Islamabad: A meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas was held under the chairmanship of Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani to discuss matters concerning the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, NADRA, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO), and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO). The meeting was attended by Senators Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Aslam Abro, and Danesh Kumar.
The Committee expressed displeasure over the absence of the concerned ministers and directed that their presence must be ensured in future meetings.
During the session, the Committee was briefed on the relocation of the Jacobabad XEN office to a site far from the city, causing public inconvenience. Senator Durrani questioned the transfer of the former XEN despite a pending inquiry into an electrocution incident. Senator Aslam Abro noted that the office had been moved 6 km outside city limits to avoid public complaints. The Committee unanimously resolved that the XEN office be relocated back within city premises, even if a rented building is required. The Chairman directed the Ministry of Energy to provide the inquiry report on the former XEN and recommended his suspension until the inquiry is completed.
The Ministry of Interior briefed the Committee on the relocation of the NADRA office in Jacobabad to the National Highway, which has reportedly contributed to road accidents and public difficulties. The Chairman instructed NADRA to identify two to three suitable government buildings within Jacobabad city for relocation, assuring full Committee support for the move.
The Committee also reviewed the issue of continuous electricity bills being issued in flood-affected areas of Sindh since 2010, despite disconnections. Senator Danesh Kumar questioned the generation of bills without electricity supply and inquired about any bill-waiver scheme. Officials clarified that the bills pertain only to arrears with no new charges added. The Chairman expressed concern over non-recovery of arrears over 15 years and directed a resolution within 15 days, either by categorizing the arrears as bad debt or presenting a viable recovery plan.
Additionally, the Committee was briefed on the promotion of SEPCO and HESCO officers despite ongoing NAB and FIA inquiries. The Committee was assured that no promotions were granted prior to clearance by investigating bodies. However, the Chairman directed HESCO and SEPCO to obtain written clarifications from NAB and FIA regarding officers' inquiry status and submit them within three working days. The Power Division was also tasked with verifying whether promotion procedures were correctly followed by the formerly dissolved Boards of Directors and submit a report accordingly.