Sindh cabinet approves removing landmarks associated with MQM founder

KARACHI: The government of Sindh has approved to remove any landmarks associated with Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) founder due to his involvement in anti-state activities.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presiding over a cabinet meeting on Saturday was recommended to change the name of any building, ground, area or other thing named after him forthwith. CM Sindh directed the chief secretary to prepare a list of such buildings so that their names could be changed.

Summit Bank merger with Sindh Bank approved

The cabinet unanimously approved the merger of Summit Bank into Sindh Bank. The meeting was told that the board of Sindh Bank has already approved merger of Summit Bank for a swap ratio of 1:4.17, that is one ordinary share of Sindh Bank will be issued for every 4.17 ordinary shares of Summit Bank.

Talking about structure of the transition, the chief minister said that Summit bank would merge into Sindh Bank which would be the surviving entity. Sindh Bank would have majority representation on the board of directors and shareholding would continue to be held by Sindh government and would apply for the combined shares to be listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

Sindh Bank was established on the occasion of death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto in 2011 by establishing its first branch at Naudero where then president Asif Ali Zardari opened his first account. The bank established 300 branches within first three years.

Regularisation of NTS-passed contract teachers

The cabinet has approved regularisation of contract teachers  who have passed the National Testing Service (NTS) through an assembly act, and simultaneously a comprehensive education reforms bill would also be presented for improvement of overall education system in the public sector.

CM Sindh said that the number of teachers who passed NTS and on contract at the University of Sindh are about 21000, but they have to qualify a test for regularisation. He said that education is the matter of life and death for people of province and he has taken it up as a mission to improve public sector education.

He directed chief secretary to prepare a comprehensive education reforms draft bill in which reforms in the entire education system from text books, educational environment in schools, capacity building of teachers, training, performance-based incentives such as increments and promotions, in-service training and refresher courses and establishment of high standard teachers training academy on public-private partnership mode are included.

Prevention of cruelty to animals bill presented

The Sindh Welfare And Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act-2017 was presented. The cabinet approved the concept and formed a committee to review the draft and frame rules so that it could be passed in the assembly in the next session.

CM Sindh that the Treaty of Amsterdam which came into force on May 1, 1999 includes a protocol on animal welfare designed to ensure improved protection and respect for the welfare of animals as sentient beings.

He said that animals have inalienable right to live in an environment which is free from abuse, adequate nourishment and appropriate shelter, treatment and care. He added that harmonious existence of all living things contributes to a sense of respect for animals and violation of these fundamental principles results in degradation of natural and moral fabric of society.

Secretary Wildlife Asif Hyder Shah giving details said that the proposed law would also made it illegal to cruelly beat, kick, ill-treated, over-ride, overload, torture, infuriate or terrify any animal.

He added the other things would also be illegal include causing unnecessary suffering through transportation,  taking part in fighting or baiting of animals, administer poisonous or injurious substances without reason, permit operations to be carried out without due care and humanity, or cause injury or hunt a captive animal in an enclosed space from which it has no chance to escape.