Senate opposition protests KESC’s privatisation

ISLAMABAD: The opposition in the Senate on Friday staged a token walkout against the Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation’s (KESC) privatisation and expressed solidarity with the corporation’s workers.

Senate Opposition Leader Raza Rabbani spoke on a point of order and said they (the opposition) were against the corporation’s privatisation and it being given to “foreign companies”.

“As several strategically important installations are connected to the KESC, it should not be given to any foreign company,” he added. He had got news from Karachi that KESC’s privatisation process had started and several foreign companies were bidding for the corporation, Raza Rabbani added. Criticising the threats being given to KESC’s employees by several army officers working with the corporation, he said, “The officers are threatening to sack the employees.” He also criticised the government for pursuing anti-worker policies.

The Senate chairman deferred the presentation report on the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Senate on Raza Rabbani’s intervention.

When Dr Sher Afgan, parliamentary affairs minister, sought the chair’s permission to present the report, Raza Rabbani opposed it, saying that the parliamentary leaders had been consulted while preparing the report and therefore it might be delayed and input of all parties represented in the House be consulted before presenting it to the House. The chair then ruled that the report’s presentation be delayed and the leaders of all parties represented in the House be consulted for their input. “Any other member wanting to attend the committee meeting may also be invited,” he added. The standing committee of the parliament on rules and procedures has prepared the report and seeks amendments in some clauses to make it more appropriate in running the business of the House in an ideal manner. staff report

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