ISLAMABAD:
Lawmakers on Friday raised concerns over unannounced electricity and gas cut-offs across the country as procedural disputes and protests delayed Upper House proceedings.
The Senate session was convened under the chairmanship of Shahadat Awan.
Senator Manzoor Kakar slammed the government over persistent power and gas cuts and claimed that though adequate electricity and gas supplies were available, the government still failed to provide relief to the masses.
He blamed the crisis on rampant electricity theft and lamented that the cost of these losses was passed on to the public. “The gas comes from Balochistan, but the people of the province do not receive it. Traveling from Balochistan to Karachi or Islamabad costs Rs. 70-80 thousand in fares, which common people cannot afford.”
Likewise, Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro lamented that people of Sindh also faced similar problems of gas emission in winter, adding that it affected the industry the most.
“Both Sindh and Balochistan produce gas but public facilities in both provinces are negligible. PPL is moving its head office from Karachi to Islamabad. Why are offices being moved from the gas producing regions?”
“Public issues are the responsibility of both the government and the opposition. The purpose of raising these issues is not to criticize but to highlight issues,” he stressed.
During the session, procedural disturbances occurred as opposition members questioned the quorum. Amid the uproar, Bilal Badar Chaudhry took his oath as a member of the Senate, triggering slogans from the gallery in support of Nawaz Sharif, who was later detained by Nuzhat Sadiq.
Opposition members demanded the removal of those who caused the disturbance. Sahibzada Sibghatullah also pointed out the discrepancies in the quorum and called the swearing-in “illegal”.
Tensions escalated with sharp exchanges between Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and opposition members, forcing the House to suspend proceedings for 15 minutes.
Senator Masroor Ahsan expressed concern over nationwide electricity shortage and condemned nationwide unannounced load shedding. “A poor person missing a bill for a month gets their electricity cut off while government institutions owe nearly 1.75 trillion rupees. Over one trillion rupees is due from federal institutions.”
“During Ramazan, electricity and gas will also go off at iftar time. For God’s sake, give some relief to the people. Start with your own house. Has the government taken any action against federal institutions that owe electricity bills?”
Load shedding
In response to the concerns, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry that there was no discrimination against any province in the supply of electricity and gas and that load shedding was not done in any district throughout the country.
He explained that blackouts lasting between one and six hours were only carried out in districts where electricity theft and wire loss fall within the specified criteria.
