Sindh Assembly rejects JI resolution regarding ‘poor law and order’
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday rejected a resolution moved by a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) lawmaker regarding deteriorating law and order in the province, while adopted a few others including one against child marriages.
During private members’ day, the House also voted on resolutions seeking a public holiday on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister, Shaheed-e-Millat, Liaquat Ali Khan, and condemning HESCO’s poor performance.
The session began with Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony in the chair. Moving his resolution, JI MPA Muhammad Farooq regretted that the law and order situation in Sindh had worsened, and demanded protection of citizens’ lives and property.
Opposing the resolution, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar said the claims were “detached from reality,” insisting that law and order in Sindh was not deteriorating and that no major operations were under way. He revealed that police had rescued 13 people from a “honey trap” just a day earlier.
He explained that criminals in Ghotki and Sadiqabad lure people, often using women’s voices on the phone, to remote areas under the guise of marriage proposals, which is actually a honey trap.
Lanjar said that people from Karachi going to the Katcha areas should be aware that “there is no marriage bureau there.” He announced a major operation against these criminal networks and said the provincial government would request Punjab authorities to keep an eye on fugitives hiding in Bahawalpur.
He added that Sindh’s motorways were safe and informed the House that two DSPs were critically injured in an encounter with drug dealers in Shikarpur and were under treatment at Ziauddin Hospital. He praised the courage of the injured officers and said that Karachi’s crime rate had decreased, with CTD also arresting suicide bombers.
The resolution was later rejected by a majority vote.
During Private Members’ Day, MQM MPA Aamir Siddiqui presented a resolution highlighting the poor condition of the M-9 Motorway, calling it unsafe due to frequent accidents, and demanded improvement from the federal government. Parliamentary Affairs Minister opposed the resolution, saying MQM should raise the issue in the National Assembly through its federal ministers.
He said National Highways were in such poor shape that “one cannot even reach villages,” and added that “there is no such thing as a motorway in Sindh.” He argued that the matter should be taken up with the Prime Minister, not the Sindh Assembly. The House ultimately rejected Siddiqui’s resolution.
MQM’s Sabir Qaimkhani tabled a resolution criticizing HESCO’s performance, stating that Hyderabad had faced power outages lasting up to three days and that HESCO lacked the capability to replace transformers. He accused the utility’s administration of being anti-public.
Parliamentary Secretary Qasim Siraj Soomro proposed forming a committee to address complaints. PPP’s Heer Ismail Soho supported the resolution. Home Minister Lanjar agreed to form a committee with representation from HESCO region lawmakers. and the House unanimously passed the resolution.
MQM lawmaker Qurat Ul Ain Khan withdrew her resolution seeking stipends for mosque imams. PPP MPA Maliha Manzoor moved a resolution against child marriages, stating that no boy or girl under 18 should be allowed to marry.
She noted that Sindh had passed the Child Marriage Restraint Act in 2013 and that Balochistan had now also adopted similar legislation. She highlighted that girls from Sindh were being taken to other provinces for underage marriages.
Provincial Minister for Women Development Shaheena Sher Ali supported the resolution, saying that minor girls from Sindh were being taken to Punjab or KP for early marriages, where the legal age was still 16. She urged Punjab and KP to pass similar laws. The House passed the resolution against child marriages.
MQM’s Ijaz-ul-Haq withdrew his resolution against land-grabbing activities in Orangi Town after the government assured him that his concerns would be addressed.
The assembly also unanimously approved a resolution demanding a public holiday on the death anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan, calling upon the federal government to declare it an official holiday.
Earlier, during the question hour related to the Minority Affairs Department, Special Assistant Sham Sundar answered various queries. He said the Sindh government fully protects minority rights and that homes for minorities are included in the government’s housing schemes, with 135,000 houses already allotted.
Responding to a question by Nand Kumar Goklani, he said the Meghwar community was progressing well in education and that efforts were under way to resolve its issues. He noted that most students achieving merit came from Tharparkar.
He emphasised that Sindh provides equal rights to all citizens, including minorities, in education, health and other sectors. The session was later adjourned until Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, a delegation of parliamentarians from Balochistan visited the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday and observed the proceedings of the House. The delegation was warmly welcomed upon its arrival.
Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho expressed her pleasure at the visit and said she warmly welcomed the guests from Balochistan, adding that she herself is also of Baloch origin. Provincial Minister for Women Development Shaheena Sher Ali also welcomed the delegation.
Members of the Assembly, including Shabbir Qureshi, Farah Sohail, Muhammad Farooq and Ali Khurshidi, similarly expressed their appreciation and extended a warm welcome to the visiting parliamentarians.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025