Not one to change his statements, Durrani said once again that the local bodies’ elections will be held 90 days after the new law is passed. He was talking to the media after the Sindh Assembly session.
The session started at 10:10 am with Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in the chair.
Distribution of relief goods
The issue of distributing relief goods among flood victims living in camps was raised by opposition members, who criticised the government for failing to supply tents and food. Pakistan Muslim League - Functional MPA Nusrat Saher Abbasi said a large number of goods have not been distributed among flood survivors in Sukkur, Karachi, Khairpur Mirs and other districts but government is trying to save the “treasury beaches”.
“Equitable distribution has not been initiated so far and goods, provided by international donors, are rotting in different warehouses,” she remarked.
Responding to her allegation, Sindh Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ayaz Soomro said that the chief minister has taken notice of the issue and directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority to look into the matter and report to him. He did not hesitate to add that: “we are being criticised for saving the government by those who have always been part of the dictatorial regimes”.
Resolution on maternal mortality and morbidity levels
A joint resolution on maternal mortality and morbidity levels was passed by the Sindh Assembly. The resolution was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Dr Ahmed Ali Shah but was supported by several legislators.
The resolution recommended the provincial and federal governments address the interlinked causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, such as poverty, malnutrition, lack of accessible and appropriate healthcare services, education and gender inequality.
Dr Shah said that a majority of women in rural areas die while giving birth so there is an urgent need to improve the country’s midwifery and nursing cadres and improve the delivery of primary health services in the country.
PPP MPA Humera Alwani said that 30,000 women in the country die during deliveries while 50,000 new born babies lose their lives.
Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed said that it is a big challenge to control maternal mortality but the government is trying its best to resolve all problems. Under the health policy, all these issues have been discussed and a system will be developed soon, he added. According to Dr Ahmed, apart from educating doctors, couples also need to be made aware so that they avoid giving birth to dozens of children, which is main cause of high mortality rate.
Ordinances presented
Sindh Public Property Removal of Encroachment (Amendment) Ordinance 2010 and Sindh Zakat and Ushr Ordinance 2010 were also presented in the house. Meanwhile, an adjournment motion submitted by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement against the hike in petrol prices was withdrawn. Audit reports of the public accounts committees were put before the assembly as well. The session was adjourned till Tuesday morning.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2011.
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