The dark ages: Discrimination is the talk of the House as lights go out

MPAs want federal power minister to be banned from Sindh.

KARACHI:

After protests against load-shedding in various parts of Sindh, the provincial assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the attitude of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).

The House blamed the department of discrimination against the province and asked for an end to load-shedding at the province's water pumping stations. The lawmakers demanded the establishment of a provincial water and power authority and added that all power utility companies working in Sindh should be put under its control.



The resolution, which was moved by senior minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, said that despite repeated demands and protests, the federal ministry of water and power has failed to take any action.

When the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers expressed their concerns over the performance of Wapda and criticsed the federal government, members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, decided to silently walk out rather than oppose the resolution.

Khuhro said that no city or town of the province was being spared of this menace and people had now taken to the roads; ransacking public property and setting vehicles on fire. "Why is the federal government and its ministers discriminating against this province?" he asked.

Khuhro was seconded by MQM's parliamentary leader Syed Sardar Ahmed who said that before the 1971, two power and water utilities were operational in the country; one for West Pakistan and the other for East Pakistan. "People are being given inflated and excessive bills," said Ahmed. "Wapda officials are promoting illegal connections and have become the country's white elephants."

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah then chimed in and said that he has written letters to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resolve the dispute between the provincial government and Wapda. "I will once again take up this issue with the prime minister at our next meeting," he said, adding that a committee had been formed to resolve the outstanding dues that the provincial government owes the utility but it has not helped the ongoing dispute. "They believe in the statement of meter readers that manipulate and send incorrect readings rather than believing what we tell them," he said.

He then suggested that those involved in cutting power connections should be arrested. "We have to protect the rights of our people," he said. "The provincial government guarantees the outstanding amount. If any consumer fails to pay their outstanding electricity bill, the provincial government will pay it but it will not let its people live without power."

However, despite the bold promise, Shah was quick to add that they will not be making any payment before verifying the dues once more.

PTI leader Samar Ali Khan then offered his support to the MQM and PPP leaders and said that his party supports the resolution.

Abid Sher Ali not welcome

PPP lawmakers asked the provincial government to ban the entry of state minister for water and power Abid Sher Ali in Sindh for his actions against the provincial departments and the people of Sindh. "Abid Sher Ali has ordered to cut the powers of all pumping stations, mosques, mazaars and temples," claimed PPP lawmakers. "Please ban his entry into Sindh."

Other lawmakers thumped their desks and endorsed the suggestion.

Opposition wants development funds released

Members of the opposition once again protested over the Sindh government’s ‘discriminatory’ approach of not releasing development funds to them.

Soon after the house adopted the resolution against the Water and Power Development Authority, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) MPA Shaharyar Mahar asked the chief minister why the Rs40 million development funds under the Tameer-e-Pakistan programme are not being released to opposition members. “All the MPAs on the treasury benches have received their funds and have even awarded tenders for their schemes but we are still waiting for them,” he complained. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2014.