He said that GT Road is sold out to mafias by officials in FBR and others who, then, systematically facilitate the smugglers in bringing their goods to cities, adding if only GT Road is restricted for smugglers; it could help a common man get rid of several unnecessary taxes.
Senator Mohsin Aziz said that FBR is losing Rs 3 billion per annum in tax collection due to rampant smuggling, but some quarters within the government in connivance with 'baboos' in FBR are ruling the roost as they have to get their share from smuggling. Senator Rehman Malik said that SRO is the root cause of increasing trend of smuggling, adding all governments, including his party's government, issued SROs despite knowing its disadvantages, which ultimately result in loss to the national exchequer.
Senator Samina Abid of PTI hit hard at Nehal Hashmi of PML-N when the latter tried to link the "civil disobedience' call given by Imran Khan during his anti-government sit-ins back in 2014 with the smuggling.
She said if PTI is to be blamed for the smuggling, albeit allegation carries no weight, how Nawaz Sharif can be spared for money laundering to buy his London flats. An intervention by Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani helped control the situation, but the PTI senator plainly conveyed to PML-N MPs, saying, "Stop it or we will respond in the same tone." "Why there is no issue of smuggling in Bangladesh or India, as both the countries have porous borders....it's the complete failure of the government," she added.
Winding up the debate, Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid said that smuggling goods worth Rs 36 billion have been confiscated during the last 4 years, adding goods and narcotics worth Rs 5.3 billion were confiscated in 2012-13, Rs 7.4 billion in 2013-14, Rs 9.5 billion in 2014-15 and goods and narcotics worth Rs 14.3 billion were confiscated in 2015-16.
He said the government has devised a stringent strategy for controlling smuggling from Pak-Afghan border that is porous and the main route of smuggling. "No smuggling is taking place on the frequented routes," he added. The lawmakers also came hard on Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), saying it is the only institution responsible for deterioration of all kinds of sports in the country, as kith and kin of PSB officials are handpicked who are unable to compete even at the national level.
Speaking on a motion moved by Senator Kulsum Perveen of ruling Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N), the lawmakers said nepotism in selection of sportsman is the main reason that led to fall of sports in the country. They called upon the government to get rid of 'parasites' within PSB, saying the country could not regain its lost glory in sports unless all those ruling the roost right from management to sportsmen at PSB are selected on merit.
"Whenever there is a trip abroad, you can see 12 officials with 3 players, which shows how serious they are about promoting sports in the country. There should be a complete ban on those officials making such unnecessary visits," said Senator Perveeen. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said the government should pay special attention to promote sports, as this is the only way out to unite a nation which has been fighting the war against militancy for the last several years.
"Cricket or any other sports is a must to unite the people, and the way people of Afghanistan love the game of cricket, where Pakistan has exported the game, shows Pakistan should pay special attention to promote its games," he added.
Winding up the debate, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada said the government is making all-out efforts for the uplift of sports in the country. He said the sports sector was badly affected due to law and order situation in the country in past but now due to the improved situation; this sector will be revived with all possible efforts.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said there is stock of 16,500 metric tons of furnace oil in the country while the consumption is 7,000 metric tons per day. He was responding to a point of public importance raised by Senator Taj Haider regarding decrease in consumption of furnace oil in the country and its overall effects. He said that there is possibility of any crisis in this regard and the fuel supply will be ensured according to the demand.
The House adopted 2 resolutions. The first was about taking necessary steps to regulate working hours, fees and other charges of private hospitals and clinics in Islamabad while the other resolution was about paying tribute to Pakistan Navy on successfully conducting the biggest International Naval Peace Exercise in Pakistan in collaboration with 37 countries. Three more resolutions on the agenda were dropped due to the absence of movers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017