ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee has sharply criticised several federal institutions for major governance lapses — from missing land files and suspicious property transfers at the Capital Development Authority (CDA), to limited enforcement capacity at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and weak action by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) against smuggling networks. The panel also highlighted the misuse of official titles and the worsening security climate in Quetta.
Chaired by Senator Waqar Mehdi, the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges reviewed a case involving a missing CDA file pertaining to a house in sector I-10/4. Senator Mehdi condemned the “careless” handling of official records and instructed the authority to expedite related court proceedings.
CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa informed the panel that the agency was digitising its land records and would comply with judicial directions. He added that corruption-linked cases had already been referred to the FIA.
Senators further grilled the CDA over a plot that had been transferred five times internally without any satisfactory justification. The committee was also told that farmhouses implicated in the inquiry were valued at approximately Rs1.5 billion each.
Reviewing the PTA’s compliance report, the authority said that an objectionable segment of a video targeting the Sindhi community had been removed by the uploader, eliminating grounds for a full channel ban under PECA. PTA reported identifying 23 URLs carrying the material, blocking 12, and forwarding the remainder to social media platforms for action. It reiterated that investigation and prosecution under PECA fall outside its jurisdiction.
Discussing the reshuffling of Customs officers in Balochistan, the FBR said the transfers were based on intelligence indicating officials’ involvement in aiding smuggling operations. It noted that transfers were the most viable administrative option in the absence of documentary proof required for disciplinary action.
The committee also reviewed complaints against former Planning Commission deputy chairman Dr Nadeem ul Haque, who continues to publish articles referencing his previous official roles despite a harassment penalty against him. Members described his conduct as “misleading” and urged media organisations to avoid carrying such content.
The panel was briefed on the kidnapping and murder of Musavir Khan Kakar, allegedly tied to a Rs700 million ransom demand from a jewellery trader. The child’s body was later recovered from a remote location.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating security situation in Quetta, Senator Mehdi said the committee would visit the city for in-person briefings. He reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to transparency and directed all departments to provide complete records.
