Govt panned for challenging BRT verdict in SC

Assembly passes mines safety, inspection and regulation bill

PESHAWAR: The government on Friday came under severe criticism from the opposition for challenging before the superior judiciary a directive by a high court to probe the controversial mass transit project being built in the city.

As the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly resumed on Friday morning, with K-P Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani in the chair, members of the opposition blamed the under-construction Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project as a major contributor to the transport mess in the provincial capital.

Leader of the Opposition in the Provincial Assembly Akram Khan Durrani maintained that the K-P government had wreaked havoc on the lives of Peshawar’s residents by attempting to build the BRT project.

Holding work on the project responsible for daily traffic jams in the city and decline in business activities along its route, Durrani said that billions have allegedly been embezzled in its construction.

Now, he added, the provincial government was utilising various tactics to hide its alleged corruption, as he referred to how the provincial government had moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan over a decision by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) earlier in the month, in which it had directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to probe allegations of corruption in the project and to affix responsibility.

“If there is no corruption in the BRT project, then why is the provincial government preventing the FIA from conducting an inquiry?” Durrani said, adding that the provincial government had challenged the PHC verdict in the apex court to obtain a stay on the probe apart from an injunction obtained from a court to prevent the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from investigating the project.

“Why are the relevant investigative organizations still silent?”

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Ahmad Kundi said that the traffic problem in Peshawar is worsening by the day due to poor planning and design of the bus project.

“The project has met with failure even before it has been completed,” he said.

He added that the provincial government’s spokesperson Shaukat Yousufzai had claimed the project benefitted from the rise in exchange rates. “Such a statement cannot come from the mouth of the provincial government, rather from a construction contractor,” he asserted before adding that the provincial information minister should keep his mouth shut if he did not know of the matter.

“The people of K-P have ended in a debt pile because of the mega project and a parliamentary committee should be formed to probe the matter,” he demanded.

Awami National Party (ANP) member Salahuddin Mohmand blamed the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for committing an injustice with the people of the province by building the project.

Mir Kalam Wazir, an independent from the newly-merged tribal districts (NMTDs) endorsed the stance adopted by other opposition members. He also criticised the absence of PTI lawmakers, including ministers, from the session.

The house also referred a privilege motion from an ANP lawmaker against the deputy commissioner of Lower Dir District to the Standing Committee on Privileges.

Mines bill passed

The house, though, unanimously passed the Mines Safety Inspection and Regulation Bill 2019. The bill had been tabled by K-P Law Minister Sultan Mohammad Khan.

According to the draft law, mine owners will be bound to take concrete steps for protecting mineworkers. In this regard, the government will appoint chief inspectors, inspectors and medical inspectors for inspection of mines.

These inspectors would investigate mishaps in mines and ascertain the causes and recommend measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. They will also be authorized to stop any work which affects the performance or health of mineworkers.

However, if any such official either has direct or indirect relations with mines or mine owners, they will be terminated.

Zakat committees

Members of the opposition also objected to the appointment of chairmen for district Zakat committees and demanded that these vacancies be filled as per the Zakat Council Act.

During the question-and-answer session, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) lawmaker from NMTD Sirajuddin asked about Zakat committees.

Law Minister Sultan replied that chairmen of such committees have been finalized and notifications for their appointment has also been issued. He added that the Zakat Council was responsible for selecting the provincial Zakat chairman while deputy commissioners nominate candidates for district zakat chairmen posts and the names are finalized after due consultations.

Now, sub-committees under these chairmen will be appointed.

However, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) lawmaker Munawar Khan, Kundi and others demanded that parliamentary members should be consulted before the chairmen are appointed.

Tribute for Benazir

The assembly also paid tribute to slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto to mark her 12th death anniversary. Members from both the treasury and the opposition benches lauded the services rendered by the former PPP leader. They added that her assassination was not only a tragedy for the Bhutto family but the entire country.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2019.