KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Monday passed the Thar Coal Energy Board Amendment Bill and unanimously adopted a congratulatory resolution on the occasion of Christmas, falling on December 25 - Thursday, extending warm greetings to the Christian community. The Christmas resolution was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) lady lawmaker, Rooma Sabahat. Members belonging to both the treasury and opposition benches congratulated the Christian community on their religious festival and paid tribute to their contributions to society. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Minority Affairs, Sham Sundar Advani said that Christmas symbolizes love and peace and teaches the values of religious tolerance. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) member Sabir Qaimkhani stated that Islam is a religion of love and said MQM was the first party to give minister-level positions to members of the Christian community. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Shabbier Qureshi congratulated the entire Christian community on Christmas Day, while Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq said that Islam itself means peace and extended greetings to Pakistani Christians on their festival. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho recalled that she studied in a Christian school and that a Christian midwife was present at her birth. “My presence is because of them,” she said, congratulating the Christian community on Christmas. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, while congratulating the Christian community, said the PPP government and leadership had always protected minority rights. He added that the Constitution of Pakistan, framed under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, promoted religious harmony and guaranteed complete religious freedom to followers of all faiths. “Christmas is a very important day for the Christian community, and we share in their happiness,” he said. Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed said Sindh, the land of Sufis, is a prime example where all minorities enjoy full religious freedom. The House later unanimously adopted the resolution. During the session, the Assembly also passed the Thar Coal Energy Board Amendment Bill presented by Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar. While presenting the bill, he said it was originally approved in 2011, and certain clauses have now been amended. Earlier, during the Question Hour related to the Local Government Department, Parliamentary Secretary Siraj Qasim Soomro responded to members’ queries in the absence of the provincial minister. Opposition members raised concerns over the lack of public toilets at public places. The parliamentary secretary informed the House that public toilets would be established in all public parks across the city, with dedicated staff appointed for cleanliness. He said the “Clean Sindh” project is underway with World Bank assistance and covers the entire province, including Karachi. MQM member Aamir Siddiqui suggested identifying proper locations for public toilets. Siraj Qasim Soomro said old public toilets had been demolished and new ones were being constructed. Responding to questions on water shortage, he said Karachi does not currently have sufficient water to meet its needs. FIRs have been registered in cases of water theft, and although punishments were not enforced in the past, strict action is now being taken. He added that the Sindh High Court has established a tribunal against water theft, where such cases will now be tried. Amendments are being introduced to the law to prescribe stricter punishments. The parliamentary secretary also told the House that the K-IV water supply project would be completed within one year, after which Karachi’s water problem could be resolved. He said a chain of small dams exists along the Malir River and that a proposal is under consideration, in coordination with the Sindh Building Control Authority, to design systems for storing rainwater. Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi highlighted the shortage of staff in the fire brigade and questioned whether the government would take responsibility for deaths caused during fire incidents. Siraj Qasim Soomro responded that the government has established Rescue 1122 and increased staffing. He said the mayor has pledged to improve services, adding that the Sindh government’s performance is improving and that people vote for them based on this performance. He also informed the House that a firemen training institute is operational in Gadap. Several attention notices were also presented during the session. MQM’s Qurratul Ain raised concerns about the rising use of drugs in Sindh, including their availability in educational institutions, and asked what steps the government was taking. Excise and Narcotics Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla said operations against drugs are ongoing across the province. He said special committees comprising parents and teachers have been formed in schools, with police representatives included, and action is being taken against those involved in the drug trade. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025