Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Manzar Imam moved the resolution. Initially, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmakers requested he withdraw it because the government is already thinking of tabling a bill. After some argument, the resolution was adopted.
Sports Minister Dr Muhammad Ali Shah, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, added that “pseudo doctors” did not even know the difference between a vein and an artery. He said that as the president of the Private Hospitals and Doctors Clinic, he has submitted a proposal to the chief minister and governor to eradicate the “menace”.
PPP MPA Anwar Maher argued that since there are not enough doctors in rural areas people have no choice but to visit fake healers - which might not be a bad thing altogether.
The assembly also adopted a resolution by MQM MPA Bilqees Mukhtiar on regulating private hospitals, clinics, dispensaries and maternity homes for high fees.
Arif Mustafa Jatoi of the National Peoples Party moved his motion to introduce a private bill on adviser appointments, powers, functions, salaries and allowances - only to have it rejected by the House. “I again request you to please follow the law otherwise this government will lose the rest of its advisers,” he warned the ministers, who opposed him.
Jatoi told The Express Tribune that the job of advisers is merely to advise the chief minister. They cannot be given a portfolio (public office). But since they have been given high offices, they should take oath under schedule 3 of the constitution. “I wanted to table the bill just to make an amendment that shall require advisers take oath. Otherwise they are illegally appointed,” he said.
Jatoi was prevented from moving another bill, the Security for All the Citizens Bill, 2009. Terrorists are heavily armed which is why the bill is aimed at making it easier to get a weapon, because according to Jatoi, a CNIC suffices.
Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani informed the house that a mass transit project would be launched and CNG buses would be started. There will be a meeting today on the CNG buses, terminals, depots and security system. He said this in response to a resolution moved by MQM MPA Rasheed Khan Bhai to restore the ticket system. “This is not possible given the fluctuation in POL prices,” said Transport Minister Akhtar Hussain Jadoon. They have signed an MoU with a Malaysian company for CNG buses and terminals. “The project worth $1 billion,” he claimed.
280 industries shut down
From February to December 2009, around 280 industries in Sindh closed down, said minister Rauf Siddiqui. Reasons included unscheduled load-shedding, financial crises, losses, market problems and outstanding liabilities of commercial banks. At least 331 new industries were set up, however.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2011.
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