, Syed Sardar Ahmed and Opposition leader Jam Madad Ali of PML-F also supporting the resolution said it would help the nation attain the much-needed unity. Immediately after passage of the resolution with a unanimous vote from Sindh Assembly, some members chanted slogans "Jeay Bhutto".
The Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Bill 2010 tabled by Ayaz Soomro received much discussion before passing into the law from either side of the floor. Dr Sagheer said the reuse of disposable syringes was causing serious diseases such as HIV-Aids and hepatitis. He said there were about 2.5 million hepatitis patients in Sindh alone.
He sought ban on the use, sales and manufacturing of all kinds of reusable syringes to hedge against spread of communicable diseases. A number of legislators voiced concern, saying the health care situation in rural Sindh was grimmer. They demanded stern punishment for violators.
Some called violation should be seen as an attempt to murder and punishment in this connection should be, accordingly. They said seminars and workshops should be organised to create awareness amongst the rural population of the province. Lawmakers also urged the affluent section of the society to extend their support to the government by bringing resources into use to prevent diseases.
Dr Sagheer Ahmed invited the attention towards the arrest of two doctors, saying such a move was creating discomfort amongst the doctors' community. On which, Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza replied that the arrests were made on the court orders on charges of negligence.
Those spoke included, Shazia Mari, Sasi Palejo, Murad Ali Shah, Jam Tamachi, Syed Sardar Ahmed, Dr Sagheer Ahmed, Jam Madad Ali, Nawab Taimoor, Ayaz Soomro, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and Qaim Ali Shah. Later, the Speaker adjourned the session till 10 am Thursday morning.