Drugs price issue echoes in PA

House approves law tweak to collect property tax in cantonment areas

KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Khairunnisa Mughal, during the Sindh Assembly session on Monday, raised concerns over the rising prices of medicines in the country.

However, Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho argued that cutting prices would drive pharmaceutical companies out of Pakistan, as their costs have risen due to importing raw materials. She noted that some foreign companies are already leaving.

In response to Dr. Pechuho's explanation, the member withdrew her adjournment motion.

The Sindh Assembly session, chaired by Speaker Syed Owais Shah, began 18 minutes late on Monday.

The Sindh Assembly session began on Monday with a delay of 18 minutes with Speaker Syed Owais Shah in the chair.

Several call notices of members were also discussed during the session.

Leader of the opposition Ali Khurseedi, in a call attention notice on the situation of street crime in Karachi, emphasised that the families of those who lost their lives in the incidents of street crime should be comforted.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar said that the Sindh government is trying hard to curb the menace of street crime. Many killers have been arrested. On the other hand, as many as 367 scrap shops were raided. Moreover, funds have been released for the Safe City Project. He said that a team of 69 highly-competent prosecutors and investigation officers has been given street crime cases to ensure timely convictions.

The home minister said that the families of those killed in street crimes will be provided financial aid. Lanjar told the House that the rate of street crime has decreased compared to January.

Regarding involvement of police in criminal activities, Lanjar said, dishonest people are everywhere, but there is a need to encourage forces. He said that the killers of journalist Nasrullah Gadani have also been arrested.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) MPA Rashid Khan submitted a call attention notice on the increase in the incidents of LPG cylinder blasts in the province. At least 27 people, mostlly children, died in Hyderabad, while seven were injured in Matiari and four in Larkana due to LPG cylinder explosions.

The home minister said that there is a need to ensure availability of quality cylinders and OGRA is responsible for this, however, the Sindh government has given orders to close the gas cylinder shops in residential areas.

He said that the demand for cylinders has increased due to gas loadshedding, but human life is important for the government.

During the question hour the home minister answered various written and supplementary questions of the members related to the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD). He said that the government wants to strictly implement the existing laws for hunting birds.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Assembly unanimously approved the amendment in the law to collect property tax on immovable properties from cantonment boards. According to Sindh Urban Immovable Property Tax Amendment Act, Sindh government will be able to collect property tax from cantonment areas.

Under this law, a new provision was added under which the cantonment boards will collect property tax and remit it to the provincial government. In this regard, the cantonment boards will be able to levy two per cent service charges on the collected property tax.

The report of the special committee on the Safi Burhani University Bill was also presented, after which the house unanimously approved the bill.