The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has directed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to seek explanations from institutions involved in irregularities in foreign-funded projects.
The committee, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, reviewed the procedure for obtaining foreign loans by the federal and provincial governments. Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division told the meeting that the Pakistan Railways ML-1 project is no longer part of CPEC and financing of US$5.7 billion is now being arranged through the Asian Development Bank and other institutions.
An opinion of the Ministry of Law was read out during the meeting. Senator Kamran Murtaza said an SO had written to inform the committee that the matter did not fall within its jurisdiction. He said the committee should first decide the issue, adding that if this was the position, there would be little purpose in continuing the proceedings.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha said the letter appeared intended to create confusion and reflected disregard for Parliament.
The committee recalled that it had directed the Economic Affairs Division to write to refer a Power Division matter to the FIA. Chairman Senator Saifullah Abro said the committee was authorised to ask NAB and the FIA directly to conduct investigations, but had instead asked the division to act in order to strengthen its role in matters relating to foreign loans.
During the meeting, the chairman also alleged that a 10 per cent payment was demanded on each complaint relating to a Sindh Procurement Regulatory Authority project. He said complaints concerning project design and corruption in a scheme worth Rs1 billion would require a payment of Rs100 million.
