Tag: Senate of Pakistan

Islamabad, August 09, 2019 (PPI-OT):Senate Sub-Committee on National Health Services in its meeting discussed the report by the Health Ministry and PM and DC on the reservations raised by members of the Committee regarding PM and DC Ordinance, 2019 according to which it should be presented in the Parliament in the form of Act and amendment proposed by members should be incorporated in the said Act, also details of appointments. Postings and transfers criteria being observed by the council time to time for its officials and procedure being adopted for the appointment of members of the Council as well as the Registrar and other administrative staff.

The meeting was held under the Convener-ship of Senator Dr. Ashok Kumar at the Parliament House on Friday and was attended among others by Senators Dr. Asad Ashraf, Muhammad Javed Abbasi and Dr. Ghous Muhammad Niazi Director Regulations, Registrar PMDC and other officials.

Committee while taking serious notice on the issue of the Ordinance of PM and DC said there should be no Ordinance that would loss or damaged the doctors and students across the country and affects the Degrees and credibility of the institution. Senator Javed Abbasi highlighted the significance and consequences of PM and DC Ordinance. He said it’s clearly written the word “Fraud with the Constitution” in the Supreme Court verdict; however Committee unanimously rejected this Ordinance, which was passed un-constituently. Convener of the committee directed the officials concerned to redraft the Ordinance and assures committees’ support and help in this regard.

While discussing the matter of appointments, posting and transfer criteria, committee shows its deep concerns on the appointment of the Registrar, and said this appointment raises many questions on the recruitment process which seems to be ambiguous. Convener of the Committee said, students from Province Sindh and Balochistan are suffering for their entry tests and admissions due to wrong policies of the institution.

Committee directed the PM and DC officials to provide the Draft of the Admission Policy, list of recognised colleges/universities and Recruitments Criteria before the Committee in its next meeting which is scheduled to be held on 19th August 2019. The Committee was told that, the issue was resolved from the students who were on strike in Balochistan province and hence the matter will be resolved by September.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 09, 2019 (PPI-OT): Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani in consultation with Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition in Senate has decided to send special delegations for highlighting the situation arising due to changes in the constitutional status of Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) and will apprise the World about atrocities and human rights violations by the Indian occupied forces. The delegations would visit USA, Russia, Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), European Union and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Former Chairman Senate Senator Farooq H. Naek would lead the delegation to USA. Senators Nauman Wazir Khattak and Anwar ul Kakar will accompany him during the visit. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif will head the three member delegation to Russian comprising of Senators Sassui Palijo and Dr. Shehzad Waseem. Senators Agha Shahzaib Durrani and Gianchand will be the part of delegation led by Senator Mohsin Aziz to interact with the leadership of the IPU.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed would lead the Senate delegation comprising of Senators Walid Iqbal, Hilal ur Rehman and Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti to European Union, while Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq will head the delegation meant for OIC. Senators Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Siraj ul Haq and Hafiz Abdul Karim will be the part of the delegation. The schedule for visits is being prepared.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 08, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Standing Committee on Interior, in a meeting on Thursday, unanimously passed resolution condemning India’s illegal move of altering the disputed status of India Occupied Kashmir (IOK). In his opening remarks, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator A. Rehman Malik said PM Narendra Modi’s actions against the innocent and armless people in occupied Kashmir were tantamount to “war crimes’’ therefore he urges the government of Pakistan to go in International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Narendra Modi for crimes against humanity. He said that Indian Forces under Prime Minister Modi had already crossed all limits of humanity by violating the human rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

He said that by annulling the disputed status of Indian Occupied Kashmir, PM Narendra Modi has violated the UNSC resolutions and international laws of which his country is a member. He said that the deployment of extra forces and the use of cluster ammunition to target the civilian population was violation of the Geneva Convention and international human rights laws. He said ”By all such moves, Narendra Modi wants to change the demography of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) and convert the Muslim majority into minority”. He said that Modi is a butcher of Gujrat, a terrorist, a financer and protector of fugitive who was among the top ten on terrorists list.

Senator Rehman Malik presented the resolution which was unanimously passed by the committee. He read the resolution as. The Senate Standing Committee on Interior condemns the illegal and immoral act of altering the disputed status of IOK by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government which is a sheer violation of the UNSC Resolutions on Kashmir. India as a Member of United Nations was not entitled to bring such legislation and UNO must take a serious notice of this illegal and immoral action of Indian government, immediately.

The Committee urges that the Government of Pakistan should go to International Court of Justice highlighting the violations of human rights, brutalities, atrocities and genocide of Muslims population in Kashmir and it is a fit case for Indian Prime Minister Modi to be tried as a War Criminal of the mass killing by the Indian Army troops duly backed by the anti-Kashmiri policies of PM Modi.

