Karachi : The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat convened a meeting at the Sindh Secretariat Building, Karachi, under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan to review matters relating to petroleum regulation and key infrastructure projects in Karachi, including the K-IV water supply scheme and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.
The meeting was attended by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Senator Atta-ur-Rehman, Senator Abdul Qadir, Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) Senator Ms. Anoosha Rehman.
The Committee first received a detailed briefing from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). Acting Chairman OGRA, Mr. Shehzad Iqbal, along with the Senior Executive Director and Executive Director (Gas), briefed the Committee on petroleum pricing mechanisms, fuel availability in the country, and the regulatory framework governing Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
During the discussion, members of the Committee sought clarification regarding OGRA’s regulatory authority over decisions taken by landlords to switch OMCs overnight without following due procedure. OGRA officials informed the Committee that while the Authority regulates licensing, compliance, and pricing frameworks, operational procedures adopted by OMCs fall outside its direct administrative jurisdiction. The committee didn’t find the response from OGRA reasonable and further deliberation will be done in the next OGRA meeting.
Members of the Committee expressed concern over the recent increase in petroleum prices and its impact on the general public. Chairman Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan sought clarification regarding the implications of the price adjustment for consumers and the measures being taken to mitigate the burden on the public.
Responding to queries raised by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, the Acting Chairman OGRA informed the Committee that diesel and petroleum reserves currently available in the country are sufficient for the coming weeks and that the Government is taking additional measures to ensure continuity of supply. OGRA officials further stated that various administrative measures, including fuel conservation initiatives, may help optimise available reserves.
Senator Farooq Hamid Naek raised concerns regarding the possibility of further increases in gas tariffs and questioned certain policy measures affecting public sector employees. In response, the Acting Chairman OGRA clarified that the Authority primarily recommends tariff adjustments to the Federal Government based on market factors and regulatory assessments.
Members of the Committee also questioned whether the recent petroleum price adjustments in Pakistan were proportionate when compared with neighbouring countries. Several members emphasised that the public should not be subjected to excessive financial burden and urged the Government to carefully review pricing decisions.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla suggested that a separate meeting of the Committee be convened in Islamabad to conduct a more detailed review of petroleum pricing mechanisms and to examine the factors contributing to recent increases. Members of the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the briefing and sought further clarification in the next session.
The Committee subsequently received a briefing from NESPAK regarding progress on the K-IV Water Supply Project, a major initiative aimed at augmenting Karachi’s water supply. Officials informed the Committee that supervisory responsibilities for the project have recently been assigned to NESPAK, while the World Bank will oversee certain aspects of the implementation process.
The Committee directed that the Chairman WAPDA be invited to the next meeting to provide a comprehensive briefing on the project, including details of previous implementation stages, financial implications, and causes of delays, as the project had remained under WAPDA’s management for several years.
During the meeting, the Committee also reviewed the Karachi Red Bus Transit (KRBT) corridor project, which is being handled by NESPAK. Officials informed the Committee that the estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs. 80 billion. Members of the Committee expressed concern over certain planning gaps and delays associated with the project and directed that all relevant authorities be invited to the next meeting for clarification. The Committee observed that continued delays and unresolved issues may warrant further inquiry.
NESPAK also presented an overview of ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiatives in Karachi, including the Yellow Line BRT and the Lyari Transformation Project (LTP).
Concluding the meeting, Chairman Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan directed NESPAK and the concerned authorities to prepare a comprehensive briefing covering all BRT projects in Karachi, including their financial status, timelines, and implementation challenges, for presentation at the next meeting of the Committee.
In a related development , a senate panel which met in Islamabad also express deep concern over big surge in oil prices for those stocks which were already available in the countr.
The senate panel noted in the meeting that it wants to know who were beneficiaries of last week unprecedented hike in oil prices.
Giving justification of ME war, the government had hiked oil prices within two days after breaking out of US-Israel war on Iran minimum by Rs 55 per litre for those stocks which were already available in the country.
It sparked sharp reaction from the general public. Every section of the society is in shock over the government decision and demanding investigations in to what they call as great oil heist.