National Assembly of Pakistan – Page 3

March 14, 2023

Allottees of CDA Sector e-12 should be given plots soon Standing Assembly

Islamabad, March 14, 2023 (PPI-OT): Allottees of CDA Sector E-12 should be given plots soon. Majlis-e-Qaima was informed that it has been more than 35 years but CDA has not yet allotted plots in Sector E-12 to the allottees despite taking the amount of plots from former government employees. The CDA staff said that the development work was started in Sector E-12 in 2020, but the encroachment mafia has illegally occupied most of the land in the sector and they are not allowing the contractor to work.

Majlis-e-Qaima asked that if the occupation mafia was already occupying a place, how was the contract for the development of that place given? The Majlis-e-Qaima declared that in hindsight it appears that the CDA officers initially give the contract at cheap prices with collusion and then take the help of the illegal occupants on the development project.

By revising, the contract rates are increased and thus the interests of the public are harmed. Therefore, the Majlis-e-Qaima directed that the CDA should complete the development work of Sector E-12 as soon as possible and the plots should be handed over to the allottees as soon as possible.

Majlis-e-Qaima was informed that police, PTV and Radio Pakistan and some other institutions have not yet paid the honorarium of the budget 2022-23 to some of their employees. The representative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that the Press Information Department has given the award.

However, PTV has not given the honorarium yet. Because their lists are being sent to the Ministry of Finance who will release the funds. Majlis-e-Qaima, while reacting strongly, directed that PTV should pay honorarium to the relevant employees from its personal resources. Also, the Majlis-e-Qaima to implement the payment of honorarium and the performance of the CDA, especially the Parliament Lodges.

A four-member sub-committee headed by Hon’ble Syed Javed Hasnain Shah, MNA, has been formed to review sanitation and construction and repair. While in the sub-committee, Honorable Syed Javed Ali Shah Jilani, MNA, Honorable Shaghfat Jamani, MNA and Honorable Saira Bano, MNA will be included as members.

The meeting was presided over by Chairman Mr. Mohammad Afzal Khokhar, while the members of the Standing Committee for Government Assurances were Mr. Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani, Mr. Usman Ibrahim, Mr. Syed Javed Hasnain, Mr. Syed Javed Ali Shah Jilani, Ms. Shagufat Jamani, and Ms. Shahnaz.

Apart from Naseer Baloch and Ms. Saira Bano, others participated. Senior civil officers of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, CDA, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other institutions also participated in the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

March 13, 2023

Youth in Pakistan; sure recipe for bright future of country says MNA/SAPM Romina Khursheed Alam

Islamabad, March 13, 2023 (PPI-OT): Ms Romina Khursheed Alam stressed on youth to keep struggling for making and achieving high goals which can lead the country on the path of progress and development. She also expressed her hope that youth of the country would continue to play proactive role for development of democracy and progress of country.

She also emphasized on Youth to keep themselves abreast about fundamentals of Constitution and basic functions of parliaments. She also advised youth not to be victim of disinformation and propaganda. She also said that Pakistani parliament is green Parliament, it is one of fourth which has Children Caucus in parliament and only Parliament which has parliamentary task force on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She expressed these views while addressing as Chief guest at seminar on Commonwealth Day, 2023 “Forgoing a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future” in Islamabad today. MNA / Convener Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights Mehnaz Akbar Aziz said that peace in society is interlinked with proactive role of Youth in every social affair.

She also said that young generation should realize about importance of clarity of objectives and should work hard to achieve these goals. While emphasizing the importance of working for nation, she said that youth in Pakistan has all the potential to change the fate of nation.

On the occasion, Mr. Syed Shamoon Hashmi Additional Secretary (SI) also addressed the participants. He said, “youth need to realise their potential and serve nation wholeheartedly.” He also said that youth in Pakistan must dissociate themselves from propaganda and war of disinformation. He also said that the role of academia and Intelligentia is pivotal for progress of country. The seminar was attended by large number of Intelligentia and students from across the country.

