The government on Monday told Senate categorically there was no plan to privatise or bifurcate the Civil Aviation Authority, allaying the opposition fears in this regard. The government also came under scathing criticism over the privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills, which was given the green signal by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) during its recent meeting.
The house resumed its proceedings after a two-day break with a delay of 20 minutes.
The opposition charged the government committed contempt of the apex court's judgement, which had referred to acts of "omissions and commissions" in the sell-off process.
Combined opposition also walked out from the Senate over interior minister Aftab Sherpao's "inability to reply" to their questions on kidnapping and disappearance incidents in Balochistan.
Opposition leader Mian Raza Rabbani contended the minister must have addressed genuine concerns aired by opposition senators that those kidnapped were not being produced in courts, no legal procedure being adopted and that he did not give any assurance about meeting of their relatives with them without conditions.
Moving a calling attention notice, Rabbani sought an explanation from the government on the proposed bifurcation of the CAA and selling off one of its wings afterwards to a foreign firm.
He also touched upon the CCI's recent decision to again go ahead for PSM's sell-off, saying in its very first meeting, the council, formed after the court decision, set aside other burning issues concerning provinces and without waiting for a detailed Supreme Court judgement, okayed its privatisation.
Describing the CAA as a strategic asset, the opposition leader said through its privatisation, the government wanted to forward the 'foreign agenda', which the state minister for interior Khalid Lund outrightly rejected and said there was no plan to either privatise or bifurcate the authority.
Rabbani pointed out a Dubai-based firm had been paid $0.5 million to draft a report that laid foundation for its sell-off. The real aim was to grab its land in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi worth $240 million that could fetch $1.5 to 2 billion after its development, involving a foreign company under the tag of joint venture, he added. He quoted two news reports in his support.
Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Senator Sadia Abbasi believed if the government continued with the policy of privatisation of key national assets, nothing would be left with the government to offer to coming generations. She contended it was contempt of the Supreme Court.
Earlier, winding up the three-day debate on disappearances in Balochistan, interior minister Aftab Sherpao said Senator Sanaullah Baloch reserved the right to return to the country and present his viewpoint on the floor of the Senate. "We have the record of his speeches, supporting the creation of a separate homeland and backing the Balochistan Liberation Movement."
Rabbani disputed this and said the senator wanted solution of Balochistan issue through dialogue and by granting provincial autonomy to it.
Participating in the debate earlier, Sadia Abbasi called upon the government to put its own house in order instead of paying attention to international issues.
"Political issues are resolved politically and political leaders are given due respect and not insulted," she maintained.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement Senator Tahir Mashhadi believed it would not auger well for rulers that people were being arrested during night, demanded immediate release of brothers of Senators Sanaullah Baloch and Shahid Bugti.
Pakistan Muslim League Senator Gulshan Saeed supported the opposition in their demand for release of people taken into custody without following the law.
However, she toed the government policy and said no one could be allowed to trigger disturbances in the province on at the instigation of India.
The Senate will now resume business on Tuesday at 4:00pm.
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