Combined opposition in the Senate on Monday 'strongly condemned' the increase in the prices of petroleum products and demanded its immediate withdrawal. State Minister for Finance, Omar Ayub tried to defend the government, but his arguments were not enough to cool down the opposition tempers. The House will hold a two-hour debate in the current session on the matter.
Leader of the Opposition Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, on a point of order, flayed the government for further burdening the middle, lower middle and the working class. "There has been Rs. 5.50 increase in POL prices, Rs 2.80 in diesel and Rs. 3 in kerosene oil in the last 45 days," he pointed out.
He criticised the deregulation policy, which envisages cartelisation of the oil companies to earn more and more profit, through increases after every fortnight.
To further add to their economic woes, Senator Rabbani said that 8.25 percent increase had been announced in gas price.
A rumpus erupted in the House when Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Dr Sher Afgan tried to silence the leader of opposition, contending it was not a point of order. However, the chair tried to silence him, saying it was already agreed at his chamber.
Senator Asfandyar Wali of Awami National Party wanted to know as to who was conducting the House business, "the chairman or the minister?"
"The united opposition strongly condemns these increases and demands their immediate withdrawal. Likewise, CNG prices must also be kept on their earlier rates," Senator Rabbani said.
He termed the economic policies of the government as ' big business-friendly', which had grossly eroded the purchasing power of the common man.
MMA Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed revealed that since 1999, there had been 130 percent increase in the prices of petroleum products and said in 1999, petrol was available at Rs 19 and now at Rs 42.50.
He called for rationalisation of the policy, keeping in view the masses' interests.
Earlier, Senator Ayaz Mandokhel of the treasury benches hit out at the cabinet ministers, alleging some of them were following double-standard: they on one hand, talked about the Balochistan rights while on the other, received 'bhatta' (gratification) from contractors. 'They are like double-edged sword'.
In this connection, when pressed by the opposition, he singled out Mir Naseer Mengal, who is a state minister. However, surprisingly, the minister did not rise to defend himself.
"Even if animals are imported, certain things are kept in mind, then why such elements were inducted in the cabinet," Mandokhel maintained.
The senator, who rarely speaks, was critical of the nationalists' senators for their inflexible attitude and said that they should appreciate the development projects.
The proceedings turned noisy again, when he challenged the Baloch leaders to handover Gwadar Port to the Balochistan Pushtoons, if they were unhappy over it.
He questioned the rationale behind the Baloch sardars and nawabs, selling land around Gwadar, instead of retaining it, if they had reservations over the development of Balochistan.
Senator Sanaullah Baloch, who was keen to respond to Mandokhel, revealed that out of 28 sardars, 24 were with the government while the rest with Baloch people.
The opposition senator charged that Rs 4.50 billion had been thrown down the drain on promotional ads on Gwadar housing schemes, particularly Golden Palm Housing Scheme.
He cautioned the government to take stock of the prevailing situation in the province; otherwise, Gwadar would be turned into a graveyard.
About the recent spate of killings and assassination, Senator Baloch said that according to a study, Pakistan was the most dangerous place, where VVIPs were being subjected to target killing.
He made mention of the killing of Munnawar Soharwardi, Sindh MPA Abdullah Murad, Mufti Shamzai, Syed Ziauddin Rizvi and others, lamenting innocent people were gunned down and their killers never traced.
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