Sindh PA hails 75 years of Pak-China friendship

The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously adopted a joint resolution on Pakistan-China friendship during its session, while also passing several key draft bills and witnessing heated exchanges during the question hour on the Zakat and Religious Affairs Department.

The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, began with Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar announcing that he would present a resolution on Pakistan-China friendship. Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi also expressed intent to table a similar resolution, after which both proposals were merged into a joint resolution.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Minister Lanjar said Pakistan and China were marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, terming the friendship historic in nature. He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties.

Senior Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon, while supporting the resolution, said the friendship between Pakistan and China would continue to deepen. He said the foundation of strong bilateral relations was laid during the eras of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, while President Asif Ali Zardari further strengthened ties through the initiation of CPEC. He added that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also consistently highlighted the importance of relations with China.

Sharjeel said China had always supported Pakistan in difficult times and noted that the Chinese language had been introduced in the education curriculum. He further said extensive trade activity was underway between Karachi and China. The House later unanimously passed the resolution.

During the session, the House also approved multiple bills, including the Sindh Workers Welfare Fund Bill, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and National Institute of Child Health Bill, Jinnah Hospital and NICH Regulation and Management Bill, Sindh Blood Transfusion Bill, Private Security Companies and Private Security Guards Regulation Bill, and the Sindh Medical and Dental Education Bill. All the bills were presented by Law Minister Lanjar.

Under the Jinnah Hospital and NICH Regulation and Management Bill, both major healthcare institutions will now come under the administrative control of the Sindh government.

The House also took up the question hour on Zakat and Religious Affairs, where Minister Riyaz Shah Sheerazi responded to queries from lawmakers. MQM member Qurat-ul-Ain suggested a policy to facilitate free Hajj for financially disadvantaged citizens. The minister said the matter had been discussed with the federal religious affairs ministry and efforts would be made to allocate funds for the purpose. MQM member Fozia Hameed proposed the establishment of a dedicated complaint cell or helpline for Hajj pilgrims to address grievances. She also suggested that, like the National Assembly, members of the provincial assembly should be sent on Hajj. The minister assured that he would take up the matter with the federal authorities.

Responding to another query, the minister said the provincial government had established a Peace Committee involving representatives of all faiths, and that meetings were held with minority communities, particularly during Muharram, under the supervision of the chief minister.