Sindh Assembly passes bill to set up provincial evacuee trust property board.

KARACHI -- Amid protest by two main opposition parties, the Sindh Assembly on Friday passed the Sindh Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Bill, 2019 enabling the provincial government to manage evacuee properties attached to charitable, religious or educational trusts or institutions.

Presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, the new provincial law also repeals the provision of the Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, 1975, a federal law, to the extent of Sindh.

The statement of objects and reasons of the new law said that the subject fell within the provincial domain and the provincial assembly was competent to enact a law in the subject matter as provided by Article 142 (c) of the Constitution in view of the abolition of the Concurrent Legislative List by the 18th Amendment.

After enactment of the bill, a board namely Sindh Evacuee Trust Property Board would also be established.

Opposition protests over water shortage in Karachi

While the house witnessed ruckus for umpteenth time with opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan protesting over water shortage in Karachi, the assembly completed its entire agenda by taking up all questions, calling-attention notices, privilege and adjournment motions and a government bill.

At the outset, the PTI and MQM-P members rose to speak on what they termed a very important matter for the people of Karachi. However, they were denied by Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, who said: 'I will give you time but let this agenda be completed.'

The chair's assurances, however, did not stop the opposition members from protesting as they gathered in front of the rostrum, held placards inscribed with anti-government slogans and demands of provision of water.

Leader of the Opposition Haleem Adil Sheikh said that the people of Karachi were 'dying' of water shortage. He demanded that the speaker allow opposition's members to speak on the very important issue.

'Business of the house is also very important, I am assuring that you would be given floor to speak,' Speaker Durrani told the PTI and MQM-P members before calling Question Hour.

The...

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