Opposition’s resolution turned down in Sindh Assembly

KARACHI: Sindh Assembly on Thursday turned down a resolution tabled by opposition's Nusrat Seher Abbasi.
Through her resolution Ms Abbasi wanted reservation of at least 33 percent job opportunities for female workers in each department/institution under administrative control of Federal and Provincial Governments.
Speaking on her resolution Ms Abbasi said that in Islam as in the Constitution both men and women have equal status but the women are ignored in every field.
She said that if the woman has equal status with men, then there should be 50 percent job quota for them or at least 33 percent.
She pointed out that the secret of development of developed countries is that they provide equal job opportunities to their female folk.
However, MQM's Shoaib Bukhari said that although he is not against the resolution, the mover is limiting the job opportunities for women and acting against women's own interest.
He said that there are many women Ministers and they can provide 100 percent jobs in their departments what to speak of 33 percent alone.
He pointed out that in Civil Hospital Karachi, five departments are headed by women while women have also been elevated as judges in the higher judiciary. He said that jobs to women should be provided on merit.
Information Minister Shazia Marri was of the view that in politics there is no difference between men and women responsibilities.
"We should emphasis on getting our talent and capabilities acknowledged and not to seek jobs as charity", she declared.
She pointed out that there is no quote for participation in general elections and women who are elected are returned merely because of their talent. She said that it will be injustice to merit if jobs are given under quota and would amount to degrading the women.
PPP's Bachal Shah said that women should strive for 100 percent jobs as 33 percent has no value.
Sassui Palejo said womenfolk don't want discrimination against male folk and there should be open competition for jobs and instead of quota, should talk about merit.
She said if the demand for quota is made because women constitute over 50 percent of population, then quota should be at 52 percent, but it would not be fair and would deprive those who merit for jobs. She said there is need to change mind set and not quota.
Opposition's Arif Mustafa Jatoi said that quota for women is there right from Union Council upto National Assembly.
Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza said that it is only during PPP regimes that reforms for women are talked about. She said it was a dream of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto that there should be 20 percent job quota for women, but it could not materialise because of exploiting society.
She said that now Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his August 14 address assured of fixing job quota for women at 20 percent.
Provincial Minister Rafiq Engineer while quoting provisions of Constitution said that these are explicit as regards to the rights of citizens of Pakistan and in the light of same there was no need for this resolution.
He said instead of fixing the quota, the emphasis should be on quality and merit.
After speeches by a number of government and opposition members, the Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said that PPP has take a number of steps for political and economic empowerment of women.
He recalled that twice the PPP elevated a woman as Speaker of National Assembly and now it is granting land to women haris while 60 percent women are being imparted skill training under Benazir Bhutto Youth Development Program.
Law Minister said that women are being given preference in every field and, therefore, they should not be restricted to 33 percent quota as on merit they can earn 100 percent jobs.
Later Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro put the resolution before the House and was rejected with majority count.-APP