Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously demanded of federal government to abolish its 'deep sea fishing licensing policy 2018' that risks about 1.6 million fishermen's living, besides terming it a 'violation' of 18th Constitutional Amendment.
The demand was made in a unanimously adopted resolution that says that licensing policy is also against fish stock assessment report of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that indicated that over 72 percent of the seafood reserves in the country's seas have already declined.
"This House resolves and recommends to the government of Sindh to approach the federal government to withdraw and abolish its Deep Sea Fishing Licensing Policy 2018, which is violation of the Constitution following the 18th [Constitutional] Amendment, an encroachment on the livelihood of an estimated 1.6 million poor fishermen of Sindh as well as Balochistan and an open disregard to the assessment by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that more than 72 per cent of the fish stock in coastal areas of Pakistan has already declined," read the resolution.
Earlier, replying to a query during the assembly's question and answer session, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah told the house that the provincial government borrowed about 23 cash development loans (CDL) to the tune of Rs 4.3 billion for a period of 25 years, including five years grace period, while.
The CM, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Finance and Human Rights, said that currently there were 23 federal CDLs amounting Rs 14,132 million as of June 30, 2018. The interest rate varies from 7.42 per cent to 17.71 per cent annually for a period of 25 years that includes a five-year grace period, he said, adding that Sindh borrowed its last CDL in 2003-4 from the federal government.
He said that the provincial government did not borrow from the commercial banks.
"Provincial government takes Overdraft (OD) from the State Bank of Pakistan whenever it needs funds. Such a borrowing was made by the interim government this year," he said, adding that there is no outstanding borrowing from the State Bank from September 2016 to September 2018.
Shah said Sindh is bound by the federal government's policy, besides the conditions of the agreement that bar it from retiring its entire borrowings. He said that provincial governments regularly pay off the loan in installments.
To a question, the CM Sindh replied that every citizen has right to education. He said education is free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages and its focus would be full development of the human personality and strengthening of respect of human rights and fundamental freedom.
Chief Minister said that Human Rights Department continues to work on rights of education with close link to the concerned department to improve the mechanism for recruitment system on merit, besides ensuring attendance of teachers.