Senators seek government briefing on petroleum supplies

Senators on Friday called on the government to explain its contingency plans for petroleum supplies amid concerns over regional tensions and possible disruptions to energy imports.

ISLAMABAD: Senators on Friday called on the government to explain its contingency plans for petroleum supplies amid concerns over regional tensions and possible disruptions to energy imports.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman told the Senate that the evolving situation in West Asia, including reports of renewed attacks on Iran, had heightened uncertainty over the country’s energy security.

“Members across the House are asking a very fundamental question: Will Pakistan have adequate petroleum supplies under the current circumstances?” she said, warning that the issue had implications for economic stability and ordinary citizens.

Rehman said Pakistan imported nearly 70 percent of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) requirements, with domestic production accounting for the rest. She asked whether petrol and other petroleum products would remain available through December and whether the government was considering rationing.

She urged the government to explain how it planned to manage any potential shortfall.

Rehman also criticised the use of revenue collected through the petroleum levy, saying a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change had highlighted concerns over whether the funds were being spent on environmental projects.

She said the additional secretary for finance had acknowledged at the committee meeting that the carbon levy was not being used for environmental purposes. According to Rehman, the revenue went into the Federal Consolidated Fund rather than being ring-fenced for climate action.

She argued that the levy should be restructured in the next budget to ensure that the proceeds were dedicated to climate mitigation and other environmental measures. Pakistan continues to face severe flooding, she said, adding that the government should be accountable for how the revenue was spent.

Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also raised concerns over regional conflicts, referring to fighting involving Iran and Yemen and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.

He said Pakistan should seek to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen rather than become involved in the conflict. He also expressed concern about electricity shortages in Punjab and the availability of LPG, although the draft did not provide independent confirmation of the reported shortages.

Nasir Abbas criticised the government’s handling of domestic affairs, alleging that political disputes between the centre and provinces were diverting attention from public concerns. He also objected to the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that emergency measures had not been imposed in other provinces despite what he described as serious governance problems.

He said the country was facing a crisis of law and justice and claimed that financial pressures were preventing some parents from sending their children to school.

Nasir Abbas also questioned claims that militants had been sheltered in Swat, asking how many suspects had been arrested.

Separately, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, responding to supplementary questions from Senator Shahadat Awan, said the government had zero tolerance for corruption in public institutions, including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Kayani said the prime minister had issued special directives on the matter and that the relevant committee would be briefed on the benefits of upgrading the customs system.

Treasury member Khalil Tahir called for the matter to be referred to a committee, questioning why punishment had been imposed if there was no evidence of corruption.

The Senate session was adjourned until Monday at 4:00 pm after the House failed to meet the quorum required to continue proceedings. The shortfall was pointed out by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Falak Naz Chitrali. Bells were rung to summon members, but a subsequent count found the quorum still incomplete.