The opposition lawmakers in the Senate on Monday opposed proposed shifting of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) headquarters from Karachi to Islamabad, saying they would resist the move tooth and nail. Through a resolution moved by Senator Sherry Rehman of PPP, signed by 41 senators belonging to all opposition parties in the Senate, which was adopted with majority vote, they said that any such attempt will be a step towards weakening the federation.
However, Minister for Aviation Division Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that no decision has yet been taken, but he did say the 80 percent air traffic is from the north i.e. Lahore and Peshawar, due to which the proposal to shift PIA headquarters to capital is under consideration.
"Whatever decision we will take in this regard, there will be no politics involved as it will be in the interest of the country. Transfer of 70 [PIA] officers out of total 12,000 to Islamabad is not a big deal," he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Sherry Rehman put forward three questions which, according to her, need urgent clarity from the government, "First, if the government is not shifting PIA headquarters to Islamabad, then why is it opposing the resolution? Second, we heard that it was decided to shift the headquarters to Islamabad because their representatives have to attend Senate and parliamentary committee meetings. Has this not always been the case? Third, why is this entire process being kept so secretive? It is unfortunate that we are forced to ask this question," she questioned.
She said that there's a general view that the government is trying to centralise every service and authority, adding legally, the government's move goes against the PIA (Conversion) Act, 2016 (PIACC), Clause 7 (2) which clearly states that PIA's headquarters (as well as that of its subsidiary companies carrying on air-transport business) should be in Karachi.
Senator Raza Rabbani said that the minister has already given justification that more commercial activity is being generated from the north which is Peshawar and Lahore, so the headquarters should come here. He said that some eight officers of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) belonging to Peshawar and Ralwapindi are running the PIA, adding shifting the PIA HQ from Karachi to capital is not acceptable.
"Human Resource department of PIA has been shifted to Islamabad. Eighty-five crew members have been transferred to Islamabad overnight, who are facing issues of accommodation and others here and the way PIA is being run, will not be allowed," he added.
Senator Mushahiduallah Khan of PML-N said that PIA HQ could not be shifted as its engineering department is there, while Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is also headquartered there.
Nauman Wazir Khattak of PTI said that the HQ should be shifted after thorough analysis, as more commercial activity from the north is just one of factors, adding political appointments have ruined the institution.
Shibli Faraz said that the move to shift the PIA HQ to Islamabad is just to do thing on merit.
The government with the help of other opposition rejected a resolution, moved by Atique Sheikh of MQM-P, to allocate a special quota for students of Islamabad in public sector medical and other institutions.
The lawmakers belonging to both opposition and treasury opposed the resolution after the state minister for parliamentary affairs categorically rejected the resolution, saying the capital has better schools and there is no need of quota at all.
The House passed a motion authorising the chairman to appoint a parliamentary committee to protect minorities from forced conversion in consultation with speaker National Assembly, comprising 22 members in proportion to their representation in the Senate and National Assembly.
About attack on Pearl Continental Hotel, Gwadar, Senator Kulsum Perveen of PML-N said, "If PC Hotel is not safe what else can we expect, and who will go to Gwadar if this remains the situation of security there."
"We made hectic efforts to bring CPEC into the country, but now you have to take a decision: probe into terror attacks in Balochistan especially in Gwadar, as we must track down who is behind all this," she added.
Senator Javed Abbasi said that terror activities have started again, and the way terrorists are striking the targets of their choice shows it is quite alarming. The foreign minister should inform the House as what is going on, he added.
Sherry Rehman said that Gwadar which is called jewel and crown of CEPC, and the way PC Hotel remained hijacked the whole night, is failure of the government as it has neither convened National Security Committee meeting nor is taking parliament into confidence.
The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that the Prime Minister's Scholarship Programme for the students of Balochistan be extended for five more years.
Leader of the House Syed Shibli Faraz said that it is an important programme and the Prime Minister is planning to continue it.
Shibli Faraz introduced the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which was referred to the House standing committee concerned.
He explained that the proposed piece of legislation envisaged qualification in the relevant field for chairmen and members of regulatory bodies, like Nepra and also lowered the age for the slot of chairman from over 60 years of age.
He said that the age limit is being lowered in view of a limited market of required experts. Joint opposition chose not to oppose the government bill.
The House also passed the Pakistan Courier and Logistics Regulatory Authority Bill, 2018. It was moved by Senator Khushbakht Shujaat of MQM-P several weeks back and approved after detailed discussion among the committee members.
The House was prorogued sine die.