ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly outranked all other provincial assemblies in terms of legislation by passing a total of 188 bills during 2018-23, followed by Punjab Assembly  (180 bills), Sindh Assembly (149 bills) and Balochistan Assembly (96 bill).

Balochistan Assembly was the only provincial assembly to complete its five-year term until August 12, 2023, according to a brief comparative analysis of the performance of four Provincial Assemblies for the period (2018-2023) compiled by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT).

While the Provincial Assemblies of Punjab and KP were dissolved prematurely on January 14 and January 18, 2023 respectively, the Sindh Assembly too was dissolved just before the conclusion of its term on August 11, 2023, it added.

In terms of the status of transparency and access to information by four Provincial Assemblies, KP Assembly outranked all other Provincial Assemblies with a score of 8.5 out of 11, followed by the Punjab Assembly which ranked second with a score of 7 out of 11, Balochistan Assembly ranked third by securing 6.5 score out of 11 and Sindh Assembly ranked at last number with 5.5 score.

Out of the four Provincial Assemblies, only the Punjab Assembly had provided complete attendance records of Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) on its website.

Sindh Assembly outranked other three Provincial Assemblies in terms of sittings held during five-years of its term as it convened 326 sittings with an average of 65 sittings per year, followed by Punjab Assembly (274 sittings) with an average of 62 sittings per year,  KP Assembly (248  sittings) with an average of 56 sittings per year.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP): Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Thursday strongly denied the false propaganda circulating on social and national media, evidently aimed at maligning the organization and diverting attention from its actions against illegal and malicious activities of illegal smuggling of Iranian oil and use of flare gas.

In an official statement, a spokesperson emphasized that OGRA maintained a profound dedication to its core mission, which involved transparently regulating and overseeing Pakistan’s oil and gas sector with the highest standards of integrity and diligence.

The OGRA remains unwavering in efforts to ensure safety, compliance and fairness for all stakeholders and the nation.

He urged the public and media to seek accurate information and refrain from spreading harmful misinformation that could damage the reputation of an institution dedicated to safeguarding Pakistan’s energy consumers and promoting a responsible oil and gas sector.

The OGRA spokesperson expressed concern that a few self-proclaimed troublemakers are misleading the public with disinformation. He urged the media to verify OGRA’s stance before broadcasting or publishing news related to the oil and gas sector.

He emphasized that OGRA’s primary goals included promoting competition, encouraging private investment and ownership in the mid and downstream petroleum industry and safeguarding public interests through effective and efficient regulations.

He pointed out that OGRA was indirectly overseeing a significant portion, approximately one-third, of the government’s economy, with the Oil and Gas sector’s market share exceeding $25 billion annually.

He pledged to persist in fostering a secure, progressive and competitive oil and gas industry through close collaboration with all stakeholders. This commitment aims to protect the interests of the nation and maintain the trust of its citizens.