A joint sitting of the parliament on Monday passed a Gas-Theft Control and Recovery Bill 2014 with majority, strengthening the law aimed at checking gas theft and pilferage, as well as expediting the recovery process of gas dues. Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi moved the bill in the joint sitting of the parliament for the consideration and passage.
It may be pertinent to mention here that the Senate passed this bill in December 2014 but it was not passed by the National Assembly in 90 days as required by the law. Therefore, it was moved in the joint sitting to be passed. As the bill was moved, MQM member S. A. Iqbal Qadri said that his party has not received the bill for perusal; therefore at least a day should be given to the opposition members to study it.
He also cited some rules to get at least a day from the government for scrutiny of the bill as he wanted to introduce some amendments in it too. PPP Senator Babar Awan also supported the Qadri's viewpoint and cited some rules as well that opposition members should be given time to study the bill, but the government pushed the bill ahead for approval from the parliament. After clause-by-clause reading of the bill, it was passed with majority vote.
The bill says it is expedient to prosecute cases of gas theft and other offences relating to gas and to provide for a procedure for a speedy trail, expeditious recovery of amounts due, value of gas, fines, penalties and other outstanding amounts payable and sums due to Gas Utility Companies and for matters ancillary and related thereto.