Students of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, attend the varsity’s 20th convocation on Thursday. PHOTO: ONLINE
“They are suspending the power supply for six to eight hours [daily] even in the winter. I worry what they will do in the summer!” said Shah while talking to the media on Thursday in Jamshoro where he attended Mehran University of Engineering and Technology’s (MUET) 20th convocation.
His criticism was focused on the Hyderabad and Sukkur electric supply companies, which supply electricity to the whole province excluding Karachi. The urban areas of Sindh are undergoing four to six hours of load shedding while the rural areas suffer from six hours or more every day.
“We will hold these companies responsible if a law and order situation is created due to power outages,” the CM warned. Shah lamented that the centre has not provide appropriate representation to the provinces in the federal government’s departments. “This is affecting the people of our province.”
He said that the Sindh Assembly will discuss in its session today the issue of releasing water from the Indus River in the downstream under the Indus Water Treaty. The water shortage is affecting agriculture mainly in the downstream of the Kotri Barrage and leading to a continuous sea intrusion in Badin, Thatta and Sujjawal districts.
Responding to a query, he said the number of seats in the federal and provincial assemblies is likely to increase after the population census, which will start in March after almost two decades.
MUET convocation
Addressing the convocation, the CM vowed that his government would continue making efforts to improve the standard of education in the province. He acknowledged the contribution of MUET for the social and economic development of Sindh and appreciated the varsity for presenting him with a corporate social responsibility award.
As many as 707 students of MUET were awarded degrees at the convocation. The first position holders and faculty toppers were awarded eight gold medals and 30 silver medals.
Four degrees of doctors of philosophy, 51 masters of engineering, 466 bachelors of engineering, 30 bachelors of architecture and 69 bachelors of art and design, among others were given to MUET Jamshoro students. Some 56 students from the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto campus, Khairpur district were also awarded BE degrees.
MUET’s vice-chancellor Prof Dr Aslam Uqaili said the varsity is collaborating with Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, SUPARCO, Pakistan Institute of Management and other institutions at national and international levels.
Rashdabad School
The CM also visited Sargodhian Spirit Trust (SST) public school in Rashdabad, Tando Allahyar district, where he announced that the government will provide scholarships to 50% of the enrolled students. He also assured his government’s help in setting up a teachers’ training institute at the SST.
Tasneem Noorani, the SST’s chairperson, informed the CM that 80% of the enrolled students belong to Sindh while the other provinces are provided 20% quota in admissions. He said that the school was offering free education to 25% of the enrolled students.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2017.
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