News
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Bhasha Dam foundation-stone would be laid on 18th: Gilani* Prime minister says Rs2 billion will be given for Lowari Tunnel project completion
* PML-N for permanent solution to load shedding
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday vowed that the current government would complete a record number of mega projects in its tenure and foundation- stone of Diamir Bhasha Dam would be laid on October 18.
Addressing National Assembly (NA), the PM said Bhash Dam project was put before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) for approval of all the stakeholders to avoid that it should not be politicised like Kala Bagh dam.
Responding to a point of order, Gilani said that Lowari Tunnel project was launched during the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government. “I has convened two meetings on the project that requires Rs2 billion for completion,” he maintained. He assured the Lower House that the amount would soon be provided to complete the remaining work on the project. He claimed that the government would complete all mega projects including Diamir Bhasha Dam, Thar Coal, Lowari Tunnel, Neelum-Jehlum, Mangla Uprising and others.
PML-N: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Abdul Qadir Baloch said when people came out on streets the government took appropriate measures and ended the prolonged load shedding for the time being. However, he said it was not a permanent solution to the problem. He questioned why the government had not taken such measures to end the load shedding before protests in the Punjab province and other parts of the country. “Why the shortfall has been allowed to increase to 7500MW from 3000MW in the year 2008?” he added. He said 10,000 illegal tube wells had been regularised in Baluchistan. He urged the government to take action against the corrupt officials of WAPDA responsible for granting illegal connections.
People are suffering greatly from price hike, unemployment and worst type of law and order across the country in general and specially in Balochistan. The government totally failed to deliver and involved in massive corruption, he said, adding, a person in Balochistan is receiving Rs100,000 per month electricity bill while he is getting only two hours power in 24 hours. “We don’t want to bring people on roads and streets but we are just guiding and regulating them,” he maintained.
Militant wings: Criticising target killings, he said from 3,000 to 4,000 people had been killed in Karachi from 2008 to 2011. Police should be empowered to control law and order situation. He urged the political parties to disband their militant wings. In Baluchistan over 60 people of a specific community were killed during last 10 days in Baluchistan, he deplored.
Acting NA Speaker Yasmin Rehman said dengue fever should not be politicised and urged preventive measures to check the spread of dengue and taking health scientists on board for preventing its spread next year.
Hameedullah Jan Afridi said the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) were being wrongly blamed for non-payment of electricity bills. FATA people are paying to political agents under different heads. FATA should be paid royalty of Warsak dam, he said, adding, incentives should be given to people for switching to solar and wind energy. Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar said Fata legislators should deliberate to persuade FATA people to pay power bills.
Awami National Party (ANP) MNA Syed Haider Ali Shah said corrupt officials of WAPDA should be punished. During the last three years no official of WAPDA was held responsible for corruption and power crisis, he said. Provinces should be bound to produce at least 2000 MW to 3000 MW power on their own, he said, adding that ANP had no military wing, as it believed in non-violence.
Taking part in the debate, PML-N parliamentarian Shakeel Awan said that if the issue of load shedding could be resolved in 36 hours then why the government was waiting for last three and half years. The government proved that if people wanted to get resolved any matter, they have to come out on roads and damage the public properties. Sardar Salim Haider said the conspiracy to derail the democratic government would fail and the sitting government would complete its tenure. He called for provision of health and education like basic facilities to the common man.
The NA proceedings were adjourned for two days. The House will meet again at 5pm on Monday.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk