Opposition MPAs tear disputed bill's copies

The Sindh Assembly on Friday passed two controversial laws - Sindh Universities Amendment Act and Sindh Civil Courts Ordinance Amendment Bill - amid strong protests from opposition MPAs.

The session, presided over by the deputy speaker, saw Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Zia UL Hassan Lanjar introduce the Sindh Civil Courts Ordinance Amendment Bill. The proposed amendment seeks to direct civil cases to be heard in civil courts rather than directly in the Sindh High Court.

Lanjar argued that thousands of civil cases filed in Karachi had overwhelmed the SHC, leading to a backlog of over 25,000 cases. The amendment would provide quicker and more affordable justice for the common man, he added.

However, as the bill was introduced, opposition MPAs erupted in protest, raising slogans. Leader of the Opposition Ali Khursheedi questioned why the bill was being fast-tracked without prior consultation or review by the relevant standing committee. He accused the government of bypassing democratic processes in passing laws based on its majority.

The law minister dismissed the opposition's objections, saying that the amendment aimed solely to benefit the general public, not any specific person. Despite the protests, with opposition MPAs holding placards and shouting in front of the speaker's seat, the treasury passed the bill through a majority vote.

The focus then shifted to the Sindh Universities Amendment Act, which also sparked strong opposition protests. The bill, which was introduced after the standing committee's report, now allows bureaucrats to be appointed as vice chancellors at public universities in the province.

Under the new law, any serving bureaucrat can take up the post, though they must leave the civil service upon appointment. The VC would be selected from a list of three candidates proposed by the Search Committee, with a maximum age limit of 62 years for the position.

Opposition MPAs once again voiced their opposition, tearing up copies of the bill and throwing them in the air. Despite the protests, the treasury passed the bill with a majority vote. No amendments were suggested by the opposition during the clause-by-clause approval.

During the session, several questions regarding the law department were scheduled for discussion, but most opposition MPAs were absent, leading to the deferral of four written questions. Other attention notices were raised, including one by MQM's Fouzia Hameed about rising bus fares.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon explained that the fare hikes were necessary due to increased petrol prices. He reassured that while the government had been subsidising fares, it had decided not to fully eliminate the subsidy in order to minimise the financial burden on the public. Memon also announced plans for the Sindh government to provide free scooters to women to ease their transportation challenges.

Later, the session was adjourned until Monday afternoon.