Karachi:
Friday, the Sindh Assembly adopted three laws, including a bill increasing the wages and privileges of its members, the 2025 Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) and the 2025 anti-terroristic Sindh (amendment).
The bills were moved by the Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar during a session chaired by President Syed Awais Qadir Shah. The Chamber unanimously approved the bill on salary and compensation, which was previously erased by the provincial cabinet on Thursday.
The new law equalizes privileges for AMP – both of the government and the opposition – covering hospitality, rent of houses, public services, daily and transportation allowances, accommodation, travel and mileage, telephone and medical facilities, as well as office maintenance.
The opposition head will now receive the same salary and the same advantages as a provincial minister. The presidents of the parliamentary committee will be entitled to an official vehicle – with fuel and maintenance – but must return it within three days of the release of the post.
The bill on the board of directors of the Sindh of Intermediate and Secondary Education (amendment), adopted by a majority vote, allows the appointment of BPS-20 and 21 officers as presidents of education councils. Lanjar said that this decision was aimed at inducting competent officers for better performance by the board of directors.
The Sabir Qaimkhani of MQM -Pakistan, however, called to send the bill to the committee concerned for new deliberations to safeguard the autonomy of the board of directors – a suggestion rejected by the Chamber.
The Assembly also adopted the 2025 Anti-Terrorism Sindh (amendment) Bill. The details of the changes were not immediately debated on the ground.
President Shah announced that a special session will be held on August 11 at the old assembly building to mark the minority day, with representatives of the minority communities invited to participate. A motion of Privilege of MQM-Pakistan AMMAR Siddiqui on gas supply problems has been rejected for technical reasons.
During the question time of the AUQAF department, parliamentary secretary Shazia Sanghar answered the written and additional questions of the members.
