Islamabad, January 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs held today in Parliament Lodges under chairmanship of Senator Sassui Palijo. The meeting was attended by Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senator Khanzada Khan, Senator Dr. Sikandar Mandhro, Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi and Minister Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary Board of Investment and other Senior Officer of Parliamentary Affairs.
The committee discussed Private members Bill moved by Senator Sherry Rehman on foreign private investment (promotion and Protection) (Amendment) Bill 2019 and the Board of Investment (Amendment) Bill 2018, stoppage of funds of the National Institute of Blood Diseases, consideration of report of low percentage of cases received in Prime Minister’s Public Affairs and Grievances Wing and Public Petition of Malik Haroon Ramzan.
While considering Private Members Bill moved by Senator Sherry Rehman. She was of the opinion that 60% of local labour must be accommodated in different foreign investment projects in the county. She stressed the need for data collection in this regard as it would facilitate labour to find employment. She further stated that different countries have legislated to indulge 80% of local labour in foreign investment projects.
Chairperson Sasui Palijo said that it is a highly important bill and the time has come to introduce strong legislation to provide opportunities in employment to investment projects. She asserted that this bill was unanimously agreed in the House and would provide ample opportunity for local labour to find jobs in foreign based investment projects. She said that this is the right of the people of Pakistan and the Parliament has to deliver.
Senator Sikandar Mandhro and Senator Mir Yousuf Badini said that this issue has been neglected for long in various sectors including the exploration segment and must be addressed urgently for the betterment of the common people. Minister Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan informed the Committee that it is imperative to prepare skilled labour and the Prime Minister is incessantly trying to bring foreign investment in the country.
Secretary Board of Investment said that it would be appropriate to get suggestions from relevant ministries such as Textile, Industries, Education, statistics etc, so that a draft be prepared to benefit a huge proportion of the labour force in the country. Upon this Chairperson Committee, Senator Sassui Palijo recommended that the Chairman Board of Investment should brief the Committee in the next meeting and members of the Committee may suggest some proposals in this regards.
Considering the Point of Public Importance regarding stoppage of funds for the National Institute of Blood Diseases, Senator Dr. Sikandar Mandhro said that funds for the treatment of poor patients suffering from Blood Cancer and Bone Marrow have been stopped.
Minister Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan informed the Committee that this matter has been discussed in the Cabinet meeting and Minister Finance has ensured that a supplementary grant will be provided to Pakistan Baitul Maal for the treatment of said patients.
While deliberating over the report regarding low number of cases being received by the Prime Minister’s Public Affairs and Grievances Wing from KPK and Balochistan, Minister Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan informed the Committee that a team at the Prime Minister’s Office is dealing with such cases on a daily basis. He said that he personally visited 10 districts of Punjab and KPK to sort out problems of common people and he will be visiting Balochistan soon in this regard.
While discussing the Public Petition of Malik Haroon Ramazan, Secretary BOI told the Committee that this is a provincial issue and only a representative from the Punjab Government provide complete details matter. It was informed by Punjab government officer without infrastructure electricity, Gas Sewerage etc in the village special Economic Zone can not be established over there. Members of the committee decided that this matter must be discussed in the presence of the petitioner.
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