PA throws open debate on new provinces

The Sindh Assembly on Friday approved an adjournment motion for debate on the proposed creation of new provinces and administrative units in the country, setting the stage for a two-hour discussion on the politically sensitive issue on Monday.

The motion was moved by senior parliamentarian and Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, who urged Speaker Owais Qadir Shah to suspend the scheduled proceedings and allow him to raise what he described as an important issue of immediate public concern.

After consulting Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, the speaker allowed Khuhro to move the motion. Lanjar said he had no objection to taking up the matter, terming it an important issue.

Khuhro said discussions were under way about the creation of new provinces and administrative units in the country, while various reports and speculations were also circulating on the matter. He said the issue was of particular importance to the provinces and that members of the Sindh Assembly also wanted an opportunity to discuss it openly on the floor of the House.

Speaker Owais Qadir Shah admitted the adjournment motion for debate and ruled that the House would discuss it for two hours on Monday. He added that lawmakers could extend the discussion for several more days if they wished.

The motion was subsequently approved by a majority vote, formally paving the way for a debate on the proposed new provinces in the Sindh Assembly on Monday.

During the question hour, which focused on the Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Prosecution Department, Law Minister Lanjar responded to written and supplementary questions from lawmakers.

Replying to a question from PTI lawmaker Shabbir Qureshi, the minister said a scheme for construction of residential facilities for prosecutors, officers and staff in Sindh had originally been scheduled for completion in 2021 but was delayed for various reasons.

Lawmaker Sajjad Soomro asked about the procedure for recruitment of attorneys in Sindh. Lanjar said the position was in Grade 18 and that 67 candidates had passed the test conducted by the Sindh Public Service Commission.

MQM lawmaker Rashid Khan described the Sindh Public Service Commission as a "hot issue" at present. Lanjar responded that the House was currently dealing with questions relating to the Law Department and suggested that the issue be raised when questions concerning the Home Department came up. Saleem Jhandir