March 10, 2023

Special committee on Balochistan was held today under the acting chairmanship of Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, MNA

Islamabad, March 10, 2023 (PPI-OT): 3rd meeting of the Special Committee on Balochistan was held today under the Acting Chairmanship of Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, MNA, in the Constitution Room, 2nd floor, Parliament House.

2. The meeting commenced with recitation from the Holy Quran. In the meeting, the Committee identified the various important issues in Balochistan and their resolution, accordingly. The Committee approved the Terms of Reference for the Committee including:

1). To ensure 6% provincial quota for jobs;

2). Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons;

3). Provision of data of displaced persons since 2005;

4). registration and repatriation of Afghan refugees:

5). rehabilitation of persons displaced due to recent floods;

6). resolution of the issues of third-party employees working with PPL, OGDCL, SNGPL, SSGCL;

7). release of outstanding lease payments by OGDCL;

8). ensure supply of gas within 5 kilometres radius of the Sui Gas Field by PPL and SNGCL;

9). implementation of Oil and Gas Companies policies regarding facilitation of locals of Jhal Magsi;

10). Demarcation of the area of Kacchi canal.

3. The issue of higher education in Balochistan was also discussed, in this connection the Committee decided to invite the representatives from the Higher Education Commission, in the next meeting, to brief upon the data of students from Balochistan who have availed national and international scholarships.

Honourable Members Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi, Mr. Usama Qadri, Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari, Ms. Aliya Kamran, Mr. Ramesh Lal, and Prof. Dr. Shahnaz Baloch, MNAs attended the meeting.

March 9, 2023

Meeting of the advisory committee on celebration of golden jubilee of constitution tracks progress of preparations

Islamabad, March 09, 2023 (PPI-OT): A meeting of the Advisory Committee of Parliament to oversee preparations of Golden Jubilee of 1973 Constitution was held at the Parliament House under the Convenership of Mian Raza Rabbani. The committee took pertinent decisions to finalise the preparations for observing the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of Pakistan. Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar assured the Committee of full support and facilitation from the government departments.

Member Advisory Committee former Senator Farhat Ullah Babar stressed that the role of media to raise awareness about the celebrations will be critical. He added that clear directions should be outlined for all government departments to facilitate these preparations.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb informed the Committee that the ministry will take the lead role in executing a robust media campaign which will begin from 10th March 2023.

MNA Mehnaz Akbar Aziz acknowledged the progress of the committee and suggested the compilation of a booklet on the Constitution for children. MNA Asiya Azeem said that programs should be telecasted frequently on television to create awareness about fundamental rights ensured by the Constitution.

The Committee under the Convenership of Mian Raza Rabbani decided to hold more frequent meetings of the Committee. The Committee also delegated tasks related to Golden Jubilee celebrations to members of the Committee.

March 9, 2023

MS. Javeria Zafar Aheer, MNA/Chairperson standing committee on information and broadcasting met with the H۔E Mr. Andrei Metelitsa, the ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan

Islamabad, March 09, 2023 (PPI-OT): Ms. Javeria Zafar Aheer, MNA/Chairperson Standing Committee on Information and broadcasting met with the H۔E Mr. Andrei Metelitsa, the Ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan. She said that Pakistan highly values its relations with the Republic of Belarus. Pakistan-Belarus relations are built on the basis of mutual respect and trust. This mutually beneficial cooperation has continuously forged forward with new achievements.

While reviewing the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, Ms. Javeria underlined the importance of further deepening of political, trade and economic ties, inter-parliamentary linkages and enhancing cultural and educational relations. Discussion between the two sides were focused on the whole range of bilateral and trade relations.

Discussion ended with both sides agreeing to hold the next meeting of the Ambassador of Belarus with the Pakistan-Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Group and later a virtual meeting between both Parliamentary Friendship Groups at convenient dates.

March 8, 2023

Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division meets

Islamabad, March 08, 2023 (PPI-OT): 9th meeting of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division was held today under the Chairmanship of Mian Najeeb ud Din Awaisi, MNA, in Committee Room of Economic Affairs Division (EAD), C Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad.

