In session: Jinnah Sindh Medical University to use JPMC, NICH as its hospitals

Sindh Assembly also passes a bill to strengthen the Sindh Service Tribunals

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday passed three bills, including a law to declare Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and the National Institute of Child Health as constituent hospitals of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi.

“This law is being made as per the requirements of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, because a medical university needs its own hospital to provide clinical education and training to future and current health professionals, including doctors and paramedics,” said Sindh parliamentary affairs minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro while moving an amendment to the Jinnah Sindh Medical University Bill 2015.

The Sindh Service Tribunals (Third Amendment) bill was also passed in compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court. The objective of this amendment is to strengthen the independent working of the tribunals, giving the chairperson the power to create new posts and abolish old ones. The law further states that the tribunals will not need approval from the government for its expenditure within the allocated budget.

Barrett Hodgson International University

The assembly further passed a law to give a charter to the Barrett Hodgson International University in Korangi, Karachi. The parliamentary affairs minister, briefing the assembly about the law, said that philanthropist Dr M S Habit had committed to establishing the university.

The statement of objectives and reasons of the bill stated that given the speed of population growth in Karachi and the increased demand for higher education, especially in fields such as pharmacy, economics, planning and public finance, more universities should be established in the city, especially in Korangi district.

Resolution adopted

After five days of debate on the 2014-2015 budget and the proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, the provincial assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that the government incorporate the proposals submitted by lawmakers from various parliamentary parties. Following the resolution, which was moved by Dr Sikandar Mandhro, the assembly was adjourned till Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2015.