Opposition members in the Senate on Thursday opposed the privatisation programme and described it as anti-worker and against national interests.
Speaking on a motion regarding privatisation policy of the government, PPP Senator Raza Rabbani said the government should enhance its tax-net by imposing tax on affluent class and the money generated from it should be spent to transform the state-owned enterprises into profitable entities.
Proposing a number of steps for bringing improvements in the state-owned organizations, he said labour union should be given 12 percent shares in order to make them the stakeholders in the financial health of the organisations. He said political interference in the appointments and postings should also be stopped.
Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal said the loss making institutions were a burden on the national exchequer and the government’s decision to privatise them was a step in the right direction. Transparency would be ensured in the entire process of privatisation. He said it was not the job of the government to run the businesses, but the private sector.
Saeed Ghani said the private sector, instead of purchasing state owned entities, should be encouraged to establish their own institutions.
Talha Mehmood praised the government for making top level appointments in public sector organisations on merit.
Nasreen Jalil supported the privatisation policy but said rights of employees should be protected in the process besides ensuring transparency.
