PA unites to celebrate Christmas

House adopts 'Christmas resolution' as MPAs stress religious freedom, interfaith harmony

KARACHI:

The Sindh Assembly on Monday passed the amended Thar Coal Energy Board Bill during its sitting, while also unanimously adopting a congratulatory resolution to mark the Christian festival of Christmas.

The resolution, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Roma Mushtaq Mato, was supported by both treasury and opposition members, who extended warm wishes to the Christian community. Special Assistant on Minority Affairs Sham Sindh Advani said Christmas symbolises love and peace and teaches religious tolerance. MQM's Sabir Qaimkhani said Islam is a religion of love and noted that his party was the first to appoint Christians at the ministerial level.

PTI's Shabbir Qureshi and Jamaat-e-Islami's Muhammad Farooq also conveyed greetings, stressing interfaith harmony. Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho shared that she studied at a Christian school and was delivered by a Christian midwife, saying her presence was a testament to their services. Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said the PPP leadership has always safeguarded minority rights, adding that the Constitution, framed under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, guarantees full religious freedom. Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed termed Sindh a land of Sufis where minorities enjoy complete freedom. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Earlier, the House approved amendments to the Thar Coal Energy Board Act, originally enacted in 2011, with the law minister stating that certain clauses had been revised to meet present requirements.

During Question Hour related to the Local Government Department, Parliamentary Secretary Siraj Qasim Soomro responded to members' queries in the absence of the minister. Opposition members raised concerns over the lack of public toilets. Soomro informed the House that toilets would be constructed in all public parks with dedicated sanitation staff. He said the Clean Sindh project, supported by the World Bank, is underway across the province, including Karachi.

Addressing water shortages, Soomro said Karachi does not receive water equal to its demand and acknowledged the existence of FIRs related to water theft. He added that the Sindh High Court has established a tribunal to hear water theft cases and that amendments are being introduced to impose stricter penalties. He said the K-IV water project would be completed within a year, while proposals are also under consideration to store rainwater in collaboration with the Sindh Building Control Authority.