Rising tensions in Iran may soon push up petroleum prices in Pakistan, officials have warned, raising fears of added pressure on consumers already facing high living costs.
The Secretary of the Petroleum Division shared the concern while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution. He told the panel that if the situation in Iran does not improve, fuel supplies across the region could also come under strain. This, he said, may not only increase prices but could also create the risk of shortages.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, who was unanimously nominated to preside. Senators Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij and Poonjo Bheel attended, while Senator Jan Mohammad Buledi joined as a special invitee.
During the session, the committee also took up the issue of free electricity promised to residents of Islamkot under the Thar coal project. Senator Poonjo Bheel said locals were supposed to receive 300 free units of electricity each month under an agreement, but were still being sent bills. Officials responded that the government had approved 100 free units per month for 4,688 consumers in the area.
The Special Secretary of the Power Division explained that assets built with federal funding belong to the federal government, while infrastructure set up by provinces remains under provincial ownership. He added that provinces can sell electricity produced from their projects at rates they decide.
Senator Ghumro raised concerns about past agreements with Independent Power Producers, saying the country continues to bear the burden of those contracts. He called for giving more operational authority to distribution companies so they can manage their affairs independently and reduce pressure on the federal government.
The committee also reviewed the federal quota system. Officials from the Establishment Division said unfilled provincial quotas are usually carried forward to the next year. Ghumro voiced concern over low representation of Balochistan at the Federal Secretariat and directed that quotas for Balochistan and Sindh be filled on priority.
Members further ordered verification of domiciles of federal employees amid concerns about fake documentation. Expressing dissatisfaction over incomplete information, the committee directed authorities to provide detailed province wise data on employees and budget allocations at the next meeting.
