Opposition perturbed over frequent power crisis

The opposition in the National Assembly on Saturday criticised the government over frequent power breakdowns in major cities, particularly Karachi.
Taking part in the debate on budget 2007-08 in the lower house with a thin attendance the opposition legislators widely criticised the federal budget for not protecting the poor from what they termed 'unprecedented inflation, unemployment and poverty'. Some members also pointed out that the budget is unconstitutional in the sense that it was formulated without the NFC Award, which they said is a sheer violation of the Constitution.
Tehran Aware Raja, MNA of the Pakistan People Party said that on one hand, the government claims to have broken the "Kashkol" (begging bowl), and on the other, it is taking foreign loans, which would have to be paid by the next generations.
People are frustrated by unprecedented poverty, inflation and unemployment for which the government did nothing in the new budget, she blamed.
She recommended forming a price control committee, comprising parliamentarians, government officials and representatives of civil society to check the hoarders and sellers of goods higher than the fixed prices. Maulana Miraj-ud-Din of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal said that like the previous ones, this budget also brought hardships for the masses instead of any relief.
According to a United Nations report, he said, over 78 percent of population of Federally Administered Tribal Areas are living below the poverty line. Like past, the present budget is also based on high interest rates, which is strictly prohibited by the Islamic law because it badly affects the life of poor segment of the society.
He recommended constructing dams in South Waziristan agency for storage of water. Zulfiqar Gondal of PPPP said that due to failure of the government for following any effective policy, the country is facing a worse situation in term of power shortage.
He alleged that since 1997, the government had not been able to establish even a single power generation plant, which is source of unprecedented load-shedding. Pervez Masih, representing the minorities said that the incumbent government had done nothing in protecting the rights of minorities.
He demanded of the government to include a chapter in the Pakistan Studies text books regarding the role of minorities in making and building Pakistan. Robina Saadat Qaimkhani of PPPP said that according to a public survey, a majority of the people has rejected the new budget.
Mufti Ibrar of MMA said that Centre was not co-operating with the MMA government in NWFP. He also alleged that some elements are involved in creating law and order situation in the province to defame the MMA government.
He further said that instead of creating controversy among the federating units in the name of Kalabagh dam, the government should explore alternate sources to meet the power shortage.
Nasim Chaudhry of the PPPP said that PML has failed make the wealth trickle down to the poor of the society for the last five years. She questioned that how 'Kashkool' was broken if foreign debt had increased from $33 to $38 billion in the last five years.
Dr Noor Jahan Panizai of the ruling league said that the budget is presented as per expectations of the poor for which she congratulated the government. She further proposed to give a substantial raise in the salaries and other incentives to the teachers to promote education in the country. Colonel Ghulam Rasool (Retd) of the PML (Q) termed the budget a 'balanced one' that cares for every segment of the society.
He announced that PML would support General Pervez Musharraf in both the situations-uniform and without uniform, for what he called "in the larger national interest". Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, Minister for SAFRON Division hailed the new budget, saying that it would visibly change lives of all and Sundry.
He particularly praised the present government for taking special interest in the development of Balochistan. Rehana Aleem Mashiddi of the PML also termed the budget people-friendly. Abdul Wasim of MQM expressed resentment over the frequent loadshedding in Karachi saying that the city has only 750 MW electricity against its requirement of 1200 MW.
He criticised the opposition for intentionally ignoring 29 suicide attacks that took place in NWFP while highlighting the May 12 mayhem in Karachi, targeting a single political party.
He claimed that MMA leaders Munawar Hassan has recently declared the suicide attacks as Islamic while speaking at a event in Sindh, adding it clearly indicates who is encouraging such terrorist act. Nawab Mirza Advocate of MQM, also in the same tone, criticised the extremists who are destabilising the country.