Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information & Archives, Law and Anti-Corruption Establishment, Barrister Murtaza Wahab said, briefing a largely-attended press conference on the decisions of Sindh Cabinet meeting. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the huddle.
Murtaza Wahab further said that Sindh cabinet approved Sindh Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act and formed a committee headed by Sindh Minister for Minorities Affairs Hari Ram Kishori Lal and Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla and the adviser himself as members to finalise and table it in Sindh Assembly within three days for legislation.
"Sindh Chief Minister has directed local government minister to ensure cleanliness of city after rain and ensure free flow of traffic on the roads," he said.
The CM also directed that all out steps must be undertaken to drain out rain water and cleanliness drive must be regular feature.
He said Sindh Prisons Correction Act, 2018 was also discussed. It is aimed at transforming prisons into reform centres/ homes and in this regard a committee has been formed. Murtaza Wahab, Sindh Prisons Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister Energy Imtiaz Shaikh, and Secretary Home Qazi Kabeer are its members. They will review and finalise it within seven days for tabling the draft in Sindh Assembly for approval.
"The Act is meant to provide healthy environment to women prisoners in jails and ensure prisons' access to health facilities," he said, adding that technical education to prisoners also included in the Act with an aim to transform hardened criminals into useful citizens.
He said training of Jail Police was also focused in the Act. He noted that existing jail rules were over a century-old which needed improvements.
"Sindh Cabinet has not approved Occupational Safety and Health Council Act and directed the labour department secretary to make further improvements in it and then table in next huddle," he said.
Murtaza Wahab further said that Sindh cabinet extended the lien period of financial closure of 100MW Nooriabad Power Plant up to 30 June 2020. He said cabinet was briefed on the Nooriabad Power Plant (NPP)that was established under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode with 49 percent shares of Sindh government and 61 percent of private company and the NP plant has earned profit amounting Rs 6.62 billion.
"Sindh Cabinet also discussed item related to nomination of member of general public from Sindh in PEMRA and has authorised him (the CM's Adviser) to nominate suitable person for that purpose," he said.
The amendment to STEVTA Act 2010 has also been approved in the cabinet meeting and as per amendment, Minister, Adviser, Special Assistant or nominee of the Chief Minister will be the STEVTA chairman. Prior to the amendment, he said, only the Minister could have been nominated as STEVTA chairman.
He further said that amendment to the Section 26 of Sindh Local government Act, 2013 has also been approved. Under that, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman, Vice Chairman or any member was bound to send his resignation to its administrative department unlike the previous requirement to send it to the concerned council. Sindh cabinet also approved amendments to SPPRA, 2010 that are for improvement in few technical definitions and terms of quorum. He said that Sindh Cabinet has also directed to auction the old vehicles. He said that Chief Minister has expressed his anger on the misuse of GS number plates and directed to take action in this regard because such vehicles may be used in terrorism incidents.
On the request of Minister Local government Saeed Ghani, the Chief Minister directed to identify land for graveyards in Karachi. Murad Shah directed Chief Secretary to include that item in the next cabinet meeting agenda. He said Karachi needed new graveyards.
"Sindh cabinet also approved three new official members for the Fishermen Cooperative Society.
The Adviser to the Chief Minister on Information strongly condemned the Sahiwal incident and remarked that check and balanced was necessary on police force. However, he also made it clear that Sindh government has no intention to curtail IG Police powers. He said independence and accountability was ensured in the new Sindh Police Act.