Sindh Assembly demands revival of abandoned rail services

• Parliamnetarians allege local rail system closed on behest of private transporter mafia
• House passes resolution to establish breast cancer diagnostic centers in every district, mammography facilities at tehsil level

The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday demanding urgent revival of the Karachi-Mirpurkhas rail service to facilitate the people of Sindh.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmaker Dr Zafar Ahmed Kamali – who hails from Mirpurkhas – tabled the resolution recommending the Government of Sindh to approach the Federal Government for the revival of the railway service from Karachi and Hyderabad to Mirpurkhas, especially Mehran Express and Shah Latif Express.

Members from both the treasury and opposition supported the resolution and demanded that passenger rails be revived on all abandoned rail routes in Sindh including Karachi. They asked the government to revive Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) on priority basis, adding that citizens of Lahore enjoy the facilities of local trains as well as Metro buses but commuters in Karachi had to face many problems due to the failure of public transport system. The local rail system was closed on the behest of private transporter mafia, they alleged and also suggested that trams be run on major roads of Karachi.

The speaker in his remarks said that Karachi must have an underground metro rail system besides a good mass transit system.

Giving the examples of India and China, the members said that the economies of both these countries grew due to their focus on rail-based public transport system. They said that in India the urban transport system is based on local rails.

The House passed another resolution put forward by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Khairunissa Mughal that the Assembly establish breast cancer diagnostic centers in each district of the province. The members suggested that the government provide mammography facilities at the tehsil level.

The Sindh Police Rules, 1934 (Amendment) Bill – a private bill – by MQM Sabir Hussain (MQM) were also introduced in the House.

Opposition Leader Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar tabled an adjournment motion to discuss that the rates of diesel and petrol have been decreased by 10 percent but the rates of public transport fares and commodities have not been controlled. The ministers concerned assured him that the issue would be resolved.

MQM’s Muhammad Hussain Khan tabled a privilege motion that according to the Rule 144 of the rules of procedure of the Sindh Assembly, the minister for law and parliamentary affairs in consultation with the finance minister shall include in the list of business the general discussion on release and utilisation of budget, on quarterly basis.

However, he did not further press the motion after the minister for law and parliamentary affairs assured that the report would be presented in the next session.

Later, the House was adjourned to meet at 10 am on November 10.