Senate discusses electricity, gas prices and foreign policy
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The Senate on Thursday resumed discussion on the agenda items including loans from foreign countries, increase in the prices of electricity and gas and the country’s foreign policy in the context of Yemen issue.
Taking part in the discussion, Senator Javed Abbasi appreciated the Senate Chairman and the staff of the Senate Secretariat for holding a successful conference of Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Gawadar. He said the event projected soft image of Balochistan and Pakistan in the world.
Criticizing the government for increase in the rates of gas and electricity and adding burden of taxes on common people, he urged the government to withdraw this increase.
He said the parliament should be informed about the conditions on which a financial package was secured from Saudi Arabia.
Senator Azam Musa Khel said the government should take parliament into confidence about the agreements with various countries for getting loans. He said the join parliament’s resolution on the Yemen issue should be honored.
He said Balochistan is not being given due share under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Speaking in the Upper House, Senator Aurangzeb Khan called upon the government to implement its plans of reconstruction and rehabilitation in the erstwhile FATA areas.
He said education and health should be focused for development in the area. He said Khasadar and Levies forces should be strengthened in the areas instead of introducing police force.
Usman Khan Kakar said foreign policy should be revisited and national interests should be secured in it. He said various areas of Balochistan have been facing prolonged power outages, which should be controlled.
He also criticized the government for the price-hike.
Senator Hasil Khan Bizenjo said the government had promised that parliament will taken into confidence before signing any big agreement with a foreign country, but the promise had not been fulfilled in respect of the recent agreements with Saudi Arabia and China.
Speaking on a point of public importance, Senator Muhammad Ali Saif, who recently visited Siachen, said that Pakistan Army troops have been defending the boundaries of Pakistan in Siachen in a very hard weather condition.
He said the incentives for the troops deployed at Siachen should be increased.