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by briefings and thorough discussions upon the critical matters relating to the Jamshoro Power Generation Project, the Right Bank Outfall Drain II project and the issues pertaining to the Three Years’ Agreement with Saudi Arabia for the purchase of oil.

The Committee discussed the challenges pertaining to the completion of Lot II of the Jamshoro Power Generation Project, especially with regards to the re-appropriation of the loans to finance the project. It was mentioned that due to the rejection of the project by the Integrated Generation Capacity Enhancement (IGCEP) earlier, due to which, the funds from the Islamic Development Bank as well as OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) had been re-appropriated towards the constructed of the Mohmand Dam. The representative explained further that in 2018, the IGCEP system marked the project approved based on its feasibility by 2027, thus, funds are now required to finance Lot II.

The Committee also questioned the representatives from the Ministry upon the prospects of feasibility of coal extraction and usage from the Lakhrah coal field. The Committee was briefed upon the progress in the Right Bank Outfall Drain II (RBOD II) project. The Committee demanded clarity upon the purpose of the project, which the representative from the Irrigation Department of the Government of Sindh defined as drainage of irrigation water, with the capacity of the system standing at 3500 cusecs.

The Committee also desired update upon the trail case for mis-appropriation of funds designated for the RBOD II project, which is on-going in the National Accountability Bureau. The Committee was briefed upon the issues pertaining to the Three Years’ Agreement with Saudi Arabia for the purchase of oil. The representative from the Ministry of Energy, Power Division informed the Committee that Pak-Arab Refinery Limited and the National Refinery Limited refine the crude oil purchased from Aramco and that this agreement allows for deferred payments against crude oil purchases.

The Committee questioned the Ministry on whether an agreement was possible when the oil prices went negative during COVID times, to which the Ministry responded that such an agreement was not possible due to storage costs and the uncertainty associated with COVID. The Committee also discussed the prospects of oil trade between Pakistan and Russia and upon the possibility of oil imports from Iraq in return of wheat and rice. Honourable Members Syed Javed Hasnain, Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Mr. Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, Prof. Dr. Shahnaz Baloch and Mr. Salahuddin, MNAs attended the meeting.

For more information, contact:

Secretary,

National Assembly of Pakistan

Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,

Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9221082-83

Fax: +92-51-9221106

Email: assembly@na.gov.pk

Website: www.na.gov.pk

March 5, 2023March 8, 2023

NA Standing Committee on Board of Investment meets

Islamabad, March 08, 2023 (PPI-OT): The Standing Committee on Board of Investment (BOI) met in Parliament House, Islamabad this morning under the Chairmanship of Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, MNA to discuss the achievements and future goals of Board of Investment.

The Committee highly appreciated the establishment of One Step Service, Law for provision of services to Special Economic Zones (SEZ) investors by Board of Investment (BOI) duly forwarded for the approval of Cabinet. The Committee recommended that BOI may implement the said policy after the approval of Cabinet in favour of SEZs investors and give the all types of facilitation as it had been observed that the investors were facing a lot of issues relating to investment as well.

The Committee also appreciated the effort of the management of Board of Investment (BOI) and recommended that BOI may take stringent measures to encourage the investors to invest in Pakistan and facilitate them at every forum. The Committee also recommended that BOI may develop proper liaison with Provincial governments to encourage the Investors to invest in Pakistan through digital marketing/seminars.

Secretary, Board of Investment (BOI) briefly apprised the Committee about the efforts made by them to bring benefits of their policies at gross root level by easing the procedural complications for small and medium businessmen and problems faced by them in this regard.

The meeting was attended by Ch. Iftikhar Nazeer, MNA, Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, MNA, Ms. Shams UN Nisa, MNA, Ms. Musarrat Rafique Mahesar, MNA, Ms. Shahida Akhtar Ali, MNA, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, MNA, Ms. Nuzhat Pathan, and MNA, Ms. Asiya Azeem, MNA and senior officers of the concerned Board.