KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah led a cabinet meeting resulting in significant policy decisions, including the awarding of grace marks to first-year students, a ban on plastic shopping bags, and new monitoring rules for habitual offenders. The four-hour meeting also saw the establishment of a Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism.

The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by cabinet ministers and senior officials. Among the decisions, the cabinet approved an amendment to the Sindh Prohibition of Non-degradable Plastic Products Rules, 2014, effectively banning plastic shopping bags across the province. The ban will come into force 60 days post-approval.

In response to a decline in passing percentages for Class XI students, the cabinet endorsed grace marks for the Karachi educational board students: 20% in Chemistry and 15% in Physics and Mathematics. This decision follows recommendations from a specially formed committee and echoes a similar measure from the previous year.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the implementation of the Sindh Habitual Offenders Monitoring Act, 2022. The act facilitates the use of electronic monitoring devices for individuals repeatedly arrested for specific crimes, aiming to reduce street crime and enhance urban safety.

A new Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism will be established within the Home Department. The centre will focus on research and policy-making to counteract violent extremism and support FATF efforts against terror financing.

The meeting included approvals for various health and infrastructure projects. Notably, the budget for District Headquarters Hospital Thatta was increased, and a one-year extension was granted to the Medical Education and Research Foundation to support local healthcare facilities.

The cabinet also approved the transfer of numerous government dispensaries to the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) and the allotment of land for infrastructure development, including projects in Tharparkar and Karachi.

The cabinet confirmed several appointments, including leadership roles in the Sindh Education Foundation and Rescue 1122. Age relaxation was granted for the appointment of a director at the Jacobabad Institute of Medical Science.

The meeting concluded with the approval of a nine-month extension for a senior member of the Sindh Revenue Board, ensuring continuity in key administrative roles.