Govt defends e-challan, plans expansion

Traffic reforms, KU transport, water theft, public issues dominate PA

KARACHI:

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar assured the Sindh Assembly that the provincial government is committed to improving Karachi's traffic system with sincerity. He said the purpose of e-challan is not revenue generation but building traffic awareness and ensuring compliance with road laws. The system will soon be expanded to Hyderabad and other districts.

He informed the House that cases regarding e-challan are being heard in courts. A committee is being formed, comprising Iftikhar Alam and Talha Ahmed from the opposition, and Asif Khan, Sadia Javed and Farooq Awan from the PPP, with Lanjar himself as chair.

Friday's session, chaired by Speaker Awais Qadir Shah, included the question hour for the Fisheries and Livestock Department. Parliamentary Secretary Asif Khan struggled to answer several questions, often stating he would provide responses later. He said the government will soon provide facilities to fishermen, including a housing scheme at Mubarak Village.

During attention notices, lawmakers raised several civic and administrative issues. MQM's Qurat-ul-Ain highlighted the poor condition of Karachi University's transport system. Minister for Universities Ismail Rahu said KU currently has 54 point buses and has added eight new ones, noting that universities are autonomous and allocate funds independently.

On turtle conservation, Parliamentary Secretary Heer Soho said 0.8 million turtle eggs had been laid this season. MQM's Sabir Qaimkhani questioned the non-functional indoor unit of Kohsar General Hospital, while Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho maintained that facilities are available and promised a chest-pain unit soon.

Members also raised concerns over illegal water connections in Manghopir, Hesco recovery raids, and the long-delayed construction of Kohsar Medical College.