Khurshid Shah warns govt of serious public blowback over loadshedding

“If the provinces aren’t given their fare share of electricity, the blow-back can be serious,” warned Shah, adding in light of Punjab’s electricity needs compared to that of other provinces; “What if Sindh decides to stop gas supply to other provinces?”

His comments, followed by a walk-out, invited much criticism from government officials present in the assembly.

Lamenting at what he termed as a “daily drama” staged by the opposition parties, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer reminded the house that electricity production had crossed the 19,000 MW mark in recent days and insisted that the government’s decision to not supply electricity to areas where electricity theft is high, was made in order to avoid spiraling the country back into circular debt.

“With threats to block gas supply from Sindh, where do you wish to take this conversation?” he asked.

Apart from load-shedding, a number of other topics were brought under discussion in Monday’s session.

Read more: Inciting Speech: Supreme Court gives Nehal time till June 16 to submit reply

Khurshid Shah spoke about Nehal Hashmi’s recent tirade against the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) currently probing the Hussain and Hasan Nawaz for their involvement in the Panama papers scandal.

He said, “Nehal Hashmi must have someone behind him; surely he doesn’t have the courage to say what he said on his own accord.”

Hitting back at Shah’s harsh criticism, Tanveer stated it was Shah, who was speaking “on behalf of someone else”.

“Islamabad has become a market place for politicians,” he said, adding, “while he takes the higher moral ground on respect for the judiciary, he should remember the words his leader has used for the military.”

Tanveer further expounded on the Nehal Hashmi controversy, saying; “Workers often say things as a result of emotional outbursts. Although it’s better to not say such things, it is also improper to take their words out of context. The opposition’s attitude is sending out the wrong message.”

Shah’s criticism however, did not end at load-shedding or the Nehal Hashmi affair.

He spoke about the government’s close ties with Qatar, in light of the recent move by four gulf states to severe diplomatic ties with Qatar.

“We are getting royal horses and letters from them [Qatar],” he said.

Also read: Case filed against Nehal Hashmi for threatening sitting public servants

Minister of National Assembly and prime minister’s son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar raised the issue of the slain sewerage worker who died at the hands of doctor’s alleged carelessness in Umerkot. He proposed that those responsible be held accountable and said that if need be, he would be willing to register a First Investigation Report (FIR) against the doctors who refused to treat the ill-fated patient.

PML-N Minister Mian Abdul Mannan, while directing criticism towards the Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaaf (PTI) said the party had boycotted the parliament and even called it a fake parliament, “but still had not let go of the salaries and privileges they get as parliamentarians.”

To the PTI leadership, Aman said, “If you show love, we will also show love; if you play the blame-game, we will do the same.”

Article source: http://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/54973-khurshid-shah-warns-govt-of-serious-public-blowback-over-loadshedding.html