ISLAMABAD: Senators on Friday expressed concern over Pakistan’s petroleum supply situation amid escalating tensions in West Asia, urging the government to brief Parliament on its contingency plans to address potential shortages.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking on a point of public importance in the Senate, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said the regional conflict and reports of renewed attacks on Iran had heightened uncertainty over the country’s energy security. She called on the ministers for petroleum and power to brief the House on Monday or Tuesday.
Rehman noted that Pakistan had received five liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargoes last year, compared with only two cargoes being arranged through spot bookings this year. She said Pakistan imported nearly 70 per cent of its LPG requirements, while the remaining 30 per cent was met through domestic production.
She questioned whether petrol and other petroleum products would remain available until December and whether the government was considering rationing. She stressed that Parliament needed to be kept informed about developments that could affect energy supplies, economic stability and ordinary citizens.
The senator also questioned the utilisation of the carbon levy, calling for transparency and accountability in the collection and spending of the revenue. Referring to a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, she said the Finance Division had acknowledged that the levy was not being spent on environmental projects.
Rehman argued that Pakistan’s exposure to devastating floods and other climate-related disasters required a transparent mechanism to ensure that revenue collected through petroleum-related levies supported climate mitigation and resilience. She called for restructuring the levy as a carbon tax with ring-fenced spending for climate action.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also expressed concern over the regional conflicts and their potential impact on Pakistan’s energy supplies. Referring to tensions involving Iran, Yemen and other parts of the region, he warned that energy-related difficulties and inflation could worsen.
He highlighted reports of electricity shortages in Punjab and difficulties in LPG availability, adding that rising petrol and diesel prices would further complicate efforts to control inflation. He also criticised the government’s handling of broader economic and political challenges.
During Question Hour, senators raised concerns about alleged corruption among Customs officials at international airports. Responding to supplementary questions by Senator Shahadat Awan, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said the government maintained zero tolerance for corruption in public institutions, including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Kayani said an automated and impersonal system had been introduced to curb corruption within Pakistan Customs and that action had been taken against 31 officials over the past three years. He added that modern technologies, including artificial intelligence-based systems, were being used to prevent corrupt practices at airports.
He also assured the House that a briefing would be provided to the relevant committee on the benefits of upgrading the Customs system.
Treasury member Khalil Tahir questioned the description of officials as allegedly involved in corruption, arguing that the matter required further scrutiny if sufficient evidence was lacking. The chair referred the issue to the relevant committee.
Meanwhile, the Senate session was adjourned until Monday at 4pm after the House failed to meet the required quorum. PTI Senator Falak Naz Chitrali pointed out the lack of quorum when the government attempted to proceed with legislation. Bells were rung to summon members, but the subsequent count confirmed that the required number was still not present.
Story by Mumtaz Alvi
