FOREIGN investment tap is fast drying up in Pakistan. In these circumstances, it is alarming to note that two members of the senate of Pakistan have acted in a manner as to send negative vibes to the world about the country’s qualification or otherwise as an attractive destination for foreign investment.

At least this is the signal that was sent when Senator Zahid Khan, who chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power and Senator Shahi Syed ordered that the KESC Managing Director be arrested for failing to appear in person to answer questions of the Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power.

As the requirement of the Senate Committee was to apprise itself on certain issues concerning KESC’s performance, the power utility had seen to it that senior executives were sent to the Senate Committee hearing to satisfy the Senators’ queries.

It is, therefore, quite strange to observe that while the Senate Committee did not even have the time to hear out what the KESC team had to state before it in response to the questions that were sent to KESC management, the Committee was offended that the KESC MD had not appeared in person to answer those questions and issued orders for his arrest.

The Senators in their wisdom may not have realised the impact that this action on their part would have on Pakistan’s image but it would certainly negatively influence those foreign investors who may have the country on their list as an investment destination.

SYED OVAIS AKHTAR Karachi