The opposition lawmakers from Punjab on Monday blasted the government for gas load-shedding and stoppage of ongoing gas projects in the province, saying it is in no way acceptable.
Speaking on a calling attention notice moved by MNAs Shaukat Ali Bhatti, Malik Karamat Ali Khokhar, Khawaja Shiraz Mehmood, Imtiaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai, they said that the ensuring smooth supply of gas in the largest province of the country is no more government's priority, which is in no way justified.
Khokhar said, "There is no gas in Lahore - the provincial capital - and the minister should tell us what's going on, as his managing director has nothing to justify the gas shortage in harsh winter season."
"If this is the situation of Lahore, what to talk about adjacent areas," he questioned.
Bhatti said, "The minister has been giving us assurance about re-allocation of the funds lapsed last year, but so far there has been no progress on it and the gas projects have been left incomplete."
"It's affecting 130 villages and protesting people are looking forward to the Center and I'm sure the government will not give us step-motherly treatment," he lamented.
The minister said that a committee headed by Defense Minister Pervez Khattak has been formed to look into the funds lapsed for the ongoing projects and the issue will be resolved soon.
Sardar Talib expressed dismay over the government's response, saying he approached Pervez Khattak, Asad Umar and the minister himself, but all proved an exercise in futility.
"All these people [ministers] are lying. I need Rs 190 million fund which had been lapsed," he added.
Minister for Power Omer Ayub said that the government would not lie as "PM Imran Khan's cabinet ministers do not lie," adding the supply is the biggest issue as no work has been done on gas exploration during the last 10 years.
"The stuck-up projects will be approved next week as committee headed by Pervez Khattak will approve the funds which were lapsed," he added.
Khattak said that the cabinet will approve the committee next week, and then all the schemes of the members will be approved.
The Speaker referred the issue to the committee concerned for further deliberation and reporting back to the House.
Ayub said that Pakistan has become a gas deficient country as there is a huge difference between supply and demand. He said that the difference is mainly due to no exploration during the last ten years.
He said the PTI government has started 8 new gas exploration blocks while 18 more blocks will soon be offered for bidding.
Responding to another calling attention notice of MNAs Ali Nawaz Awan, Raja Khurram Shahzad and Nafeesa Khattak regarding electricity connections for tube wells meant for community based supply schemes in Islamabad Capital Territory at the higher rate of A3 tariff instead of the lower DI tariff, Ayub said that the reduction in tariff could not be done with retrospective effect.
Responding to concerns of MNAs over a recent incident in Nankana Sahib, he said Pakistan is a peaceful country and every Pakistan is a free citizen and the government is bound to protect life and property of citizens.
The world is appreciating Pakistan while pointing fingers at India for its fascist mindset where minorities are being mistreated, he added.
He said Indian-occupied Kashmir has been turned into a jail and communication links are cut off.
Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri said the Nankana Sahib incident occurred when people were protesting against the local administration over the arrest of some persons.
Some miscreants gave it a political color and India used the incident to unleash propaganda against Pakistan, he said adding India is mistreating the minorities particularly the Muslims.
He said Pakistan is a safe and peaceful country and 5,000 persons every month are allowed to visit Kartarpur Corridor without any visa or traveling documents.
Ayub said that Rs 300 million have been allocated for up-gradation of 132 kilowatt grid station and electrification of villages in Chitral. He was responding to a calling attention notice of MNAs Moulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali and Shahida Akhter Ali regarding delay in laying of electricity transmission lines to Union Councils Broze and Ayon and villages Kesu, Arsun, Ashreit and Arndu despite release of funds.
The minister told the House that Rs 150 million would be spent on up-gradation of grid station and Rs 150 million on laying of transmission lines and electrification.
The Finance Ministry would soon release the allocated funds, he added.
MNA Abdul Akbar Chitrali said the present power station in Chitral is inadequate to meet the power needs of the local population.
Ayub said the up-gradation of power station would be carried out as the existing infrastructure is obsolete, adding a plan is under consideration to get hydel electricity from Tajikistan for supply to areas of Chitral and Gilgit.
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