The opposition in the Senate on Monday attacked the government for denying the benefit of 27 percent fall in petroleum prices to the masses despite a commitment made in the Parliament several times.
The government also came under fire for what the opposition dubbed as growing incidents of political activists being whisked away by agencies, and denying them access to justice.
Kamran Murtaza, Dr Abdul Malik and Liaquat Ali Bangalzai charged that people of a particular nomenclature were being hounded and kidnapped. They also referred to the disappearance of a brother of Senator Sanaullah Baloch.
"This is not Ranjit Singh era. This can't be done," said Senate Deputy Chairman Jan M Jamali, when Rehmatullah Kakar spoke on denial of 'Azaan' and prayer during British Prime Minister Tony Blair's visit to Faisal Masjid.
He wondered even in his (Blair's) own country, there is no such restriction, and sought an explanation from the government.
Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao assured the House to present the official position on the issue.
Earlier, the opposition said that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, whom oil firms were dictating, had recently recommended a 10-14 percent downward adjustment in petroleum products prices, but that was ignored.
They said that no action was taken even on a detailed report submitted by National Accountability Bureau on overcharging by these companies. They wanted to know if the prices were not to be reduced, why the Prime Minister and Petroleum Minister had told the Parliament that POL rates were linked to international market, and would be adjusted accordingly.
They said that prices had been increased fortnightly, when these had gone up in the world market, but people were deprived of any relief when these started coming down. The government contended that since the issue had been taken up by the Supreme Court and was also not of urgent nature, it could not be debated in the House. The Deputy Chairman overruled the motion. Hence, the government managed to skip a debate on the burning issue that had been raised on the floor of National Assembly and Senate so many times.
Opposition Leader Raza Rabbani's presence might have made the difference, compelling the government to entertain the adjournment motion, moved by Zuberi. Rukhsana, Khurshid Ahmed and Lateef Khosa pointed out that the House standing committee's subcommittee had found out that oil firms and refineries were overcharging exorbitantly.
They fiercely criticised the government for denying relief to the financially-squeezed consumers, saying that high POL prices had been affecting not only agriculture, transport, but also all other sectors. On their demand, the price fixation job was handed over to Ogra with a long delay, but its recommendations were being overlooked, opposition senators said.
They disputed Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sher Afgan's contention that since the matter had been taken up by the apex court, it could not be discussed, saying that to resolve such issues of the common man was the government's responsibility.
"It appears that the government has totally failed to discharge its responsibilities vis-à-vis the public. This House has the right to debate the matter, making sure no prejudiced view or opinion is derived out of it," senators said.
Khosa recalled that a mere four paisa increase per litre had jolted Ayub Khan's government; whereas, here the rulers were massively overcharging despite fall in POL rates in the international market. He said that the government was not ready to let this House discuss an issue which was forcing people to commit suicide.