The government is expecting a major breakthrough with Dubai-based Etisalat. This was claimed by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Wednesday while saying that recent engagements with Etisalat remained very positive and they are likely to reach some conclusion very soon.
Earlier this month, the minister had stated that the process has been re-initiated to materialise the outstanding dues on account of PTCL privatisation and he would try to find a middle way for the early resolution to the matter. "We have also requested Prime Minister Imran Khan in this regard," said Siddiqui.
Earlier on Wednesday while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, the minister said that no properties are under consideration to be sold, adding that profit of shareholders has been stopped.
The committee met with Rubina Khalid in the chair here on Wednesday where Managing Director Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Trust (PTET) gave a briefing regarding non-payment of increase in pension to the pensioners of PTCL by PTET as announced by the government from time to time. The affecttees were also present in the meeting.
At present, quorum of the PTET Board of Trustees is not complete as two nominations awaited from Ministry of IT&T. As soon as the quorum is complete, the meeting will be called and the subject matter will be presented to the Trustees.
The minister assured the committee that the matter would be discussed with the Finance Minister Asad Umar in a week and he would try to resolve it at the earliest. He admitted that the announcement of the government in 2010 about the increase in pension should be honoured. He further said if there requires amendment in law, it would be amended but the matter should be resolved.
The parliamentary panel observed that every delaying tactics was utilised to deprive the aged people of their basic rights.
The committee observed that about 15,000 persons, mostly old men and widows, are suffering and the matter needs to be resolved on humanitarian basis as soon as possible.
Reviewing the presented statistics, Senator Imamuddin Shouqeen was of the view, "This is an extremely serious issue as we see people who have dedicated their lives to the service of this country are being deprived of their lifelong savings at a crucial stage of their lives."
Senator Rubina Khalid stressed the need for alleviating the troubles of pensioners and said that her head hung in shame to see the plight of these people. She asserted that it is important that the committee takes a final decision regarding this issue that day.
While deliberating over the financials that were presented to the committee, Senator Rukhsana Zuberi was of the view that the organisation has funds and that now it is time that the committee is informed about the schedule of payments. She added that as per the decision of the Supreme Court, the PTET has to pay pensions to all pensioners without delay. She said that committee wants the money should be disbursed to all affected pensioners.
The committee decided to meet again on January 2, and recommended the concerned departments to find a solution and inform the parliamentary panel.
The committee also took notice of the allegedly loss of Rs 62 billion to the national exchequer on account of non-paying taxes while using 3G/4G services in AJK & GB. The ministry said that AJK & GB are not under its ambit. But senators replied that policy is being given by the government of Pakistan. The committee sought complete details from the ministry in this regard.
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