PA demands Dr Afia's release

The Sindh Assembly on the occasion of Private Members' Day unanimously passed four important resolutions on Tuesday.

These resolutions included demands for reciting the national anthem at the start of session, release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US jail, initiation of tree planting campaign and naming a road after renowned researcher Gul Hasan Kalmati. Speaker Owais Qadir Shah was in the chair.

Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro informed the House that Sindh is facing severe water shortage due to which the world's largest, Manchhar Lake, has been destroyed. He warned, if Sindh does not get water as per the agreement, agriculture will be badly affected, which may cause up to $3 billion loss to the province.

Shoro said that 70 per cent of Sindh's population depends on agriculture while the province is constantly facing water scarcity. In response to the questions of the members, Shoro further said that from 2019 to 2021, 20 to 30 per cent water shortage was recorded in the Indus River, which adversely impacted the agricultural production.

During the session, MQM MPA Sabir Qaimkhani raised the question why no new barrage was built in Sindh after 1962? In response, Jam Khan Shoro explained that the construction of the new barrage was not possible due to water shortage and violation of the agreement signed between the provinces.

Shoro said, it is not possible to build a new barrage under the prevailing situation. He said that 164 small dams have been completed in Sindh to stock water, which are benefiting around 600,000 acres of land.

He said that 30 small dams have also been constructed in Karachi, many of which are located near Superhighway. He warned, if Keenjhar Lake dries up, Karachi would face severe water crisis. Jamaat-e-Islami member Muhammad Farooq tabled a resolution regarding the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.

The resolution demanded of the federal government to take steps for the immediate release of Dr Aafia imprisoned in the United States. In response to JI member's resolution, Education Minister Sardar Shah said that the federal government was already working on the issue and a committee had been formed in this regard.

Muhammad Farooq said that Dr Aafia Siddiqui has been in the US jail for 21 years. She should be handed over to Pakistan. This resolution was also unanimously approved.

PPP member Heer Soho moved a resolution demanding that a road or building be named after Karachi-based researcher and writer Gul Hasan Kalmati. Supporting the resolution Sardar Shah, said that Kalmati has done valuable work on the history and culture of Sindh. He further announced that the college established in the village of Gul Hasan Kalmati will also be named after him and a letter will be written to the local bodies in this regard.

MQM member Bilqis Mukhtar tabled a resolution to start tree plantation campaign at the official level in Sindh to eliminate environmental pollution. She said that the effects of air pollution and climate change can be reduced by plantation. Sardar Shah fully supported this resolution as well which was also passed unanimously.

At the end of the session, PPP MPA Heer Soho moved a motion in which vacant posts were identified in HESCO. Sardar Shah suggested that this motion be discussed in detail next week. The Sindh Assembly session was adjourned till 2pm on Wednesday.