November 19, 2008	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 20, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: A clarification issued by the Press Information Department has described a report published in a section of the press on November 14 regarding unauthorized utilization of electricity during the marriage ceremony of the son of Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah as ‘incorrect and baseless’.

It says that the report was published without verifying facts from the minister and the authorities concerned, ie DHA & KESC. According to the PID clarification, an open plot adjacent to the Defence Housing Authority residence of the minister was used with the prior permission of the owner and DHA for wedding tents after erecting a cemented boundary wall in accordance with DHA’s policy guidelines.

About the electricity connection, it said the KESC authorities had issued a bill of temporary connection after an advance payment of Rs6,000 in line with their policy. “The question of illegal connection, therefore, does not arise for lighting purpose. The generator was hired from open market which was used to supply electricity to the function premises.”