Resolution of railways route: Senate body decides to convene meeting of all stakeholders

Senate Standing Committee on Government Assurances has decided to convene a meeting of all relevant stakeholders on resolution of railways route from Sibbi to Harnai to Shahrang to Khost section, and has directed Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to ensure his presence in the meeting.

A meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Government Assurances took place here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Senator Tahir Bizenjo. The meeting considered two agenda items - briefing by the Ministry of Law and Justice on the present status of the quota and assurances given by the Establishment Division and briefing by the Ministry of Railways on the restoration of the Sibbi to Harnai to Shahrag to Khost section.

While discussing the current status regarding the Constitutional amendment in Parliament for employment quota, the Ministry of Law and Justice informed that there was a settlement with regard to modalities for implementation of the quota between Law and Justice and the Establishment Division.

The committee was further informed that all modalities had been finalised last week and now minutes were to be signed after the return of minister of law and justice from abroad.

Subsequently, a summary will be moved by the Establishment Division for consideration by the Cabinet Division. This process would take two weeks; after which the bill will be placed before the Parliament, unless the cabinet decides to place the matter before the Supreme Court for its advisory opinion in the light of Federal Shariat Court decision that quota system is against Sharia.

Senator Tahir Bizenjo expressed confidence that if the bill was placed before the Parliament it would be passed, most certainly, by a two-third majority.

The committee also considered the matter regarding the restoration of the Sibbi to Harnai to Shahrag to Khost section.

The committee was informed by the officials of the Ministry of Railways that 95 percent of the work had been completed. However, the five percent that remains pending was due to security issues that the contractors and workers faced.

The meeting was informed that this is especially in context Kochali and Dalu Jhal where work on a 10km track remains. The Government of Balochistan has been consulted on this matter on numerous occasions.

The committee directed that the chief secretary and the home secretary Balochistan should be asked to appear in the next meeting along with senior officers' of the National Logistics Cell, and others institutes.

The meeting was attended by Senator Taj Roghani, Senator Abida Azeem, Senator Sajid Mir, Senator Usman Kakar and senior officers from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Railways, and others.