The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, chaired by Abdul Qadir Gilani, held a session today that focused on critical issues ranging from the safety of LPG tankers to the controversial revival of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) and the equitable distribution of development funds.
The meeting opened with a heated discussion on the LPG tanker explosion in Multan in January this year.
Committee members expressed strong displeasure over the performance of OGRA (Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority) regarding LPG tankers. OGRA Chairman Masroor Ahmad informed the committee that “OGRA did not have an office in Multan previously, but an office has now been established.”
OGRA Chairman stated that actions are being taken against illegal LPG tankers, and penalties are being made stricter.”
He revealed, “We are bringing amendments to criminal laws. Previously, the penalty was six months imprisonment and a fine of PKR 3,000. Now, through amendments, a proposal is to impose 10 years imprisonment and a fine of PKR 20 million.”
MNA Dawar Kundi criticized the previous meager fine, asking, “Such a small fine, why were the licenses of these tankers not canceled?” MNA Saleem-ur-Rehman expressed outrage, stating, “OGRA has committed injustice; CNG is being openly sold next to the Swat Motorway.” Major (retd) Tahir Iqbal questioned, “Does OGRA have a system for checking tankers? Tracking should also be done.”
He further suggested that “increasing penalties will do nothing; suspending licenses is the right action.”
The committee referred the matter of illegal and substandard LPG tankers to the **Standing Committee on Petroleum** and directed that answers to committee members’ questions be provided in the next meeting.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the demand by the majority of committee members for the restoration of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD). However, committee member Dawar Kundi voiced strong objections: “My party and I object to the restoration of PWD.”
Committee member Naz Baloch argued, “Locking down institutions is not the solution to the problem; corruption should be eliminated.” The committee decided to form a subcommittee on PWD projects, with Sami-ul-Hassan Gilani as its convener and Naz Baloch as a member.
Officials from the Finance Ministry stated that “six PWD projects were transferred to the Finance Ministry” and that work was done on an equal basis with the provinces. They clarified that the Finance Ministry was prepared to transfer six projects that came to them to the Sindh Finance Ministry, but Sindh was requesting 27 projects that belonged to the Cabinet Division.
Naz Baloch expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “I do not agree with the Finance Ministry’s answer.” The Committee Chairman directed that the matter of development projects be discussed in the subcommittee.
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