Participants of meeting irked by absence of air-conditioning

There was panic in the Prime Minister's Secretariat on April 6, 2012 when Finance Minister, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh reportedly expressed his displeasure over the absence of air-conditioning in the Cabinet room where he was scheduled to chair a meeting of the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, well-informed sources in Industries Ministry told Business Recorder.
When the Finance Minister, who is the chairman of the ECC, inquired why the air-conditioning system installed in the Cabinet room was not functioning, he was informed that the system was being run by a contractor who, due to non-payment of his three years' bills, stopped operating the air condition system, the sources added. It was further revealed that the matter was brought to the notice of Finance Division which did not release the required funds. Secretary Finance Wajid Rana apprised the meeting that the case initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Works had been cleared and funds stood released.
According to sources, the Finance Minister summoned Secretary Housing and Works to explain the position. "As Secretary Housing and Works was on an official tour abroad, therefore, Joint Secretary, Housing and Works appeared before the ECC and stated that in the next couple of days, the air conditioning system will be restored," the sources maintained. Chairman ECC nevertheless expressed his annoyance and observed that the country the concerned authorities should have taken necessary measures to ensure functioning of air-conditioning system.