Wheat release price cut, flour drops by Rs17 per kg

The cabinet also approved the registration of Lady Dufferin Hospital Trust under the Sindh Trust Act 2020 and draft rules for registering and regulating charitable organisations under the Sindh Charities Registration and Regulation Act 2019.

The senior minister said Rs502.409 million in additional funds had been approved for five development schemes in Jamshoro district, including the water supply scheme and installation of reverse osmosis plants in Sehwan. Another scheme worth Rs2.993 billion was approved to improve water supply and drainage facilities in Nawabshah town.

A cabinet committee has also been formed to address issues concerning katchi abadis and develop a legal framework for a one-window operation to streamline their administration. On infrastructure, Sharjeel said 75% of the Ghotki-Kandhkot bridge over the Indus had been completed under the public-private partnership model.

Traffic crackdown. Turning to Karachi's worsening traffic situation, the senior minister announced that a Traffic Management Authority would be established to improve traffic regulation, with legislation to be presented for approval soon. A smart traffic management system would also be introduced to improve traffic flow and monitor violations.

He warned of indiscriminate action against traffic violators, including vehicles carrying fancy or illegal number plates and those displaying firearms. People openly carrying weapons in plain clothes would be arrested, while the vehicle owner accompanying an armed guard would also face detention, he said.

Sharjeel urged citizens to share responsibility for road safety, saying the government alone could not be blamed for violations. Driving by underage children and dangerous stunts such as one-wheeling, even in affluent neighbourhoods, remained serious concerns.

He called on media organisations to support public awareness campaigns, saying the government's priority was to protect lives and prevent road accidents. The senior minister also vowed to remove encroachments from city roads, while insisting that the government did not intend to deprive people of their livelihoods.

However, he said, enforcement of the law and public convenience could not be compromised. No permission for political rallies on Sharea Faisal. On the MQM-P's proposed rally, Sharjeel said political parties were free to hold public gatherings but must first obtain permission from the relevant authorities and comply with the law.

He categorically ruled out permission for any political gathering on Sharea Faisal, warning the MQM-P against attempting to repeat the events of May 12. Addressing the party, he said the government would not allow a repeat of the violence witnessed that day.

He said political activities were permitted within constitutional and legal limits, but no party could impose its decisions on the government or create an atmosphere of confrontation and unrest.

On the debate over new provinces, Sharjeel reiterated that the PPP and Sindh government had made their position clear, adding that no law or decision could override the Sindh Assembly's authority on the matter.

He also criticised MQM-P leaders Mustafa Kamal, Farooq Sattar and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, questioning their electoral standing and alleging that they had entered parliament through backdoor arrangements rather than direct public votes. Other developments.

Responding to a question about the deadly Tharparkar ambulance incident, Sharjeel said the provincial government had announced financial assistance for the affected families and taken immediate steps following the incident. He said President Asif Ali Zardari was visiting development projects across the province to review their progress.

On public transport, the senior minister said more than 100 electric buses were expected to arrive in Sindh by the end of November, while double-decker buses would also reach the province soon. Construction of the depot for the Red Line BRT project was progressing rapidly, he added.