Increase in security fee of meters irks senators

Senators on Friday demanded an explanation from the authorities concerned regarding a whopping increase in the security fee of electricity meters from Rs1,100 to Rs22,000 and condemned the letter written by the PTI founder to the IMF, likening it to inviting foreign organisations to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.

They also raised the issue of the plight of Balochistan where rains have wreaked havoc with Gwadar, the port city of the province, completely submerged.
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During a meeting of the Senate, chaired by Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha termed the increase in the security fee of electricity meters from Rs1,100 to Rs22,000 “very cruel”.

Agha demanded of the authorities concerned to give an explanation that with whose permission they increased the fee, saying that these were the meters that were purchased by the consumer himself/herself.

Meanwhile, Senator Sadia Abbasi condemned writing a letter to the international lender “to interfere in our internal affairs”.
She said, “The IMF always talks to governments. This is not a research institute, this initiative is related to the integrity of Pakistan.”

Sadia said, “Calling other countries and institutions to interfere in internal affairs is a very wrong move. This is a new tradition being introduced … the work of the country should be done within the country.”

Senator Sadia also raised the issue of shortage of passports, saying that for the first time, there was a shortage of passports in the country.

“It is like deliberately insulting the people,” she said, adding that the people were asked to apply on Fast Track.

She demanded calling the director general passport and seeking an answer from him.

Addressing the meeting, Senator Kamran Murtaza said that the situation in Balochistan was worse due to the rains while the higher-ups were involved in manipulation.

“The provincial nor the federal government were paying attention to Balochistan,” he said, demanding that the people's problems should be solved.

“Attention should be paid to Balochistan.”

Senator Tahir Bizenjo said that heavy rains had occurred in Balochistan due to which Gwadar was completely submerged.
Like the Election Commission, Bizenjo said, the situation of PDMA and NDMA was also bad, accusing them of stealing the money that would come for the relief of the people.

He demanded that the aid that comes should go to the deserving people.

PTI Senator Aoun Abbas Bipi said that as the farewell session of the Senate was going on, production orders of Senator Ejaz Chaudhry should have been issued.

“Many PTI women are in jails, no one talks about them,” he said. “Our Senator Shibli Faraz has not come to this house for several months. No one asked why they are not coming or where they are.”

Senator Bahramand Tangi asked about NADRA and WAPDA that domestic institutions had more employees and less revenue.

“Institutions are running in losses. How long will we continue like this?”

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the ministry did not give any response.

The deputy chairman said, “Solangi Sahib, you have not given any answer today, but still thank you for your visit.”

Senator Dinesh Kumar raised the issue of shortage of medicine at the National Institute for Rehabilitation of Handicapped.

“The institution does not have medicine for the poor. What a joke! Whenever it comes to the poor, it becomes a joke,” Kumar said, adding that there was a shortage of medicines at hospitals in Islamabad.

He asked what the bureaucracy and the Ministry of Health were doing.

Senator Murtaza said that the prices of life-saving medicines had been increased.

“It is now being said that the incoming minister will give an answer, he will say, ask the caretakers.”

The proceedings of the meeting were adjourned till 3pm on Monday.