Sindh wants control of National Museum

The Centre should hand over the control of Karachi's National Museum to the provincial government for better maintenance of the facility, said Sindh Minister for Culture Zulfiqar Ali Shah on Monday.

Expressing his views in general debate on the provincial budget in the Sindh Assembly, Shah said the National Museum in Karachi was in a dilapidated condition and the provincial government was trying to take it back from the federal government.

He further said that children from all over Pakistan come to Sindh Institute of Music and Performing Arts, but the court has stopped the recruitment of music teachers, which needs to be reviewed.

The government and opposition members participated during the budget speeches. Some members of the PPP criticised the opposition, on which the opposition made noise. Opposition leader Ali Khursheedi objected that per agreement no one would criticise the leadership of parties.

Provincial Social Welfare Minister Tariq Talpur taking part in the debate said that the Sindh Child Protection Authority was formed in 2011 and 200 children are being provided food at the shelter home in Malir. Social welfare department needs more funding.

Sindh Minister of Labour Shahid Salam Thaheem stated that 150,000 labour cards have already been issued, and there are plans to issue an additional million labour cards in the new fiscal year. An order has been placed with NADRA to prepare 625,000 labour cards, he said. Minister of Awqaf and Zakat Riaz Shah Shirazi said that efforts are being made to provide better facilities to the devotees at the shrines and development works of the shrines will be done in the next budget. Biometrics is being done for Zakat beneficiaries and 70,000 beneficiaries have been provided facilities.

Provincial Minister for Women's Development Shaheena Sher Ali said that their budget exceeds Rs800 million and more than Rs100 million is spent on safe houses and shelter homes. There are 24 safe houses throughout Sindh, and more will be established. She said that any woman in distress can take refuge at a safe house for up to 72 hours and then she would be provided with legal protection.

Shaheena added that women at Darul Aman will be taught how to ride motorcycles and repair mobile phones.