The Sindh Cabinet has resolved to strongly oppose the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and Lakhra Cola Power Plant.
Karachi, (Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2018) : The Sindh Cabinet has resolved to strongly oppose the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and Lakhra Cola Power Plant. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Sah at 7th Floor of New Secretariat offered fateha for Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Asma Jahangir. The Chief Minister said that the workers of PSM were starving for non-payment of their salaries.
The Federal government deliberately turned the once profit-making organization of steel mill into losses. The same has been done with PIA. "We are very much clear that the land of Pakistan Steel Mill would automatically return to provincial government if it is privatized," he said and added the federal government would have to safeguard the interest of the workers of PIA, Pakistan Steel and Lakhra Coal-fired power plant. The Sindh government would resist their privatization, he said.
The cabinet unanimously authorized the chief minister to give a clear message of the cabinet to the federal government. The agenda of the cabinet include draft `The Sindh Police (transfer, Posting & Tenure) Rules 2017, draft law regarding Public Sector Universities of Sindh, Amendment in the Charter of Ziauddin University, Sindh Coal Authority Rules 2017, Sindh Nooriabad Gas Fired power project, revised amendment to Sindh Mining Concession Rules 2002, delegation of powers to determine the composition of Mines Committee, draft legislation regarding Sindh Ruet-e-Hilal Act 2017, Sindh Quran (Printing, Recording and Disposal of Damaged or Shaheed and Sacred Auraqs) Act 2018, Amendment in the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, The Sindh Tourism Development Corporation Employees (Services) Bye-Laws, 2017; The Sindh Employees Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2017, Regularization of Contract veterinary doctors under district-wise veterinary service programme.
The police rules were discussed in details and finally an argument emerged that the matter was subjudice in the Supreme Court, till the court decides the appeal of Sindh government the matter would remain differed. The cabinet discussed the draft law regarding Public Sector Universities of Sindh and approved it. Under the new draft law the appointment of vice chancellor, deans and Pro-vice chancellor would be made by the chief minister and the Governor being chancellor would confer honorary degrees.
The appointment of the registrars and controller of examinations would be made by the syndicate on the recommendation of selection committee. The cabinet approved the draft law and decided to send it to the standing committee for higher education. The amendment in the charter of Ziauddin University was also approved. The cabinet also approved Rules of Sindh Coal Authority, 2017. The cabinet was told that the Nooriabad Power Project was operating at its full capacity and it was supplying 100 MW of electricity to K-Electric.
The cabinet after going through the presentation given by Secretary Energy Agha Wasif approved some amendments in Gas Supply Agreement of Sindh Nooriabad Power Company PvT Ltd. The amendments were purely technical such as commercial operation date was made December 31, the word of alternative fuel was deleted and these amendments were made to meet the requirements of Ogra authorities. The cabinet also discussed revised amendment to Sindh Mining Concession Rules, 2002 and approved it.
The presentation to the cabinet was given by Secretary Mines & Minerals Shams Soomro. The cabinet was told that the Sindh Mining Concession Rules were framed in 2002, but there was a lack of clarity in the existing definition of the licensing authority. The licensing powers were given to secretary Mines & Mineral and the minister has been made appellate authority. The cabinet approved the revised amendment. Secretary Zakat & Usher & religious Affairs Riaz Soomro briefing the cabinet about legislation on Ruet-e-Hilal said that in order to maintain unanimity on all religious occasions nationwide and regulate Ruet-e-Hilal arrangements the federal government has prepared a draft law.
They have requested the provincial governments to pass a resolution thereby allowing the federal government to legislate on their behalf for Ruet-e-Hilal. The other provincial assemblies have already passed such resolutions; therefore Sindh assembly may also pass the same resolution. The cabinet approved the proposal and directed the Zakat & Religious affairs department to submit the resolution in the assembly.
