Questionable motives: Sindh demands in-camera briefing on census

Opposition parties endorse demand, say there are concerns that need to be addressed

KARACHI:

Sindh lawmakers are unclear if the census is even taking place and have demanded the federal census commissioner come in and address their queries. However, this briefing will be held without media presence.

Senior parliamentary minister Nisar Khuhro made the demand for an in-camera briefing during the Sindh Assembly session on Friday. Speaking on a point-of-order, Khuhro drew the attention of the House towards the census, which is scheduled for March after a lag of 18 years. "The federal government seems to be ambiguous as conflicting statements are being issued by its ministers," he said, referring to federal finance minister Ishaq Dar's statement. "So what if the census is not conducted? The sky will not fall," Dar had said.

Khuhro pointed out that the federal government estimated that it will need at least 400,000 army soldiers to conduct the census but the army can only spare 100,000 men. "These statements create confusion [as to whether the census will even be held]," he said.

Since the census is planned to be held over three days starting March 16, Khuhro felt this period was too short. "The population of Sindh, which contributes 70% of the revenue to the national exchequer, has grown but the federal government has reduced its share in the divisible pool," he said, adding that such concerns need to be addressed.

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - the largest opposition party in Sindh - wants the housing census from 2013 to be accepted without holding a new one this year. "Billions of rupees were spent on house counting in 2013 but the government suddenly terminated the process," said opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan. "We demand the census work resume from where it was left in 2013."

The parliamentary leaders of the remaining opposition parties - Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League - Functional and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf - also agreed to the proposal for an in-camera briefing in the House.

Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani announced that the Pakistan Peoples Party has also convened an all parties' conference on the census issue on February 21.

Shortage of medicines

Moving a call-attention notice, the opposition leader drew the local government (LG) minister's attention towards the shortage of medicines at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Karachi. "Patients are forced to buy syringes, glucose drips and bandages from outside the hospital," said Hasan. "Since the past several years, no medicine tender has been awarded at the 900-bed hospital," he added, blaming the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). "It is KMC's criminal negligence."

According to Hasan, Rs150 million were allocated to procure medicines for the hospital but, he said, no one knows where the fund has gone.

LG minister Jam Khan Shoro responded that the situation worsened since medicine suppliers have gone to court over unpaid bills. The LG department has constituted a board to resolve this matter, he assured.

Ruined park

MQM's Kamran Akhtar used his call-attention notice to draw the lawmakers' attention towards the poor condition of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim in Clifton. "It was Pakistan's largest and most beautiful park but now only stray dogs roam over there," he said, adding that plants and grass have dried up and no one takes care of it.

"A few parks in the city have been handed over to private individuals," he pointed out. "Can the LG minister answer what steps he has taken to conserve Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim." Shoro replied that they have allocated funds for the park and will revive it to its original glory soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2016.