Daily Times

KARACHI: Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution seeking ban on the import, sale and purchase of gutka, and betel nut in the province.

The resolution was tabled by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Pakistan (PTI) lawmaker Dr Seema Zia who stated that gutka is injurious to health as well as it is pre-cancerous.

“Pakistan ranks 3rd in the countries in which mouth cancer is on the rise. Gutka and betal nut are easily available and children can access to these substandard items with ease that is why the cases have been reported in which people aged five to six years got mouth cancer,” she said while speaking on the resolution at the assembly. Later, the assembly adopted the resolution unanimously.

The provincial assembly also adopted a resolution, moved by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Ghazala Sial, in which it recommended the government to approach the federal government to direct or bound the electric supply companies working in the province to stop the unannounced load shedding. Another resolution the assembly unanimously adopted was moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Fazl (PML-F) lawmaker Nand Kumar which recommended the provincial government to declare the occasions of Holi, Dewali and Easter as public holidays for minorities permanently. In addition to this, it was also recommended that the advance salaries should be paid on those occasions to the employees of Sindh
government belonging to minorities.

The fourth resolution was moved by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmaker Sabir Hussain Kaimkhani and it was also adopted by the assembly unanimously. It recommended the Sindh government to establish the campus of Sindh University at Hyderabad city.

PML-F MPA Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah also moved a resolution urging the Sindh government to approach federal government to issue at least three licences of prohibited bore to the member of provincial assembly for the purpose of personal protection and security. Besides, it urged the provincial government to recommend for reserving quota of at least 10 arms licences of non-prohibited bore.

However, minister for education and parliamentary affairs objected over the resolution, saying the law and order situation witnessed an improvement in the province and there was no need of arms and adopting such resolution. Later, the resolution moved by PML-F MPA Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah was dropped.