Day: January 18, 2022

KARACHI:The Sindh Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday, took important decisions, including release of Rs58 billion debt support fund for ongoing PPP mode development projects, provision of Rs4 billion grant to NICVD, established Sindh Physiotherapy Council, reconstituted Zakat Council, allocated 0.5 percent job quota for transgenders and decided to organize festivals in every district but two more events in Thar during this winter.

The cabinet meeting held at the CM House on Tuesday was attended by all the provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, ACS Home, Chairman P and D and other concerned officers. The provincial cabinet in order to effectively and efficiently finance Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects had approved Rs58 billion for nine different projects to clear their liabilities.

The funds approved for the nine projects, include Rs13.1 billion for Malir Expressway, Rs19.2 billion for Nabisar-Vajihar water works, RS6.73 billion Ghotki-Kandhkot bridge on River Indus, Rs4.3 billion Mauripur Expressway, Rs5 billion Korangi Link Road, Rs7.3 billion Karachi Hub water Canal, Rs862 million for Karachi-Thatta Carriageway, Rs440 million Children Hospital North Karachi and Rs830 million for Regional Blood Centers. The PPP unit would utilize the funds for debt servicing of the projects. The chief minister directed the PPP Unit to expedite the works on the projects going on so that they could be completed in time.

Wheat stocks: The cabinet was told that the NAB had declared shortage of 67,846.94 tons of wheat in Kashmore and Naushero Feroze districts but when they shortage was verified it was recorded at 21,409.71 tons and 33,917.41 tons were available but were declared in the custody of the NAB.

The food department said that they had talked to the NAB authorities and told them that if the stocks available were not lifted the grain worth Rs1 billion would be infested with weevil. The NAB authorities told the food department that they have not stopped them from carrying the wheat. The cabinet directed the food department to lift the stocks and start them releasing as per policy.

NICVD: The health department told the cabinet that National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD)/ has been given short payment during the last three years, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, had released less funds than the allocated amount. Therefore, the NICVD has liabilities of Rs7.4 billion. The cabinet approved release of Rs4 billion immediately and the remaining amount would be provided to the NICVD later on.

District Health Officers: The Health department told the cabinet that they were facing an acute shortage of administratively skilled, dynamic and workaholic BS-20 officers, for their to posting as District Health Officers in various districts for effective performance as head of district health administration. The cabinet was told that most of the posts of administrative nature are in grade BS-18 or in BS-19 at district level, such as deputy commissioner. The cabinet, after discussion approved conversion of DHO post of BS-20 to floating post of Grade BS-20/19.

Sindh Physiotherapy Council (SPC): Sindh cabinet approved creation of SPC to grant recognition to any institution in the province which trains for house job or internship or supervision clinical practice in foundation related to physiotherapy. The council would also regulate the minimum time duration of internship of the physiotherapy internees. The SPC would also be responsible for standardizing the hospitals physiotherapy departments and physiotherapy clinics for treatment purposes.

The cabinet was told that Pakistan’s first Physical Therapy Institution was established in JPMC, Karachi, Sindh. At present 20 different public and private sectors universities offering PT Degree programs, more than 1000 professionals are graduating. In the recent past approximately 50 new physical therapy colleges mostly below standard have been opened, Hence the number of graduates is estimated to increase up to 5000 per year in near future.

The cabinet was told that due to the absence of a regulatory body the profession of physics was engulfed by quackery, low quality clinical setups and poor education standards. The cabinet approved creation of the SPC and its draft bill and referred it to the assembly.

ADP Bar code: The meeting was told that the ADP schemes are allotted an ADP number every year and the number keeps changing for the same scheme as the scheme progresses in the next financial year. This creates confusion and problems to maintain data for every scheme.

The finance department on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister has developed Bar code or what it has been named as Unique Identification Number (UIN). The UIN would be allotted to every individual scheme and would remain unchanged for the scheme throughout its lifespan from its inclusion in the ADP till its completion. The cabinet approved the UIN scheme that would be launched from next ADP-2022-23.

