Sindh cabinet awards grace marks to 1st-year students, bans plastic bags

Sindh cabinet awards grace marks to 1st-year students, bans plastic bags

Sindh cabinet awards grace marks to 1st-year students, bans plastic bags
• CS to initiate inquiry against all educational boards for irregularities
• Habitual offenders to be monitored through anklets
• Excellence Centre to address issues of violent extremism
KARACHI (April 15): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a four-hour cabinet meeting during which several key decisions were made, including granting grace marks to first-year students of the Karachi educational board, banning all types of plastic shopping bags, approving rules to monitor habitual offenders with electronic devices, such as anklets and bracelets, the establishment of a Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism was agreed upon to address issues of violent extremism.

The cabinet also pledged support to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) working groups focused on terror financing, along with various other decisions.

The meeting held at CM House was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretaries and concerned secretaries.

Ban on Plastic Shopping Bags: The cabinet observed that environmental protection includes measures to prevent pollution and preserve ecological balance. The cabinet approved the amended Sindh Prohibition of Non-degradable Plastic Products Rules, 2014, to potentially ban the manufacturing, sale, and use of all plastic shopping bags in the province, including non-degradable and oxo-degradable types. This ban will take effect sixty days after the cabinet's approval.

The decline in passing percentage: The University & Board (U&D) department reported on a sharp decline in passing percentages for Class XI results in 2024 from the Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi.

On January 13, 2025, the Sindh Assembly formed a Special Committee, headed by Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, to investigate this decline. They created a Sub-Committee, led by Dr. Sarosh H. Lodi, Vice Chancellor of NED University, to conduct a detailed inquiry.

The Sub-Committee's main recommendations include granting grace marks to all students: 20% in Chemistry and 15% each in Physics and Mathematics. The Chief Minister has also directed reforms to improve Board operations and prevent such issues in the future. While the Sindh Boards Ordinance of 1972 does not allow for grace marks, a similar measure was approved by the caretaker chief minister in 2023 based on a previous inquiry.

The chief minister expressing displeasure in the educational boards directed the chief secretary to constitute a committee comprising up-right officers to conduct inquiry against irregularities in all the educational boards across Sindh and report him.

Sindh Habitual Offenders Monitoring Rules: The Sindh Habitual Offenders Monitoring Act, 2022, notified on August 11, 2023, aims to combat street crime and enhance safety in cities. The Act allows for the monitoring of habitual offenders using electronic devices (anklets/bracelets). A "Habitual Offender" is defined as someone arrested multiple times for specific crimes, including vehicle theft and drug offenses.

The use of electronic monitoring began in the U.S. in 1983 and has since spread to various countries, including South Korea, where it led to a significant reduction in sex offender cases.

Key features of the new rules include creating databases of e-tagged offenders at various police levels. The monitoring devices must be waterproof, durable, non-removable, and capable of real-time tracking. Magistrates will order the attachment of these devices for at least six months, based on police requests or their own initiative. The cabinet has approved these rules.

Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Act: The Sindh Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Act, 2025, was presented to the cabinet. It will be established within the Home Department, led by a Board of Governors chaired by the Home Minister.

The Centre's main functions include conducting research, developing policies to counter violent extremism, and providing support to FATF working groups on terror financing. It aims to counter online radicalization, hate speech, and youth delinquency, while also reporting action plans to the Board.

Additional roles involve engaging experts for discussions, organizing capacity-building workshops, training programs for socio-economic integration of youth, women, and minorities, collaborating with religious leaders to combat extremist interpretations of religion, and liaising with international entities on terrorism-related issues.

Upgradation of Excise Department Positions: The cabinet approved the upgradation of Excise Constables from Grade BS-5 to BS-7, Defedars from BS-6 to BS-9, and Jamadars from BS-7 to BS-11. Additionally, Rs 39.9 million was allocated for the purchase of 9mm pistols, ammunition, and bulletproof jackets for the Excise Department.

