Riyadh-Tehran tensions: PTI urges govt to brief NA on policy
Party warns of far-reaching consequences on the region
PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Raising the spectre of far-reaching consequences on the region, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on Monday urged the government to brief the lower house of parliament about the escalating tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.
“Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs should brief and take the National Assembly into confidence about the latest situation,” PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said while addressing the media following a meeting of opposition parties at Parliament House.
On Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir had announced that the kingdom was severing diplomatic ties with Iran after demonstrators stormed its embassy in Tehran to protest against execution of a Shia cleric.
“The Advisor to PM should brief lawmakers about Islamabad’s position on the latest crisis. “We, the government and opposition, would have to express unity over this issue,” the PTI leader said.
Referring to Pakistan’s ties with both countries, Qureshi said the government should spell out its policy statement in this regard without wasting time.
Tax amnesty scheme
In a bid to rally support against the government’s proposed tax amnesty scheme, Qureshi also met the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah. During the meeting, the two leaders decided to oppose the scheme introduced by the government last week.
On the other hand, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who returned to the lower house after a long hiatus to witness the oath taking ceremony of his close aide Jhangir Khan Tareen, opposed the bill the moment it was introduced by the government.
CPEC contracts
Raising his concerns about the irregularities in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, PTI lawmaker Dr Arif Alvi sent two letters to Chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC) highlighting violations in the bidding process.
In his letter, Alvi alleged that handpicked individuals were awarded contract in two projects related to CPEC in Balochistan while ignoring the lowest bidder, causing financial loss to the tune of Rs650 million to the exchequer.
“In the contract for N-50 Package-I, a 41km road from Zhob to KilliKhudae Nazar will be reconstructed by Limak-ZKB JV at a cost of Rs4.8 billion while the lowest bidder was MaqboolZarghon JV whose bid was rejected. Similarly, for N-70 the road under Package-I will be constructed from Qilla Saifullah to Loralai by the firm Umar Jan at a cost of Rs4.50 billion. Here too the lowest bidder was Maqbool Zarghon JV whose bid was rejected,” said the letter.
In his second letter, Alvi highlighted violation of rules by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in payment of Rs480 billion circular debt in 2013.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2016.
Raising the spectre of far-reaching consequences on the region, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on Monday urged the government to brief the lower house of parliament about the escalating tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.
“Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs should brief and take the National Assembly into confidence about the latest situation,” PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said while addressing the media following a meeting of opposition parties at Parliament House.
On Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir had announced that the kingdom was severing diplomatic ties with Iran after demonstrators stormed its embassy in Tehran to protest against execution of a Shia cleric.
“The Advisor to PM should brief lawmakers about Islamabad’s position on the latest crisis. “We, the government and opposition, would have to express unity over this issue,” the PTI leader said.
Referring to Pakistan’s ties with both countries, Qureshi said the government should spell out its policy statement in this regard without wasting time.
Tax amnesty scheme
In a bid to rally support against the government’s proposed tax amnesty scheme, Qureshi also met the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah. During the meeting, the two leaders decided to oppose the scheme introduced by the government last week.
On the other hand, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who returned to the lower house after a long hiatus to witness the oath taking ceremony of his close aide Jhangir Khan Tareen, opposed the bill the moment it was introduced by the government.
CPEC contracts
Raising his concerns about the irregularities in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, PTI lawmaker Dr Arif Alvi sent two letters to Chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC) highlighting violations in the bidding process.
In his letter, Alvi alleged that handpicked individuals were awarded contract in two projects related to CPEC in Balochistan while ignoring the lowest bidder, causing financial loss to the tune of Rs650 million to the exchequer.
“In the contract for N-50 Package-I, a 41km road from Zhob to KilliKhudae Nazar will be reconstructed by Limak-ZKB JV at a cost of Rs4.8 billion while the lowest bidder was MaqboolZarghon JV whose bid was rejected. Similarly, for N-70 the road under Package-I will be constructed from Qilla Saifullah to Loralai by the firm Umar Jan at a cost of Rs4.50 billion. Here too the lowest bidder was Maqbool Zarghon JV whose bid was rejected,” said the letter.
In his second letter, Alvi highlighted violation of rules by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in payment of Rs480 billion circular debt in 2013.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2016.