
Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2025 considered in detail
The chairman attended the meeting from abroad and, after commencing the proceedings, sought permission to leave.
Subsequently, the committee, unanimously, elected Syed Naveed Qamar, to preside over the remainder of the meeting under rule-216 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
At the outset, the committee confirmed the minutes of its previous meeting held on 22nd May 2025 and extended a warm welcome to the federal minister for Petroleum Division, members of the committee, and officials from various divisions, and departments for their participation.
The committee then considered in detail the Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Government Bill) and recommended its passage by the National Assembly with amendments.
The sub-committee was constituted under the convener-ship of Syed Naveed Qamar submitted its report to the main Standing Committee, which adopted it and recommended that its proposals be forwarded to the Petroleum Division for further necessary action.
The Sub-Committee comprised Syed Naveed Qamar, Asad Alam Niazi, Muhammad Moin Aamer Pirzada and Gul Asghar Khan.
Its Terms of Reference were to discuss and formulate new guidelines for the efficient utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, Production Bonuses, and Training Funds for capacity-building, with the objective of ensuring transparency and providing relief to local communities.
The meeting was attended by members of the National Assembly, including Anwarul Haq Chaudhary, Shaista Khan, Syed Naveed Qamar, Asad Alam Niazi, Salahuddin Junejo, Shahid Ahmad, and Shazia Marri (as Special Invitee).
Senior officials present included Momin Agha, secretary Petroleum Division; Mahfooz Bhatti, additional secretary (Power Division); Jam Muhammad Aslam, additional draftsman/joint secretary Ministry of Law and Justice along with other senior officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Industrial, agricultural consumers: Govt working on ‘surplus power package' proposal: minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the government is working on a proposal for a 'Surplus Power Package' for industrial and agricultural consumers, in line with the 'Bijli Sahulat Package' for the next three years. Speaking during the question hour in the National Assembly on Monday, the minister said the proposed package would be available to all industries, including the export sector, based on incremental power consumption. He said the Energy Ministry is developing a plan to offer discounted electricity rates on additional usage. Greenfield industries—such as data centers and crypto-mining operations—may receive these discounted rates on their entire consumption, subject to certain conditions. Responding to a supplementary question, Leghari said the government is also working on a direct subsidy scheme to end cross-subsidies, which place a burden on domestic consumers. In a written reply, the minister informed the house that as of May 2025, the circular debt in the power sector stood at Rs2.47 trillion. He said the main causes of debt accumulation were inefficiencies in distribution companies (DISCOs), high technical losses, and revenue recovery shortfalls compared to targets set by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). He said that other sources of debt increase include unbudgeted subsidies and financial cost (delayed payment charges) of payables to the power producers. He said that in order to reduce debt stock, an amount of Rs1.275 trillion is being arranged to finance/refinance the current stock of circular debt. He said that the loan will have a six-year tenure at an interest rate of 3-month KIBOR minus 0.9 per cent and will be repaid through the Debt Service Surcharge already collected from electricity consumers in their monthly bills as the Financial Cost Surcharge (FCS). To prevent fresh accumulation of debt, the minister said multiple measures are underway, including tariff renegotiations with independent power producers (IPPs), privatization of four DISCOs, reducing technical losses through efficiency improvements, market liberalisation, and ensuring future capacity additions are made on a least-cost basis. Responding to a calling-attention notice, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the National Disaster Management Authority, in coordination with provincial authorities, regularly runs public awareness campaigns and issues timely updates, forecasts, and precautionary measures on weather conditions, rainfall, floods, and other natural disasters. Later, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal and provincial governments to take necessary steps to celebrate the 1,500th Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) in a befitting manner. The resolution, moved by Pir Syed Fazal Ali Shah Jillani, called for organising Milad programmes at the highest level and illuminating both government and private buildings. It emphasised the importance of promoting the teachings of the holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe WaAlayhee Wassallam, Khatim-un-Nabiyeen. In connection with National Minorities Day, the House also passed another resolution moved by Naveed Aamir Jeeva. The resolution is calling for the inclusion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's historic address, delivered on 11 August 1947 to the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, into the national curriculum. In that address, the founder of Pakistan declared that 'you are free to go to your temples, mosques, or any other places of worship in this country. You may belong to any religion, caste, or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Govt mulling tabling 27th amendment bill: PTI
