WAPDA units' privatization to be security risk: Rabbani.

KARACHI -- Senator Raza Rabbani, former Chairman of the Senate has said that privatization of the WAPDA's distribution and power generation companies would be a security risk for the country and demanded the government to cancel its entire privatization programme. Addressing a press conference along with trade unions and labour leaders at Karachi Press Club on Saturday, Senator Rabbani condemned the recent increase in power rates and demanded to take 'back this decision'.

'Earlier, the government had increased prices of petroleum products unilaterally, which would affect the poor population and further increase in prices of essential commodities, Senator Raza Rabbani said. 'Privatization is being done under the agreement with IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, but those agreements are kept secret. Basic infrastructure industries like power generation units are being privatized, which may become a threat to national security,' he remarked.

Privatization programme of this government is unconstitutional because all the public sector companies under federation come under the purview of Council of Common Interests (CCI), Raza Rabbani said. Unfortunately, the government is supporting its crony capitalists and big private investors and plans to hand over the national assets to their friends. The government gave an NRO to the construction industry by providing attractive incentives to big investors and making their black assets to whiten. Only three days ago another NRO Ordinance was issued, which extended the incentives package to the construction industry for the next six months.

On the other hand, Rabbani said the workers who play an important role in development of the country are not provided any facilities, instead they are being crushed through price hike and other anti-people measures. Committee on privatization or Cabinet are not entitled to take any such incident to privatize.

Earlier a CBA in all companies of WAPDA was there, but this government has now decided to set up separate trade unions in each company. This is the anti-workers and trade unionism step of the government, he added. The government has decided to hold a separate referendum in each distribution company, he added. Rabbani said earlier the government had privatized K-Electric, which was sold to the private management on the condition that the new private management would invest in infrastructure. However, he pointed out that the KE's services were not improved...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT