The government informed the Senate on Friday that the formal inauguration of Gwadar deep sea port was not possible before June next year due to development work at the site. The government, however, told the Upper House it would soon invite expressions of interest (EoIs) from port operators across the world to run the country's biggest sea facility.
Responding to the opposition members' points of order, Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Ghouri dispelled the impression that the delay in Gwadar Port inauguration was due to security reasons.
The Senate also passed two bills, including one to abolish the role of Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for making recruitment on posts between BPS 11-15 in the government offices.
The House rejected all the opposition-proposed amendments to the Federal Public Service Commission (Second Amendment) Bill, 2005.
Almost all the opposition members spoke on the bill and said that sidelining the FPSC role would give way to corruption and favouritism.
The government, however, was able to bag the opposition blessing for another bill by incorporating all of their amendments to it.
The Legal Practitioner and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2005 passed through the Upper House amid peace and harmony.
"There is no security problem delaying the Gwadar inauguration. In fact, it is because of development work there," Ghouri said on port issue.
The minister informed the House that the upcountry link roads were being constructed at a fast pace to link the port with other parts of the country.
Similarly, he said, the infrastructure for telecommunication links and other facilities were also being laid to facilitate potential investors in the project.
Earlier, opposition members from Balochistan sought an explanation as to why Gwadar inauguration was being delayed repeatedly despite announcements.
The nationalist senators attributed the delay due to what they called a fear at the official level due to loopholes in security.
Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party's Raza Muhammad Raza questioned why Gwadar Port couldn't be inaugurated during Chinese prime minister's visit to Pakistan early this year despite an announcement.
Another nationalist Sanaullah Baloch of Balochistan National Party (Mengal group) said the government didn't have credibility among the people of the area and was reluctant to inaugurate the project due to security reasons.
Many other issues were also raised before the Upper House was adjourned to meet again on Monday at 5:30 pm.
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