A National Assembly panel on Thursday expressed serious concern over alleged large-scale theft at Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), summoning key officials. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production, chaired by Syed Hafeezuddin, received a report from the sub-committee on PSM, presented by committee member Naz Baloch. She painted a worrying picture of the situation at the once flagship industrial unit.
"We went to Steel Mills hospital and it felt like a scene from a movie," Naz Baloch told the committee. "Everything was arranged for one day and then everything disappeared." She claimed that large-scale theft was currently taking place at the Steel Mills and revealed that six months ago the device had been presented to Russia for possible sale.
"Six months ago Steel Mills was presented for sale to Russia and now six months later there is nothing left there," she claimed. USC Payments The committee also expressed anger over the non-payment of dues to retrenched employees of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).
"What happened was wrong. You close a running device," Syed Naveed Qamar said during the meeting. He added, "You said we would pay them. From that day until today, they have not received their payments. Why this indifference?"
The Minister of Industry and Production replied that the workers’ union had entered into legal proceedings against the government to seek an increase in compensation.
"They wanted the compensation package to be increased. CBA said this package is not acceptable," he explained, adding that the payments had now begun. The committee directed that all clear cases of outstanding payments to employees of the supply stores must be settled before Eid. "For those whose matters are clear, arrange for payment before Eid," Qamar directed. In an emotional appeal, he added, "You want to celebrate Eid with your kids… do you care about theirs?"
