Sindh Assembly expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia over drone attack

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A session of the Sindh Assembly is under way on Feb 24, 2024. — Tahir Siddiqui/File
A session of the Sindh Assembly is under way on Feb 24, 2024. — Tahir Siddiqui/File

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously passed two resolutions expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia over a drone attack targeting Makkah and reaffirming commitment to the law of Khatm-i-Nabuwat.

Moving a resolution condemning the drone attack directed at the holy city of Makkah, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan MPA Muhammad Rashid Khan said that the incident hurt the entire Muslim Ummah.

Supporting the resolution, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said that Makkah houses Baitullah and its sanctity would not be allowed to be violated. “Saudi Arabia holds immense importance for the entire Muslim Ummah because the House of Allah, the Holy Kaaba, is there. We not only support this resolution but also demand that the United Nations adopt a similar resolution,” Mr Lanjar said.

The House unanimously adopted the resolution expressing complete solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Also reaffirms commitment to Khatm-i-Nabuwat law

Later, MQM-P member Ejaz-ul-Haq tabled a resolution regarding Khatm-i-Nabuwat, demanding that the federal and provincial governments ensure implementation of Khatm-i-Nabuwat laws and that the subject be included in the curriculum. The law and parliamentary affairs minister supported the resolution, which was passed unanimously.

Call attention notices

Responding to a call attention notice given by MQM-P member Qurat Ul Ain Khan, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Qasim Siraj Soomro said that the Cardiac Medical Centre in Landhi was a KMC-run hospital and much of its machinery was out of order.

He said the government had considered bringing it under the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), but some people had approached the court, which had ruled that it could not be placed under NICVD, although KMC did not have the capacity to run it.

He said that 17 chest pain units were functioning in Karachi.

The MQM-P member said that the Cardiac Medical Centre was in a highly dilapidated condition, where ECG and other tests were difficult to get done, staff strength was low and specialist doctors were not available.

She demanded that the government also provide a generator to the hospital.

MQM-P member Engineer Sabir Hussain Kaimkhani drew the attention of the local government minister to the water shortage in Latifabad and Hyderabad.

He said that the supply of clean water from the filter plant had been disrupted and people had no option but to consume and purchase unhygienic water.

Responding, Planning and Development Minister Jam Khan Shoro said several filter plants existed in Hyderabad which were providing clean water to the people, and that the government had improved many plants while work was underway to restore closed ones.

At present, he said, the Wapda was not providing continuous electricity, which was hampering water supply.

Pedestrian bridges issue

MQM-P’s Aamir Siddiqui, through an adjournment motion, raised the issue of pedestrian bridges on University Road. He said pedestrian bridges had been removed and those that remained were in dilapidated condition. “These bridges were removed due to the Red Line project and now the public is facing great hardship,” he said.

He said that at least one pedestrian bridge should be restored near Karachi University for the students.

However, he withdrew the motion after the law minister assured him that the secretary concerned would be directed to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

On a point of order, Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Ejaz Swati drew the attention of the house towards Pakhtun Culture Day being observed on Sept 23. “This is not just a festival; it is the voice of Pashtuns. I consider myself a Sindhi Yusufzai Pashtun,” he said, adding that a programme had been organised to mark the day and inviting all members to attend.

MQM MPA Qurat-ul-Ain Khan sought to move a resolution for waiving admission fees in technical education institutions in the province.

The law minister requested that it be taken up in the next session so that he could consult the special assistant concerned. Similarly, a resolution on loadshedding sought to be tabled by PTI-backed member Sajjad Ali was deferred, with the law minister informing the member that a meeting to discuss the issue had been called on Sept 23.

Later, the assembly session was prorogued.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026

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