Although the entire house was keen to speak on the bill, due to the lack of time because of Friday prayers, only 19 members – from both sides of the house – were able to express their views. All of them paid tribute to Culture and Tourism Minister Sassui Palejo for her keen interest in developing the Gorakh Hills into a summer resort.
Speakers pointed out that the implementation of the project had remained neglected since 1952 for want of political will by successive governments, except for the Benazir Bhutto-led Pakistan People’s Party governments, when funds were provided for developing infrastructure facilities. However, work was abandoned with the removal of the PPP governments.
They said that with the development of the Gorakh Hills into a summer resort, a big change in the area’s socio-economic conditions would be witnessed with the inflow of tourists.
The house, which was called to order by Speaker Nisar Ahmad Khuhro at 10.45am, an hour and 45 minutes behind schedule, was adjourned at 1.30pm to meet on Monday at 9.30am.
After question hour, which was on the irrigation and power department, Information Minister Shazia Marri, who had earlier come to the press gallery to inquire about the journalists’ protest, informed the house that the press-men had staged a walkout from the gallery to register their protest against the manhandling of DawnNews reporter Hasan Abdullah at the hands of an intelligence agency’s personnel. They were also protesting against the murder of Dadu journalist Azim Leghari and wanted action against his killers to be expedited.
Law Minister Ayaz Soomro assured the journalists from the floor of the house that the additional law secretary had noted the matter and an impartial inquiry would be conducted.
KESC in the dock
There was discussion for over 20 minutes on the havoc caused due to unannounced load-shedding by the KESC for 18 to 20 hours, inflicting untold miseries on the people of Sindh and economically crippling Karachi, the financial capital of Pakistan.
The issue was first raised by Khalid Ahmad of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement through a point of order seeking permission to move his resolution out of turn under Rule 211 on the performance of the KESC.
He warned that with only a few days left before Ramazan, if the curse of load-shedding was not checked people would come out on the roads.
Ayaz Soomro agreed with the mover but pointed out that as the resolution was not properly drafted, its motion should be deferred till Monday when a new resolution prepared in consultation with the leader of the opposition and others on the subject could be moved.
He assured the house that if the KESC failed to find a solution and improve the situation, the PPP government, instead of waiting for a review of the privatisation agreement, would not hesitate in cancelling it.
Syed Sardar Ahmad, Rauf Siddiqui, and Arif Mustafa Jatoi also mentioned the suffering of the people.
Following Mr Khuhro’s observation that as the resolution demanded the review of the privatisation agreement, the issue could not be solved in a day, the mover did not insist on moving the resolution.
After introduction of the bill by the law minister, Sassui Palejo said that because of the long absence of the “people’s government” in Pakistan, the rulers had no interest in implementing mega-projects like Gorakh Hills and Thar Coal power project in Sindh for want of political will.“It was Benazir Bhutto’s two governments in 1989 and 1996, which had taken the initiative in developing the Gorakh project, which was neglected with the removal of the people’s government,” she said.
She recalled that during 2007-08, Rs99 million were earmarked for its development on fifty per cent sharing formula between the federal and provincial governments for completion of infrastructural facilities, but the federal government did not contribute a single penny.
The minister hoped that with the passage of the bill, which would set up the GHDA – an autonomous body under the chairmanship of the chief minister – the pace of development would be expedited.
She said in order to improve the law and order situation in the area, it was suggested to set up a police post at every eight kilometres and that the home secretary was made a member of the authority’s managing board.
Jam Tamachi said the Gorakh Hills project was a dream of the people of Sindh, which did not materialise despite millions of rupees being spent on the project. He asked what action had been taken against the contractors as the roads built at the site had washed away during the rains.
Jam Madad Ali, leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, said there was a lot of potential in Sindh and if the available resources were properly utilised, not only people from Pakistan but foreign entrepreneurs would also invest and contribute to the province’s economic development.
Syed Sardar Ahmad pointed out that because the area had some pre-historic sites, including Buddhist heritage sites, the project could also get foreign funding.
He endorsed the suggestion of Heer Soho of including the opposition on the managing committee of the authority.
Standing committees
Arif Mustafa Jatoi said that it was a good bill but it would have been far better if before its adoption it would have been referred to the concerned house committee to improve it further. However, he regretted that so far the committees were not formed and legislation was being done by relaxing the rules under Rule 84.
Anwar Mehar stressed the need for improvement of law and order in the area before its development as no progress was possible without creating peaceful conditions in the area.
Rafique Bhanbhan suggested that every government department should be asked to build their respective rest houses in the Gorakh Hills, which would expedite the pace of development.
Rauf Siddiqui said that instead of the chief minister, who could not spare time because of other important engagements, the minister concerned should be made chairman of the authority to boost the pace of development work.
Shazia Marri said that promotion of tourism was necessary for the development of the country. She added that there was a need not only to develop the Gorakh Hills but all spots which could be turned into tourist attractions.
Syed Murad Ali Shah recalled that because of the law and order problem in the area, the PPP government in 1996 – led by his father Abdullah Shah – had decided to set up a police institute, whose building could not be completed as the government was dismissed.
Rafique Engineer, Kulsoom Chandio, Syed Bachal Shah, Muqeem Alam and Imran Leghari also supported the bill.
Ayaz Soomro, winding up the general discussion, assured the house that all suggestions – including those of the opposition and coalition partner – would be included.
Speaker Nisar Khuhro also highlighted the importance of the Gorakh Hills and recalled his visit to the area when he used to be planning and development minister.