Opposition slams govt on proposed Qadirpur Gas Field privatisation

[pkpatriotic]

Proposals for enhancing gas price will soon be sent to Govt.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008

ISLAMABAD: The proposals for enhancement in gas price will be sent to the government by OGRA before November 20.

OGRA officials talking to Geo News told this. They said that OGRA held hearing to the arguments of the industrialists and the officials of SSGC on November 10 and the final decision in this regard would be taken keeping in view of the data, the appreciated value of dollar and other relevant requirements.

OGRA officials said that Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has requested for the enhancement of gas price for different industries in the range of 30-51 percent in a bid to achieve its targeted income. OGRA in the light of the data presented in support of their arguments would apprise the government of its proposals in this regard and, thereafter, the government keeping in view its financial position would make a decision as to how much increase should be allowed and in what proportion the burden on different consumers should be distributed.

QUOTE:
What a efficient Goverment and its good governanace that continue to present gifts of new inflation cycle to the nation one by another

 

[DarkStar]

Opposition slams govt on proposed Qadirpur Gas Field privatisation

* MQM MNA says PPP selling Sindh’s assets despite promising provincial autonomy in its manifesto

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The opposition in the Senate and National Assembly on Tuesday criticised the government over the proposed privatisation of national assets like Qadirpur Gas Field, Dadu Sugar Mills and National Bank of Pakistan.

The opposition was sceptical of the government not conducting a deep field study of the reservoir, which they said could result in the discovery of more gas reserves.

Leader of the Opposition Kamil Agha of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) said the gas field’s 37 percent shares, worth at least $12 billion, were being offered at a throw-away price of $2 billion to $2.5 billion.

Senator Ahmed Ali of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) contradicted Minister for Privatisation Naveed Qamar’s earlier statement that there would be no retrenchment of Qadirpur employees and gas prices would be fixed by government. PML-Nawaz Senator Ishaq Dar said Qadirpur was the country’s second largest gas field.

National Assembly: MQM MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi said all political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had mentioned provincial autonomy in their manifestos, and it was disturbing that the PPP-led government had decided to privatise Qadirpur, which earns Rs 36 billion annually. He said the gas field belonged to Sindh and its privatisation would be a ‘dacoity’ on the province’s rights.

PML-N MNA Abid Sher Ali said the PPP-led government should have learnt a lesson from the previous government’s decision to privatise Pakistan Steel Mills.

PML-Q MNA Humayun Saifullah Khan said the decision could not be taken without the permission of the Council of Common Interest.