Zakat Council: The provincial cabinet on the proposal of Zakat and Usher dept constituted and approved the appointment of Niaz Hussain Jessar, a retired Karachi Port Trust, as new chairman Sindh Zakat Council. The members of council who appointment has been approved by the cabinet include Mufti Ferozeuddin Hazarvi, Mufti Mohammad Nazir Jan Sarhandi and Mohammad Ashraf Gormani (Ulema), Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Ashraf Ali Isran (prominent persons) and Mst Shama Arif Mithani and Advocate Shakira Siddiqui (women). These appointments have been made for a period of three years on honorary period.

Transgender quota: The provincial cabinet approved to fix 0.5 percent quota for Transgenders in recruitment in all the government departments for which amendment in Sindh Civil bill was made.

Festivals: The chief minister told the cabinet that the Thar Jeep Rally had developed a soft image of Tharparkar. The participants of the rally were amazed to see the development in Thar and congratulated him for taking such unbelievable natives. Mr Shah directed the Sports department to plan a detailed programme for organizing sports events in every district but during the on-going winter season two events could be held in Thar. “Next year, we will try to organize the Desert Jeep Challenge on International level, therefore planning for the upcoming event must be started from the current financial year,” he said.

Ex. Director SICHN: The provincial cabinet approved the appointment of Prof. Syed Jamal Raza as Executive Director of Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN). Karachi for a period of three years. He was selected amongst three short-listed candidates.

KARACHI:A 16-member delegation of SITE Association called on Governor Sindh, Imran Ismail here at Governor’s House today. The delegation was led by Patron of the SITE association, Muhammad Zubair Motiwala.

The Governor Sindh extended assurance that every possible cooperation and assistance would be provided to the traders and industrialists. “Karachi is the economic hub of the country and it would be ensured that the industries continue to perform at a faster pace as Industrial development is inevitable for national prosperity”, he added.

The Governor also asked the members of the delegation to submit detailed working paper regarding the problems being faced. “The government will consider the suggestions forwarded by the business community as the federal government has prioritized to creating ease in doing businesses”, he added. He further said that he would approach the federal government for the up-gradation of the existing infrastructure and solution of other highlighted issues.

The Governor Sindh maintained that the confidence of industrialists, business community and investors over mega development projects and economic policies was a must for the growth of industries and trade activities. It was, therefore, decided to hold regular meetings for timely input of businessmen and industrialists besides resolution of pertinent issues. Governor Sindh asked the Principal Secretary Dr Saif ur Rehman for scheduling the SIDCL meeting on fortnightly basis.

KARACHI:With regard to welfare services, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology launched Winter Drive 2022 to distribute warm clothes and other necessary things to the poor and needy people in winter. Under this campaign, hundreds of blankets, warm quilts, jackets, sweaters and other warm clothes were distributed among the deserving people. The faculty members of Sir Syed University organized the campaign with strong support of all departments and students.

On the auspicious occasion, expressing his views, the Chancellor of Sir Syed University, Jawaid Anwar said that the faculty members of the university are the real motivators of Winter Drive 2022 who initiated this campaign. This is the first welfare campaign organized by teachers to reach out to the poor and needy. All departments of the university including students fully cooperated in this campaign. Teachers are a beacon of light for students. Seeing them engaged in welfare work inspires them and other people to participate in social activities.

He pointed out that earlier students and others were doing this kind of work individually or in small groups. Now it is being done collectively and systematically under the guidance of the SSUET faculty. The university provided all kinds of resources and fully supported at every step.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin said that distribution of warm clothes in winter in the spirit of service to the needy and poor families is a human duty along with charity. It brings Allah’s pleasure and contentment. So, move ahead for the service of mankind and humanity.

Registrar Syed Sarfraz Ali said that human service is a divine and commendable act. Helping others, particularly in the time of need, is one of the most appreciating deeds in the sight of Allah, which is an ongoing charity. Muhammad Arshad Khan, General Secretary, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association, said that service to the people is a sacred spirit, which does not need a leader for its movement. The best thing to do is to spend most of our lives in the service of the mankind.