The provincial lawmakers' bid to add locality colour to the outstanding performance of Pakistani children at Street Child Football World Cup overshadowed the rousing welcome the bronze medallists received at Sindh Assembly.
On their return from Brazil after winning bronze medal for the nation in Street Child Football World Cup, the Sindh Assembly held a welcome reception to honour the street boys but lawmakers despite showing pride over their achievement persistently attempted to somehow prove the children are from a specific locality. However, there were counter arguments by some legislators who called the children as Pakistani.
The ruling PPP lawmakers said that majority of the street children were from Lyari, which prompted MQM members to declare them children of Sindh and Pakistan. Earlier, the children were given a standing ovation by the lawmakers, when they reached the diplomat galleries of Sindh Assembly wearing Sindhi caps and traditional shawls around their necks. The street children also stood up to reciprocate the legislators' applause.
The house after passing two resolutions on the private members day, turned towards the celebratory reception, as lawmakers from all parties extolled the boys for their performance in the world event. The lawmakers said that winning of bronze medal brightened the nation's image globally. Sindh Senior Education Minister, Nisar Khuhro, appreciated the soccer team and announced that the government would provide education to the street children from primary to post graduation free of cot. He also offered the children to benefit from the government schools' sports infrastructure for training.
A PTI lawmaker, Khuram Sher Zaman, urged the provincial government to give a befitting and encouraging support to the young national heroes. He announced to give Rs 10, 000 from his pocket to each bronze medallist. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, on behalf of Chief Minister Sindh who was not present in the house, announced Rs 200, 000 for each player. He said the government will construct a football stadium for the street children in the city.
Sindh Minister for Social Welfare Department, Rubina Qaimkhani, who spearheaded the whole initiative, said that the children brought pride to Pakistan. She said it was first time when a street children soccer team from Sindh had participated in the world event and won bronze medal for the nation.
Despite lack of resources, she said, the team performed well in the world event. She thanked the civil society, British Council, Unicef and Azad Foundation for their support to the street children team to reach Brazil to take part in the world cup. "These children promoted Pakistani and Sindhi culture in the world event and dispelled the negative impression about country," she told the house. A PTI lady legislator, Dr Seema Zia, urged the government to provide special coaching to the street children to groom them.
It was the PPP's Javed Nagori's speech, who claimed majority of the street children were from Lyari, disturbed the house for a while. He urged media to stop what he said five-year long propaganda against Lyari. He said a small incident of violence in Lyari was flashed for hours on TV screens, which now should end with children's world cup performance.
He also criticised the federal government for its 'bias' attitude towards the sports organisations. He urged the federal government to appoint professionals as heads of the sports organisations and shun political appointments to improve the national games. MQM's lady lawmaker, Bilquees Mukhtiar, said the children had been the assets of Pakistan and improved the national image at the world soccer event. She said her party supports Lyari to attain peace and development and its people. She said the children are Pakistanis.
PLM-F's Nusrat Sehar Abbasi asked the government to materialise its announcement of prize to the children transparently, as past experiences are not encouraging. She said the government should hold a ceremony to distribute the prize. PLM-N's Shafi Jamote asked the government to pay attention to the fishermen community and people of coastal areas whose talent is wasting for lack of opportunities. MQM's Ijaz Mangi and PPP's Lal Chand said the children are pride of entire nation. National anthem was played in the house. Then, the house proceeding was adjourned till Friday morning.
Earlier, the house passed two resolutions. The first was moved by MQM's Saifuddin Khalid over the poor conditions of public sector hospitals. Dr Seema Zia said the private organisations were helping the government hospitals like Jinnah and Civil to run them to help patients.
She said the hospitals even lack essential and life-saving medicines, syringes and equipment to give proper treatment to patients especially women and children. She said the patients were told to bring along the essential medicines before they are treated at state-run hospitals. Sindh Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Dr Sikandar Mandhro, said the situation was not as bleak, as some government hospitals in the province are running with doctors to look after patients and medicines.
Sharjeel Memon said the Chief Minster Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah had approved a board of doctors, which includes reputed personalities like Adeeb Rizvi to bypass the Sipra and procure best quality medicines. To a question, he said the government was compelled to go for lowest priced medicines, which are low quality, as it has to follow procurements rules. He assured the house that the new panel of doctors will help the government provide quality medicines and end corruption in medicines procurement.
The other resolution was moved by MQM's Nand Kumar on low pressure of gas in Sanghar, which was passed unanimously. Lawmakers from either side of the house urged the federal government to help the province attain gas for its residents. They said the province despite producing 70 percent of the gas is facing problems.
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