PSO questioned over contract to Israeli company

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday sought a report from Pakistan State Oil (PSO) on grant of a contract to Israeli company Turpak-Orpak in violation of criteria and rules. Chairman of the Senate body Talha Mehmood said that the award of contract caused great loss to the national exchequer as well as serious risk to the national security. He said," PSO supplies oil to sensitive institutions of the country", and added that the company installed sensitive equipment on different petrol pumps which was a matter of great concern. He asked the PSO Managing Director to probe the matter and give a report within 15 days to the Ministry of Interior for further investigation and action. The Committee was of the view that treason case should be registered against the officials involved in award of contract to the company. Meanwhile, the Committee discussed the report of sub-committee on interior on the issue of blockage of main roads in Islamabad. The Committee was of the view that state guest houses should be constructed so that the blockage could be removed. The Secretary Interior said ," The construction of state guest houses requires billion of rupees but the government lacks resources". A representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the construction of state guest houses was not feasible because those would only serve heads of the state. He said that during last three years only three heads of state visited Pakistan. The Committee, however, said that if state guest houses were not feasible then some alternate houses should be constructed for foreign dignitaries. The sub-committee in its report said that the Capital Development Authority constructed dual carriageway in front of Serena and Marriott hotels. However, Islamabad police and ICT administration have closed northern carriageway of road in front of Serena and one lane of southern carriageway of road in front of Marriott. The Committee reviewed the progress in case of Bawan Shah group of Companies.