CM Sindh dissatisfied over delay in finalising census results

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday expresses dissatisfaction at delay in the final result of the census, and said the Sindh government would never allow delay in general election,

The chief minister presiding over a preparatory meeting for 25th Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee (IPCC) said that the provisional census results were presented in the last meeting and the final results would be released by April 2018 which was too late.

Therefore, CM Sindh said that there should be a way out be explored to hold general elections on the basis of provisional census results. He went on saying that his government would never allow delay in general elections.

“(The) delay in releasing final results means delay in elections,” he said adding the government is constitutionally bound to hold elections when final results are released.

CM Sindh said that it was pointed out the general elections could only be held on time based on provisional census results when necessary amendments are made to the constitution.

He said that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had referred the matter to the IPCC and directed to examine the matter from all angles, including constitutional amendment as well as enhancing resources in consultation with the Election Commission of Pakistan, so that the next general elections could be held on the basis of the final results of the sixth population census.

He added that the CCI further directed the IPCC to submit its report in its next meeting.

The chief minister said the Sindh government has serious reservations on population census results. He added that during the last 19 years the population growth of Karachi was shown as 2.6 percent which comes to 5.5 million.

This population growth has been shown in three districts East, Korangi and Malir. He went on saying that 40 percent of the population of Jamshoro has been shown as urban.

He directed the chief secretary to get block-wise census results from Chief Census Commissioner for counter-check, and the results would be clear crystal when some blocks would be rechecked.

IPCC meeting to decide fate of HEC, import of LNG

CM Sindh directed Health Minister Dr Sikandar Mendhro to lead Sindh government team to IPCC meeting being held on Thursday and keep a clear stance.

The other issue to be taken up in the IPCC meeting is the issue of higher education commission and similar bodies in the post-18th constitutional amendment scenario.

The meeting decided that the Sindh government would strengthen the provincial HEC, if the federal government wants to retain it

The federal HEC would only decide standards and their implementation would also be made by the provincial HEC.  It could finance universities in the province but through provincial HEC. This was the stance of the Sindh government or else it is of the view that the federal HEC has ceased to exist.

The IPCC would also discuss Import of LNG but the Sindh government is of the view that this is a CCI subject.

CM Sindh emphasised on the need of introducing reforms in gas sector. He said that there should a regulatory body in which provincial government should have due representation.

The other items to be discussed in the IPCC meeting is gas supply to villages in five kilometre radius of gas producing fields.