KARACHI: Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh on Thursday told the Sindh Assembly that the federal government had created an artificial crisis of natural gas in the country rendering thousands of industrial workers and fuel stations without work. He pointed out that absence of gas had led to closure of industries and CNG stations.

Responding to a call attention notice motion tabled by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s Syed Abdur Rasheed, the minister vehemently criticised the federal government for its “failed” policies saying that people were even now unable to pay electricity bills due to hike in prices.

The opposition MPA from Lyari had invited the attention of the home minister, portfolio of which is held by the chief minister, to an incident of firing on Lyari residents, who were protesting outside the K-Electric office against disconnection of power supply in their area.

The MPA wanted to know what action had been taken by the provincial government against the culprits and the K-Electric.

Abdur Rasheed said that the wounded included an 11-year-old boy who received two bullets in his legs, rendering him crippled for the rest of his life.

He said another person received a bullet in his abdomen and was still struggling for life, while a passer-by was hit by a bullet in his hand.

He said that several cameras were installed at the nearby shops and building near the place of the incident, but no one had been arrested so far, asking if police were only for protecting rulers.

The MPA said that power supply was restored to Lyari after 72 hours i.e at around 12.30am on Thursday.

Replying to his question, Imtiaz Shaikh on behalf of the home minister, said that the people in Lyari took to the street against suspension of electricity in the area on Nov 22 to hold a demonstration outside the nearby K-Electric office.

He said that the security guard of the power utility resorted to aerial firing and in the meantime two unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on the demonstrators and sped away.

The energy minister said that three people, identified as Meezan, Ghulam Farooq and Sohail were wounded in the incident and a case was registered against unknown attackers at the Baghdadi police station on the complaint of Meezan.

He said that an investigation into the case was in progress, and assured MPA Rasheed that culprits would be brought to book.

The minister said he took up the matter of power suspension to Lyari with the K-Electric which informed him that there were over Rs8 billion outstanding dues in Lyari and Rs1bn in Malir.

The energy minister said that consumers were bound to pay the electricity bill, adding that people were unable to pay utility bills due to price hike.

He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s federal government had completely failed as people had been left nowhere due to ‘unprecedented’ inflation.

Adjournment motion

Meanwhile, the house admitted an adjournment motion of PPP’s Jam Shabbir Ali against approval of Census 2017 by the federal government.

The assembly would debate on the adjournment motion on Monday. Separately, Deputy Speaker Rehana Leghari ruled out-of-order a privilege motion of MQM-P’s Muhammad Hussain against delay in presenting the auditor general of Pakistan’s reports before the provincial Assembly.

Legislation

The assembly passed the Sindh Mines and Minerals Governance Bill, 2021 for enabling business environment for investment in the sector.

The statement of objects and reasons of the bill read that it was expedient to enact a law for creating transparent and competitive business environment.

The act would also provide institutional oversight to steer and develop mining sector and mineral dressing in the province.

Meanwhile, ‘The Education City (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ was also passed by the assembly to include the post of ‘Project Director’ in composition of the board.

The statement of objects and reasons of the bill read that the Education City Board would be more effective and functional after the amendment.

Separately, The Sindh Sales Tax on Services (Amendment) Bill 2021, was introduced and sent to concerned standing committee for further deliberations.

Later, Deputy Speaker Rehana Leghari adjourned the house to Friday.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2021