The federal government refused to further bailout the steel mills, opting instead to privatise it. PHOTO: FILE
Members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), while opposing the federal government’s privatisation policy, have demanded to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) to settle disputes between provinces and the federal government on various issues.
“Since the incumbent government has come to power, not a single CCI meeting has been held. This is a violation of the rules,” said PPP senator Raza Rabbani. He said the privatisation of various public companies, distribution of natural resources and quota system in government jobs are issues that require the CCI’s consent.
The senator said the federal government, especially the prime minister, is “intentionally” avoiding the meeting. “If the federal government fails to summon the meeting our party, using its constitutional right, will ask the Sindh chief minister to submit a request for it.”
Responding to a question, Raza, who was flanked by Rashid Rabbani and Waqar Mehdi, acknowledged that the privatisation policy was initiated by the PPP government.
“[But] we have been opposing the policy as soon as we realised that selling our national assets is not in the interest of the public,” he said, adding that they would defend labour rights at every platform.
Raza, who also happens to be additional secretary general of the party, criticised the current government for not announcing a bailout package for the steel mill. “The federal government can allocate Rs100 billion for the laptop scheme, but it is avoiding giving Rs25 billion to the steel mill which is facing severe financial crises.”
When reminded that the PPP government also failed to announce any bailout package for the mill, he said, “It was our government’s mistake. The incumbent government should not repeat it.”
The PPP leaders accused the federal government of trying to rollback the 18th Amendment under which provincial autonomy has been given to provinces.
“Many ministries have been devolved to provincial governments but federal government is not willing to handover their allied departments. Similarly, the health and education departments have not yet completely been given to the province. This is a violation of the constitution.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2014.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Where were these hawks when in their own rule Steel mills was being deprived of revenues and was asked to sell its produce at throwaway prices and even that was not being paid. PIA has been made a butt of all jokes. These people have put every corrupt person in charge and yet talk about worker welfare. Worker's welfare is not in eating the institution but in keeping it healthy.