ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif Tuesday apprised the National Assembly that only administrative control of various regulatory authorities had been given to the respective ministries while the regulatory power would remain with the regulators.
Responding to a point raised by Pakistan Peoples Party’s parliamentary leader Syed Naveed Qamar, the minister said the regulators were earlier under the Cabinet Division which was also under the government control. If the government had any intention to influence the regulators, it could do so through the Cabinet Division, he added.
Asif said some amendments were proposed in the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority Ordinance Act, which, however, would be done in consultation with all the provinces and through the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
He said the consultation process with the provinces would be completed till December 31 and the amendments would be part of the agenda of next CCI meeting.
Earlier, Syed Naveed Qamar on the point of order said transferring regulators under the respective ministries was tantamount to curb their regulatory powers.
