KARACHI – Provincial ministers indirectly admitted at the Sindh Assembly session on Tuesday while it was facing complications in the “proper” implementation of the 18th Amendment, the Sindh government had itself delayed implementation in some cases due to political compulsions.
Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palijo told SA members that the federal government has transferred 126 archaeological sites to the province, but funds for these have not been transferred. Responding to MPAs’ queries during the question hour, Palijo said she has also learnt that archaeological museums were not being transferred to provinces under the 18th Amendment, and the Federal government would retain control of these.
Sindh Law Minister Mohammad Ayaz Soomro, in response to a resolution tabled by National People’s Party’s (NPP) Arif Mustafa Jatoi, told the house that the Sindh government would “gradually” implement the Amendment on the matter of the number of advisors allowed to the provincial government.
Jatoi had submitted a private bill titled the Sindh Advisors (appointments, powers, functions, Salaries, allowances and privileges) Amendment Bill-2010, seeking reduction in the number of advisors of the provincial government.
Jatoi argued that that under the 18th Amendment, a limit has been imposed on the number of ministers and advisors allowed for a provincial government. He said that although implementation on ministers’ appointment has been postponed till fresh general elections, no relaxation was allowed on the appointment of advisors.
“The Sindh government should reduce its advisors from 14 or 15 to five, since their position has now become unconstitutional. This matter may embarrass Sindh,” Jatoi said.
Law Minister Soomro typically disagreed with the NPP lawmaker before agreeing, but said that the number of advisors will be decreased “step by step”. He advised the member to allow the Federal government to complete the devolution process. The bill was subsequently rejected.
Committee constituted to ascertain archaeological record: Earlier, Culture Minister Paljio told members of the SA that her department had constituted a committee to ascertain which archaeological or historical records on Sindh are placed elsewhere – both within and outside the country.
Palijo said that a research board is also being constituted for conducting more research on history and archaeology of the Sindh.
Resolution passed: The house also passed a private resolution demanding the Sindh government to offer scholarships to students who earn top positions in matriculation examination till they complete their undergraduate degrees, provided they maintain their positions at the intermediate level.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Muhammad Alim-ur-Rehman had moved the resolution.
The house, however, rejected another private bill moved by NPP’s Arif Mustafa Jatoi, titled Sindh Local Government Ordinance (Amendment) Bill-2009. Jatoi had suggested an amendment in the Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO)-2009 to include the opposition leader’s name in the Provincial Finance Commission. Sindh Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah opposed the amendment, saying that no provincial assembly member has been inducted into the PFC since they are not stakeholders.
