ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges exposed serious governance failures across multiple federal bodies — from missing land records and dubious property transfers at the CDA, to PTA’s limited enforcement powers, to FBR’s struggle against smuggling networks—while also flagging concerns over misuse of official affiliations and deteriorating security situation in Quetta.
The committee, chaired by Senator Waqar Mehdi, took up the case of a missing CDA file relating to a house in I-10/4. Mehdi censured the authority for what he called “careless” handling of records and directed that the pending court case be fast-tracked.
CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa said the authority was digitising land records and would comply with court decisions, adding that corruption-related cases had been referred to the FIA.
Senators questioned CDA over a plot that had been transferred five times from within its own offices. Officials were unable to provide a clear explanation. The committee was informed that farmhouses involved in related inquiries were valued at around Rs 1.5bn each.
On the PTA’s compliance report, the authority said an objectionable portion of a video targeting the Sindhi community had already been removed by the uploader, leaving no grounds for channel-level blocking under PECA. PTA said it had identified 23 URLs carrying the material, blocking 12 and forwarding others to platforms for action. It reiterated that investigation and prosecution under PECA lay outside its mandate.
Reviewing postings of Customs officers in Balochistan, the FBR said transfers were ordered on intelligence reports indicating officials’ involvement in facilitating smuggling. The department said transfer was the most effective tool available in the absence of documentary evidence required for disciplinary action.
The committee also examined complaints against former Planning Commission deputy chairman Dr Nadeem ul Haque, who continues to publish articles invoking past government positions despite a harassment penalty against him. Members termed his conduct “misleading” and called on the media outlets to refrain from carrying such material.
The panel received a progress report on the kidnapping and murder of Musavir Khan Kakar, reportedly linked to a Rs 700 million ransom demand from a jewellery trader. The child’s body was recovered from an isolated area.
Senator Mehdi voiced concern over rising insecurity in Quetta and said the committee would visit the city for detailed briefings. He reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to transparency and directed all institutions to furnish complete records.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025