Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif on Friday demanded that a parliamentary committee should be constituted to investigate the contract awarded for the construction of Mohmand Dam. Speaking on the floor of the Lower House, he urged Speaker Asad Qaisar to give a ruling on the issue of award of the contract for construction of the dam.
"I don't have any personal grudge against Prime Minister's Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood," he said, adding that the issue is that the government has awarded the contract on a single bid. The bid for the construction of the Rs 309 billion dam was awarded to a joint venture between China's Gezhouba and Descon Engineering that is owned by PM's Adviser on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood.
Sharif said that as per Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, if there is only one bidder then the bidding should be conducted again or should be checked with the market if the offer is appropriate. He urged the Speaker to constitute a parliamentary committee to look into the issue. "Nation's borrowed money is being spent blindly. The nation has a right to know where their money is being spent," he said, adding that a report on the matter must also be presented and discussed in the Lower House.
The House adopted a motion authorising the speaker to constitute a committee of parliamentary leaders to regulate the conduct of members. The motion to this effect was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan. The House also passed a resolution demanding that all the drought-stricken districts of Balochistan be declared as calamity-affected areas. The resolution was moved by the minister of state for parliamentary affairs. It said that the people of 18 districts in Balochistan are facing great difficulty due to drought. Some people have also lost their lives as a result of situation prevailing in these districts.
The minister said that a national consultative workshop is being organised for the assistance of drought-hit areas of Balochistan and Sindh. He said that international donors will also be invited to attend the workshop. He said that the National Disaster Management Authority and provincial and district authorities are working to provide relief to the calamity-hit people.
Responding to a calling attention notice regarding the grievances of farmers, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Shandana Gulzar Khan said the federal government is holding negotiations with Punjab government to provide relief to potato farmers. She said that there has been a surplus production of potato this year and steps will be taken to protect the interests of farmers. The parliamentary secretary informed the House that fruits' exports rose by 22.8 and vegetables' by 47.9 percent last year.