ISLAMABAD:The National Assembly, which resumed its session here at the parliament house on Thursday with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair was informed that poverty alleviation coordination council is being established to synergize the efforts of various organizations for poverty alleviation.
Minister for Planning and Development Makhdoom Khurso Bukhtiar told the house during question hour that the scope of Benazir Income Support Program, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and Pakistan Baitul Mal are being expanded to graduate the poor people out of poverty.
He said our efforts are to divert resources to the development of less developed areas. He said we are expanding coverage of health insurance scheme and up-scaling efforts to reduce stunted growth of children.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the House that Islamabad Food Security Act has been prepared which envisages the establishment of Islamabad Food Authority to check food adulteration.
He said a plan is under consideration to reduce passport fee especially for those visiting Saudi Arabia, UAE and Malaysia for jobs.
The Minister of State said that 559 NADRA centers are functional in the country and nineteen more centers are being established in different areas in order to ensure that the people can get CNICs without any hassle.
Responding to a question, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said the murder of SP Tahir Dawar in Afghanistan was a national tragedy and his assassination will be nabbed.
He said a joint investigation team is investigating into the murder and its finding will be shared with the House. He said the back of terrorists has been broken as a result of joint efforts by the Armed forces and the government.
Responding to the points of PPP Leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Syed Khurshid Shah, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said all the standing committees will be formed during the current session of the Lower House.
He said the government and opposition parties amicably resolved the matter of the appointment of Chairman Public Accounts Committee. He said the process of legislation will also kick start following the establishment of Standing Committees.
About the Committee formed for investigation into alleged rigging into 2018 election, the Minister assured the House that the proceedings of this Committee will also be taken ahead. He said that the issue of rigging, wherever it happened, should be probed.
He said the committee will soon start its work and members both from the Treasury and the Opposition benches will have to play their part in it.
Responding to the points of PPP Leader Shazia Marri, Minister of State for Revenue Hamad Azhar said government believes in devolution of powers to the provinces but it also put additional responsibility on them to deliver in different sectors.
He said we are committed to the new National Finance Commission Award and this is the reason that we wrote letters to all the provinces on the matter soon after assuming the office.
He said that the Federal Government has given its share of funds for the K-IV water project in Karachi. However, the seven billion rupees of the federal government are lying un-utilized.