Women’s issues not being addressed, admits minister
Karachi – Minister for Women Development Ms Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto told the Sindh Assembly on Friday that women-related issues were not being addressed properly.
She said that it was also the responsibility of her ministry to bring the women’s issues to the notice of all departments but the same remained unattended. She said that each department was supposed to establish a vigilance committee but this has also not happened. She also criticized the police action against the protest rally of lady health visitors (LHVs) in Islamabad on Thursday.
MQM’s Ms Zareen Majid said that the LHVs were playing an important role in the immunisation campaign for the health of mothers and children but regrettably they were subjected to the police brutality in Islamabad. She urged the government to regularise the services of LHVs.
MQM’s Khalid Ahmed demanded that the issue of increase in transport fares should be referred to the PA’s standing committee on transport. He said that the Transport Department has increased the fare at a time when the price of petroleum products was reduced. He said that under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, the Transport Department was supposed to hold public hearing for transport fare but it was not being followed. He questioned the rationale behind increasing the fares.
Transport Minister Akhter Jadoon said that transport fares were not increased since 2009, while price of diesel was increased up to Rs11. He said that a committee concerned has taken this decision.
PPP’s minority legislator Saleem Khokhar said that the “record of right” of Andrew’s Church in Saddar has been changed by the revenue officials. He apprehended that the church’s property might be sold out and urged the revenue minister to take notice of the matter.
Quoting a news report of Crisis Management Cell, the MQM MPA said that “terrorists” have entered Sindh to target worship places of minorities. He urged the government to beep up security at churches and temples in the province.
Ms Bilqees Mukhtar said that under the Hajj policy, a burden of Rs38,000 has been put on intending pilgrims, and asked the government to reconsider this decision.
Ms Nuzhat Pathan drew the house attention towards frequent load-shedding in Qasimabad and other parts of Hyderabad during night hours.
Ms Nusrat Abbasi asked the government to appoint head of Shah Latif’s Chair at Karachi University who should have Ph.D and expertise on poetry of the great Sufi poet of Sindh.
Ms Rai Naz Bozdar criticized certain elements who have made it their habit to ridicule politicians and legislators.
Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro observed that assembly happens to be the people’s representative institution, and it should be respected. He said that since they expunge un-parliamentary language from the assembly proceedings, it was also advisable for others to avoid using awkward language against the people’s representatives.
Source: The News
Date:6/5/2010
” 
” 
” 
” 
