Rabbani defers ruling on MQM resignations

Promises to present final verdict in the first week of October

ISLAMABAD:

Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani deferred his ruling on the status of MQM resignations during Friday’s proceedings of the upper house.

Sen Rabbani said that he was still in the process of jotting down the points of the ruling. However, he promised to present the final verdict on the first day of the next Senate session – which is expected to take place in the first week of October.

An adjournment motion regarding disconnection of gas to the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) was discussed by lawmakers in the house.

Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan remarked that institutions such as the Steel Mills are synonymous with the national development of any state.

He attributed the “poor condition of the PSM” to the personal interests of the PM and his family. Since the PM and his family are involved in the steel and iron business, he claimed the PSM was a conflict of interest for them. Why else, he questioned, would the industry be at a loss?

State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal pointed out that no government would be interested in selling its assets. But the PSM has to pay SSGC an amount of Rs35 billion. In turn, he added, SSGC had to pay the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited. Both institutions are likely to be affected if PSM did not pay up.

Furthermore, the house passed a motion on the time period for the presentation of a report related to Petroleum and Natural Resources to 30 days.

Moreover, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali presented a periodical report on a matter regarding non-implementation of the decision related to Quetta Electric Supply Company. This matter referred by the House was a decision made by the chief minister and Zamindar Action Committee. Through this decision the Quetta Electric Supply Company is bound to provide electricity to agriculturists for eight hours at Rs10, 000 per month.


Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2015.