COVID-19 doctors: On the proposal of the health department, the cabinet has approved the termination of 289 COVID-19 doctors and staff nurses, as their extended contracts expired on June 30, 2024. Therefore, there is no need to seek approval for their termination since their appointments were for a specific period.

Regarding the cases of 102 candidates declared "ineligible" due to issues with PMDC registration and House Job requirements for re-assessment, it is not advisable to waive these deficiencies. Similarly, candidates declared "ineligible" due to being "overage" may pursue similar relief, which could lead to potential litigation in the future.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the extension of 32 leftover COVID-19 doctors, and the department is to review and consider all remaining personnel.

Health Facilities of District Thatta:The Sindh cabinet has increased the budget for District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Thatta, now a Tertiary Hospital, from Rs. 485 million to Rs. 835 million for the fiscal year 2024-25, including a 10% increase for the first year.

An initial Rs. 150 million is allocated for essential machinery and equipment in 2024-25, with another Rs. 150 million for 2025-26. Additionally, Rs. 100 million is designated for the renovation of 23 wards in the Tertiary Hospital.

The cabinet has also approved a one-year extension for the Medical Education and Research Foundation (MERF) to support the newly established medical college and upgraded DHQ.

For seven other health facilities in Thatta district—THQ Sakro, Gharo, RHC Jung Shahi, RHC Var, RHC Jherruk, RHC Keti Bandar, and RHC Bhagan—the budget has increased from Rs. 557.1 million to Rs. 612.8 million.

Govt Dispensaries: The cabinet approved the transfer of 274 Government Dispensaries (GDs) to the PPHI, in accordance with the yearly phasing, along with the operational costs budgeted in PC-1 for the years CFY 2024-25, 2025-26, and FY 2026-27.

It is important to note that a total of 392 GDs will be handed over to the PPHI in phases, with budgetary provisions outlined for each year. Of the total 392 GDs, 68 have already been transferred to PPHI, including their operational costs. An additional 50 GDs, together with their operational costs as per PC-1, were handed over to PPHI Sindh in FY 23-24. The remaining 274 GDs, recommended by the Project Director, SIHPP, will be transferred to PPHI Sindh, along with their operational costs budgeted in PC-1 as previously mentioned.

Allotment of land: The cabinet, upon the request of the Investment Department, has approved the allotment of 10.2 acres of land for the construction of Access Road-2, which will enhance the connectivity of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with the National Highway (N-5).

Additionally, the cabinet has granted a 99-year lease for the allotment of 3.34 acres in District Malir and District West Karachi for the Marble City Access Road, as requested by the Investment Department.
The cabinet also approved the allotment of 10-12 acres of land to the National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC), Hyderabad, in Taluka and District Matiari for the construction of the Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line Project.

The cabinet has also approved the allotment of 5,816 square feet of government land for the construction of the Ram Ashram at Nangarparkar, District Tharparkar, as requested by the Pakistan Hindu Council.

Furthermore, the cabinet allotted 165,415 square feet of government land for the construction of the Ashram of Faqeer Parbarhm in Taluka Diplo, District Tharparkar. Additionally, government land measuring 12-20 acres surrounding the Churrio Temple/Mandir at Nagarparkar, District Tharparkar, has also been allotted.

Appointments: Sindh Cabinet approved the appointment of Ganhwar Leghari as MD of Sindh Education Foundation, Wajid Sibghatullah as DG Rescue 1122, Zainulabedin Shah as CEO of Sindh IT Company.
The cabinet approved the proposals of age relaxation in respect of Dr. Brigadier Muhammad Zubair Sheikh for the position of Director (BS-20), Jacobabad Institute of Medical Science, Jacobabad.
Lastly, the Chief Minister has approved a nine-month extension for Mr. Abdul Hameed Memon as a Senior Member of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), effective from March 13, 2025, to December 12, 2025.