KARACHI(National Times)- The Sindh Assembly, otherwise divided along bitter party lines, on Tuesday unanimously demanded through a resolution that the federal government immediately stop the practice of increasing petroleum prices on a daily basis, saying that no new shipment or import of petrol arrives in the country every day to justify it.
The resolution, tabled by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Muhammad Owais, said that daily fluctuations in international oil prices should not be passed on to consumers on a daily basis, as Pakistan did not import petrol daily.
The resolution said that the continuous increase in petrol prices was fuelling inflation and the common man was facing severe hardship.
It said, “This House demands that the federal government immediately stop the daily increase in petroleum product prices,” adding that no new shipment or import of petrol arrived in Pakistan on a daily basis to justify passing on daily fluctuations in international prices.
The resolution demanded that stability be brought to petroleum prices to provide relief to the public and that the practice of daily price hikes be ended forthwith.
This was the second adopted resolution related to petroleum products in the current session of the assembly.
Speaking on his resolution, the PTI member also demanded the withdrawal of the Rs100-plus petroleum levy through a unanimously adopted resolution.
Supporting the resolution, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that people were distressed due to rising petroleum prices and the federal government was charging over Rs100 per litre as a levy, which should be withdrawn.
He asked the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), an ally of the federal government, to take up the issue with the Centre to provide relief to the people.
Recalling that the MQM had once quit the PPP-led federal government in 2008 over a one-rupee increase in petrol price, he said the party was now silently enjoying power. “Those who are sitting in the federal cabinet should speak on this issue,” he said.
The senior minister said that the PPP fully supported the resolution and demanded that the federal government abolish the levy and “come to its senses” on petroleum pricing.
He said that MQM-P’s federal representatives should explain why they were not raising their voice against petroleum inflation.
‘PM’s Rs100 subsidy on petrol not sufficient’
Later, speaking to reporters at the Media Corner on the premises of the assembly, provincial government spokesperson Sadia Javed said the federal government’s plan to give a Rs100 subsidy on petrol for certain categories was not sufficient and would not benefit the poor.
She said that the prime minister should improve the FBR’s performance and reduce the Rs125 per litre tax on petrol, as only a direct cut in prices would provide genuine relief.
She argued that petrol was not used only by the elite but also by goods transport, and unless transport costs came down, food prices would not fall.
Ms Javed also lashed out at Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal, terming him “extremely ill-mannered” for cursing politics, and said that if he hated politics so much he should quit politics and resign from his ministry.
She questioned why he had not resigned over the deaths of children at PIMS Hospital.
Adjournment motion
During proceedings, an adjournment motion by MQM-P MPA Amir Siddiqui regarding the sale of narcotics under flyovers and bridges was rejected by a member of the Panel of Chairmen, Dr Sikandar Shoro, after opposition from the government.
Mr Siddiqui said that drugs were being sold openly under flyovers and bridges.
He said that the menace was also affecting educational institutions, including schools and colleges.
PPP MPA Heer Soho opposed the motion, saying an adjournment motion had to relate to a recent occurrence and the motion did not meet the criteria.
Education Minister said the assembly’s standing committee on home had already taken up the issue and action was being taken in this regard. “Let the result come,” he said.
Excise Minister Mukesh Chawala also opposed the adjournment motion, saying that the house had already debated the issue at length and the government was working to contain the menace.
The chair said that the motion was not maintainable and ruled it out of order.
Question Hour
Earlier, during the Question Hour, Women Development Minister Shaheena Sher Ali said that complaint centres were functioning at the divisional level across the province and offices were also set up in every district. “Five to 15 complaints were received daily, and prompt action was taken on them,” she added.
The minister said that women were being imparted training through a revolving fund and two day-care centres were functioning in Karachi with a prescribed age limit for admission. “Awareness is being created about helpline 1094,” she added.
Replying to a question, she said there was no day-care centre inside the Sindh Assembly, but one was functioning near the Karachi Press Club.
Dr Sikandar Shoro, who was presiding over the sitting as a member of the Panel of Chairmen, observed that the assembly should also have a day-care centre.
The minister said that the department would establish one if space was provided.
Several other items on the assembly business agenda, including three other resolutions and as many private motions of the opposition members, did not come up as the house was adjourned immediately after the unanimous passage of the resolution against the petroleum levy.
The house was later adjourned till Friday.
