Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Wednesday unanimously passed its resolution condemning in strongest possible terms the Indian inhumane and illegal actions against the Indian Muslims and Kashmiri youth.
Chairman Committee Rana Maqbool Ahmed said that Indian government and the Hindutva clergy have taken this Pakistani victory against India in T20 as a pinch of salt which speaks volumes about the Indian myopic mindset and lack of sportsmanship spirit.
“It’s a matter of sorrow that strong violent reactions are witnessed in the Indian cities in general and in mega, Indian Occupied Kashmir.
In Srinagar, cases are registered against the students of colleges and universities for the innocent student’s mere, celebration and the happiness over the victory of Pakistani Team.
There is a trajectory of Indian atrocities against the innocent students, young men and elderly people living in the IOJ&K. flagrant violation of human rights is being perpetrated against the courageous Kashmiri people.
The Committee held its meeting in parliament house under the Chairmanship of Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed.
At outset of the meeting Chairman Committee appreciated Pakistan Cricket Team’s remarkable performance against India and New Zealand and also felicitated the whole nation for such an emphatic victory. He termed the cricket team’s victory as “Unimaginable Achievement”.
Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee members regarding privatization of PTCL. Chairman PTA said that 26% shares of PTCL were privatized in 2006 through a bidding process.
Etisalat acquired these shares. Committee was further informed that around 800 million US dollar proceeds of privatization have still not been recovered from Etisalat.
As per the agreement total of 3263 properties were to be transferred to Etisalat out of which 3230 properties have been transferred and 33 properties could not be transferred due to certain unavoidable circumstances.
Chairman Committee expressed his reservations regarding the whole process of privatization and commented that “why public money is still languishing from last 15 years. Someone must be held accountable for this delay”.
Chairman PTA informed the committee members that matter comes under the ambit of Privatization Commission and Ministry of Finance.
Chairman Committee directed to summon the officials of Privatization Commission along with all the related record of PTCL privatization in the next meeting of the committee. Committee also took up the matter of health hazards caused by mobile transmission towers of telecommunication companies.
Chairman PTA informed that safety guidelines regarding height and power intensity of such equipment have been issued to companies as per global practice for compliance and authority also monitors the situation independently.