ISLAMABAD: PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser on Sunday addressed rumours of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, stating that the party would approach the legal fraternity regarding the potential legislation. After passing the 26th Constitutional Amendment last year, the government had been planning to table another amendment, colloquially known as the 27th Amendment, aimed at reforming local governments and 'addressing issues skipped in previous legislation'. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, the PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker stated that there is 'new drama' surrounding the legislation. Joint session approves 4 bills amid PTI protest 'In this case, we will approach the lawyers' community regarding this legislation,' Qaiser said. 'We will begin by meeting with the Islamabad Bar this month.' Referring to a 'schedule of activities' for this month, Qaiser said that the PTI will also arrange an engagement with foreign diplomats and embassies, as well as a seminar. The PTI leader also assailed the manner in which the country is being governed, branding it 'illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic'. 'The country is practically under martial law and decisions are being made based on personal preferences,' Qaiser stated. 'The country cannot be run under this hybrid system we have right now. 'We have decided that we will use all available forums — parliament, the courts, the public — to take our struggle against injustice and oppression forward.' PTI Leader Asad Qaiser Addresses Rumors of 27th Constitutional Amendment Asad Qaiser, a senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, announced on Sunday that the party will consult with the legal community regarding the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. The amendment, which follows the 26th Constitutional Amendment passed last year, reportedly aims to reform local governments and address outstanding legislative issues. During a press conference in Islamabad, the former National Assembly speaker called the new legislation a 'drama' and outlined the PTI's plan of action. He stated that the party will meet with the Islamabad Bar this month as a first step. Qaiser also mentioned a series of upcoming activities for the month, including a seminar and an engagement with foreign diplomats and embassies. In his remarks, Qaiser was critical of the current government, calling it 'illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic.' He claimed that the country is essentially under martial law, with decisions being made based on personal whims rather than established procedures. He stated that the PTI will utilize all available platforms—parliament, the courts, and public forums—to oppose what he described as injustice and oppression. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
NA panel to probe Rs300bn sugar windfall
ISLAMABAD: With sugar prices hovering around Rs 200 per kilogram, a special National Assembly panel is poised to examine how policy gaps, export incentives, and industry manoeuvres have enabled mill owners to reap windfall profits estimated at Rs 300 billion—and whether a new tax can claw some of it back for consumer relief. The multi-party panel, led by PTI's Atif Khan, is scheduled to meet Monday (today) to probe what it calls the 'hidden beneficiaries' behind the sugar price spiral. The inquiry will look into years of cyclical price hikes, export-import swings, and the role of government deregulation. The push for accountability follows testimony from the Auditor General of Pakistan at a Public Accounts Committee meeting, confirming that sugar mill owners had benefitted massively from price fluctuations and export-friendly policies. Critics in parliament have gone further, branding the sugar industry a 'mafia' with disproportionate influence over policy. Tax on windfall profits of sugar millers being mulled Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, recently announced full deregulation of the sector — removing government control over prices, procurement, and supply. But while he vowed to act against hoarders and named certain mill owners on the Exit Control List (ECL), retail prices have continued to soar beyond agreed limits. A July 15, 2025 agreement between the government and Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) fixed the maximum ex-mill price at Rs 165/kg, allowing a monthly increase of Rs 2 until mid-October. Insiders say the Rs 2 increase was based on a 25% interest rate that has since dropped to 11%, making the agreed carrying cost — and thus the price escalation — unjustified. Ministries of Finance and Commerce reportedly resisted sugar exports over price concerns, but some mill groups withheld stock until export approvals to capitalise on higher global prices — reportedly Rs 30-40/kg more than domestic rates — while avoiding sales tax on exports. The government is now preparing to import 100,000 tons of sugar via the Trading Corporation of Pakistan by October to ease shortages. This follows a broken assurance from PSMA that prices would not exceed Rs 140/kg. Atif Khan's panel is now weighing a windfall tax similar to that imposed on banks, aiming to capture part of the extraordinary profits made by millers and channel them towards subsidising sugar for consumers. The move could mark the first serious fiscal pushback against a sector long accused of manipulating both the market and policy to its advantage. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025