KARACHI: Sindh cabinet has imposed bans on purchase of new vehicles as well as usage and sale of polythene bags for three years. The cabinet has also approved a committee to review draft of Sindh Police postings and transfer rules. Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister (CM) for Information Barrister Murtaza Wahab briefed journalists about the decisions of Sindh cabinet on Saturday. He said that the cabinet also approved Shaheed Muhtrama Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma Bill. According to Barrister Wahab, it also approved board of Sindh Child Protection Authority. He said that the cabinet had also recommended to release 12 severely ailing prisoners. He said that Sindh cabinet approved last cabinet meeting minutes. “We want to improve and solve environmental problems so we decided to implement Sindh Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) under which non degradable polythene bags cannot be purchased, used, manufactured or imported,” he announced. The provincial minister said that the ban on polythene bags would be imposed in phases within time period of three months. He explained that Sukkur region had been selected for the first phase and in the next phase; there would be a complete ban on non-degradable polythene bags in the metropolis and in Hyderabad and rest of Sindh. He informed that traders of polythene and plastic bags would also be engaged in this regard and added that federal government would also be approached to increase import duty on polythene bags to discourage their import. The advisor said that Sindh cabinet had imposed a ban on purchase of new vehicles for three years and wanted to introduce a policy in which a 17 grade officer would be offered a vehicle on lease. “Officer should pay its installments and completion of installment, officer will be given ownership of vehicle. Officer would also be responsible for maintenance of vehicle,” he shared. He informed the journalists that Shaheed Muhtrama Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma was now authorised to launch post-graduate programs like FSPS, MS, MD, PHD in artho surgery, neurosurgery, traumalogy and in the field of emergency medicine. He said that it was also agreed that a committee would be formed to review the transfers of Sindh police and postings. He said that the committee comprised of Sindh minister for Energy, Minister for Mines and Minerals, Law advisor, Sindh Home Department secretary and Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP). He said that Sindh cabinet gave approval to release 12 severely ailing and aged prisoners as Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) had also issued a verdict supporting the notion. He said that committee had reviewed 27 such cases and recommended release of 12 prisoners. Sharing details, he said that one prisoner had been released from jail and one was an Indian national so he would be released in consultation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He further informed that one prisoner was awarded death sentence, five were given life imprisonment sentences while four were currently under trial. He said that Sindh chief minister (CM) had directed district administrations to keep prisoners who were released on humanitarian grounds under a strict watch. He said that Sindh chief minister had directed Prison Department to send a list of ailing inmates to Sindh cabinet through medical committees. He further informed that cabinet also reviewed Prison IG and Prison Recruitment Rules DIG and rejected 2015 and 2018 rules in this regard. He said that out of 1978 original rules, 890 were restored, according to which promotion of Prison IG would be made among Prison DIG. He said that Sindh chief minister (CM) had desired to change name of Prison Department and to give the status of special force to prison police. Provincial advisor informed that cabinet also approved constitution of Board of Sindh Child Protection Authority and directed Social Welfare Department secretary to purpose names for the board. Published in Daily Times, November 11th 2018.