PHOTO:EXPRESS/FILE
Though the resolution, moved by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Dr Seema Zia was passed unanimously, it created a stir in the house as the Pakistan Peoples Party and PTI members confronted each other over the former's remarks against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In her speech, Dr Zia said that around 20 people, including children, lost their lives in the recent rains in Karachi. "The power utility company should be held responsible for this tragedy and pay Rs5 million to each family that lost their loved one," she said.
During the debate on the resolution, most members from the treasury and opposition benches demanded that the federal government take action against the K-Electric and nationalise the power utility, which according to them, had failed to deliver.
"No one is willing to speak about the power utility. Even after the deaths of 20 people, our prime minister is mum on this issue," said Mufti Qasim of Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan, requesting to amend the resolution and increase the compensation amount from Rs5 million to Rs50 million for each family.
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal's Syed Abdul Rashid was of the view that around 42 people have lost their lives in the last three months and 17 people have suffered crippling injuries. He also endorsed Qasim's request to amend the resolution and enhance the compensation amount.
"The K-Electric management is a big mafia and all government departments, including the NAB, are unwilling to move against it," he remarked. "I demand the federal and provincial governments to reach an agreement and take back the K- Electric into the government's custody," he said.
Dr Sohrab Sarki of the PPP, however, suggested to fix Rs10 million as compensation. "We should talk to the federal government and implement this resolution," he said.
The party's Imdad Pitafi, while speaking in support of the resolution, lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan for 'taking U-Turns'.
"I want to know about the progress on the 10 million government jobs and 50,000 houses promised by the PTI government," he said.
"He [PM Khan] has done nothing but sold Kashmir. I don't know when we will be able to get rid of him," he added.
Pitafi's remarks caused uproar in the house. Amid the chaos, the speaker put the resolution to vote. The resolution was passed without any amendments, demanding the K-Electric to pay Rs5 million to the family of each victim. Later, the speaker adjourned the session till today (Wednesday).
The resolution, adopted by the house reads: "This house demands that the K-Electric pay cash compensation of Rs5 million per victim. The time has come for K-Electric to show remorse, admit guilt and do the right thing by giving proper compensation. The house urges NEPRA to facilitate the families of the victims in receiving compensation from K- Electric."
Q&A session
Earlier, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, the minister for excise and taxation and parliamentary affairs, answered questions relating to the planning and development department.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2019.
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