A file photo of Sindh Assembly. PHOTO: PPI
KARACHI:
The Sindh Assembly on Friday passed the Sindh High Court Constitutional Benches (Practice and Procedures) Bill, 2025 with a majority vote, despite loud protests from PTI lawmakers.
The bill was moved by Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar after PPP MPA Siraj Qasim Soomro presented the committee’s report. As Lanjar tabled the bill in the House, PTI-aligned independent legislators raised slogans and disrupted proceedings.
However, Lanjar defended the bill, explaining that the government had initially promulgated an ordinance and was now converting it into law. He stressed that the bill had been referred to a bipartisan committee, comprising both treasury and opposition members, and no objections had been raised during deliberations.
“Consultations were held and only after that, the bill was brought to the House. Now, at the time of passage, the opposition is creating the impression that a ‘black law” is being introduced,” he added while dismissing the PTI protest.
The minister also pointed out that PTI MPA Sajid had participated in the committee meetings without raising any concerns. He expressed disappointment over the unnecessary protests in the House, saying that some legislators continue to speak out of turn even after the speaker has made a ruling preventing further debate.
Apart from the Constitutional Benches Bill, the Sindh Assembly also passed the Sindh Safe Cities Authority (Amendment) Bill with a majority vote. The bill was again presented by Minister Lanjar. Another bill to grant degree-awarding status to the Government College of Education in Federal B Area, Block 15, was introduced and referred to the relevant standing committee by the speaker.
