The government ally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and opposition on Tuesday castigated the planned privatisation of Qadirpur Gas Field, stressing that it is the biggest revenue generation source of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) with an annual income of Rs 36 billion; but the government is offering its 37 percent shares at a throw away price.
On a point of order in the National Assembly Haider Abbas Rizvi of MQM reminded the newly elected democratic government that the slain Pakistan People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto, in her inaugural address, gifted this gas field to the people of Sindh.
Giving provincial autonomy to the provinces was very much emphasised in the manifestos of all political parties and this would be a great loss to the people of Sindh in terms of jobs and revenue generation, he added.
Abid Sher Ali of Pakistan Muslim League (N), endorsing Rizvi's statement, said that the government should learn from the past privatisation experience and stop selling profit-earning units. Humayun Saifullah of Awami National Party, commenting on the privatisation issue, said that the Council of Common Interest (CCI) should formulate such policies and regulate them as per the Constitution.
Yasmin Rehman diverted the attention of the House towards the failure of the government to reduce public transport fares in spite of a decrease in petrol and diesel prices in the global market.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, responding to a calling notice, said: "The public transport fares in the Federal capital have been reduced from Rs 12 to Rs 10 per person along with instructions to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, to ensure their implementation."
"The provincial governments are also being taken onboard to bring down the fares with the reduction in petrol and diesel rates. At present, negotiations are under way with the Punjab government," he added. Zafar Bhutani, giving his view on the issue, said that there was 60 percent reduction in global oil prices, but the relief given to the people was only five percent.
Responding to this charge, Dr Babar Awan said the matter would be forwarded to the Standing Committee on Communication to rationalise the public transport fares. Maulana Qadri from Fata urged the members of the august house to turn their attention to the earthquake-affected people of Balochistan, "More than any thing else, these displaced persons need shelter as the winter season has started," he said.
Responding to the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan said that government was aware of the plight of the quake-hit people and had ample stock of food and medicine. It was also providing tents and was constructing small houses to save them from the severe winter, he added.
Noor Alam PPP MNA from NWFP challenged the government's policy of not taking the MPs into confidence before carrying out military operations. Rehman Malik said that the matter would be taken up with the concerned provincial authorities and would be resolved amicably.
Syed Asif Hussain of MQM was of the view that the office of National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) in Karachi should not be shifted from its existing location as it would create problems for the poor masses. Rehman Malik said that efforts were being made to eradicate corruption from the Nadra office, adding that about 3,000 fake ID cards had been recovered and a deputy director level officer apprehended.
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