ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday said that Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) purchased horticulture machinery and equipment in accordance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules.
He stated this while responding to a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) in the Senate regarding the expenditure of Rs 15 million by MCI on the purchase of sub-standard horticulture machinery and equipment in violation of PEPRA rules.
The minister said that batteries and grass cutting machinery were purchased through this amount and due process was followed in this regard. He said that a tender was floated beforehand, and the entire process was fair and transparent. He said that 154 batteries had to be purchased and a committee had been constituted to carry out technical inspection of all equipment.
Earlier, Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges Chairman Jehanzeb Jamaldini presented reports on two matters referred to it. On behalf of Senate Standing Committee on Interior chairman, Jamaldini presented a report on the Prevention of Witchcraft Bill-2017, the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill-2017, and the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill-2017.
Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq tabled a motion under Rule 204 which was passed by the House. It was regarding the authority exercised by the Senate chairman to appoint a Special Committee to examine the overall working of sports federations in the country under the chair of Senator Dr Ashok Kumar, and comprising of Senators Mushahidullah Khan, Agha Shahzaib Durrani, Sajjad Hussain Turi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Syed Shibli Faraz, Ilyas Ahmad Bilour and Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi.
The Senate chairman, through this motion, was authorised to make changes in the composition of the committee, as and when, deemed necessary. He directed that the report of the committee should be presented not later than two months from the date of notification of the committee.
The chairman admitted an adjournment motion for discussion in any of the next sittings which was regarding the non-profitability of FTAs with China, non-utilisation of concessions granted by China under the first phase of these agreements, need to review/revise the existing FTA agreements which were not promoting value added exports, and the serious concerns regarding the promotion of local industry of Pakistan.
