ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Secretary for Textile Aliya Hamza Malik told the National Assembly on Thursday that the present government has expedited work on the establishment of industrial zones in the country.
She said our government is giving special emphasis to bolstering exports. She said the exports have already witnessed an increase as a result of which the trade deficit has also come down.
Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema told the house that work on a number of housing projects is underway under Naya Pakistan Housing Programme. He said an allocation of five billion rupees as interest free loan has been made which will be utilized for low cost housing.
He said the federal government employees will be accommodated in these housing schemes.
Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said Pakistan Railways has earned profit of four billion rupees on passenger trains. He said Pakistan Railways plans to induct new passenger coaches. He said there is also plan to indigenously build the coaches through a joint venture.
Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri told the house that Saudi Arabia has waived 2000 Riyal fee on Pakistanis performing more than one Umrah within two years.
Parliamentary Secretary for Food Muhammad Ameer Sultan said that aerial sprays have been carried in Karachi to control the locusts. The chair also directed the federal government to fully assist the Sindh government in controlling the locusts in Karachi.
Two bills were laid before the house. These included: Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Interest on Private Loans Bill, 2019 and The Control of Narcotics Substances Amendment Bill, 2019.
Responding to the points of PML (N) leader Khawaja Asif, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed regretted that the PML (N) is doing politics on the health of Nawaz Sharif. He said the Prime Minister has stopped the cabinet members from issuing any negative statement on the health of Nawaz Sharif.
He pointed out that former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other members of Sharif family are absconders in different cases. He said it is commitment of the PTI government to build a welfare state where rich and poor lot is equal before the law.
He said Pakistan is changing under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said the economy is achieving stability and record positive sentiments are being witnessed in the stock market. Exports have risen whilst imports have been cut.
The Minister said it is because of Imran Khan’s efforts that 4687 prisoners were released from foreign prisons over the last one year. He said we also saved 1.2 billion dollars in Karkey rental power case whilst the nation will also soon hear good news regarding the Reko Diq case. The House will now meet tomorrow (Friday) at 10:30 am.