Pakistanis should brace for an increase in petroleum prices and potential fuel shortages, a top official warned a Senate committee on Monday, citing the prevailing situation in Iran. The alert was delivered by the Secretary of the Petroleum Division, who cautioned that regional instability could disrupt supply chains.
The warning came during a session of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, held at Parliament House and presided over by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, who was unanimously nominated by the attending members, according to a report by Senate office today.
A significant portion of the proceedings was dedicated to the chronic underrepresentation of Balochistan and Sindh in the federal government. Senator Ghumro expressed serious concern over the low number of employees from Balochistan in the Federal Secretariat, instructing the Establishment Division to fulfil the employment quotas for both provinces on a priority basis. He stressed that these provinces have historically been deprived of their rightful share.
The chair further mandated the Establishment Division to circulate a letter to all ministries, divisions, and autonomous corporations, demanding the immediate fulfilment of provincial quotas. He specified that this should be framed as the provision of a “rightful share” to the provinces, not a “favour” suggested by the term quota.
In a related matter, the committee addressed the issue of appointments secured through fraudulent domiciles. It directed the relevant authorities to launch a comprehensive verification of the domiciles of all individuals currently employed at the federal level.
Discussions on the power sector highlighted long-standing challenges, with Senator Ghumro observing that the nation continues to suffer due to contracts signed with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). He advocated for greater decentralisation, arguing that more operational responsibility should be shifted to Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to manage their affairs independently and reduce the Federal Government”s burden.
The committee also heard from Senator Poonjo Bheel regarding the Thar Coal Project. He pointed out a discrepancy in an agreement to provide 300 free units of electricity to Islamkot residents, who he said were still receiving regular bills. In response, officials clarified that government approval was for 100 free units per month for 4,688 consumers in the area.
Briefing the committee, the Special Secretary of the Ministry of Energy clarified that power infrastructure funded by the federal government remains its property, while assets established by provincial governments are owned by the respective provinces, who may sell electricity at their own determined rates.
The session concluded with the committee expressing its dissatisfaction with what it termed incomplete information from the departments. It instructed the concerned officials to return for the next meeting with detailed province-wise breakdowns of employees and budget allocations. The meeting was attended by Senators Sardar Al-Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij and Poonjo Bheel, with Senator Jan Mohammad Buledi present as a special invitee.
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