The Committee also condemns the alarming increase in indiscriminate and unprovoked cross-border firing and cluster bombing on innocent civilians by the Indian Forces at the LOC. Pakistan is passing through the most sensitive and crucial times and the Parliament and the people of Pakistan stand with Kashmiris in their legitimate freedom struggle and we are proud of Pak Army who is defending the motherland with their professional excellence in the present circumstances”.

The committee members strongly urged the government of Pakistan to go to the International Court of Justice against India and also highlight the violation of human rights, brutalities, atrocities and genocide of the Muslim population in Kashmir world by sending delegations to different countries. The committee stated that it was a fit case for PM Narendra Modi to be tried as a war criminal of the mass killing by the Indian Army troops backed by the anti-Kashmir policies of PM Modi.

Senator A. Rehman Malik said that Pakistan is passing through the most sensitive and crucial times of its history and the Parliament and the people of Pakistan firmly stand with the people of Kashmir in their legitimate freedom struggle. He said that the committee strongly commend the efforts and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and the entire nation stands beside armed forces. He said that the Committee would arrange a visit of the Line of Control (LoC) so that each member could show their solidarity with the brave soldiers of Pakistan Armed Forces.

While taking up the issue of the amount allocated and released for Frontier Constabulary (FC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the current fiscal year and the non-payment of salaries to 1597 personnel, The Committee was informed that PKR 1000 billion was to be paid in 3 month in salaries. Chairman Committee directed Secretary Interior that payment of salaries be made to affected FC personnel immediately. He said that FC KP sacrifices and efforts in marinating peace are highly commendable and it is unfair that their personnel are not getting their due salaries.

Considering the point of Public Importance regarding ban imposed by CDA on utility connections in rural areas of ICT, the Committee was informed that regulations are being finalized for all such areas. Chairman Committee, Senator Abdul Rehman Malik suspended further discussion on this agenda item until regulations were in place. He directed the CDA to complete all policy-making within two months.

Taking up suo moto notice regarding sale of dead chicken and animals in Islamabad, the Committee was informed there was a slight hitch in starting a slaughter house in Islamabad as this would come under MC Administration. The Committee Chairman Senator A. Rehman Malik directed Chairman CDA to construct a slaughter house as soon as possible and hand it over to Municipal Corporation Administration (MCA) to run. The Committee was informed that the Islamabad Food Authority is in the process of finalization and the committee directions in this regard will be helpful to start the construction of slaughter house in Islamabad.

While taking up the issue of imposition of condition of CNIC on purchases over PKR 50000, Chairman Committee, Senator Abdul Rehman Malik directed that Chairman FBR be summoned in the next meeting to discuss details. The Committee recommended that the limit of purchase be increased from 50000 to 300000 and there should be relaxation for females in providing their CNIC.

Chaired by Senator Abdul Rehman Malik, the meeting was attended by Senator Kalsoom Parveen, Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Senator Asad Ali Khan Junejo, Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, Senator Behramand Tangi, Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem and senior officers from the Ministry of Interior, CDA along with all concerned. Minister for Interior, Mr. Ijaz Ahmed Shah was also present.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 08, 2019 (PPI-OT): Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile in its meeting has unanimously passed a resolution condemning the long-standing and the most escalation genocide in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, as a gross violation of all UN and international conventions on Human Rights. The Committee through the resolution urged the international community in general, and the global leadership in particular to take strict notice of the sustained killing, rape and arson across the Indian Occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with particular focus on the recent use of cluster bombs along the LOC.

The resolution also reaffirmed its unconditional support for the Kashmiri people and condemned the move by India to unilaterally alter the special status of Kashmir. It wholeheartedly supported the decision of the government of Pakistan to suspend all bilateral trade and commercial activities with India, and invest the committee’s confidence in any such decisions by Pakistan in support of the innocent victims of the held-Kashmir. The Committee stressed upon the member nations of the UN to declare India as a rogue member whose intentions indicate that it does not stand for regional stability and world peace, which goes against the very charter of the UN.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi here at the Parliament House on Thursday and was attended among others by Senators Aurangzeb Khan, Nauman Wazir Khattak and officials from the ministry. The meeting was given a briefing on order worth 1 Billion US$ received from China for import of sugar, yarn and rice. Members of the Committee were of the view that whenever those in position of policy decisions are in consultations with foreign delegations on the matters of exports and imports or trade any and all commitments they make should be based on informed opinion and they should not give statements off the cuff and should give consideration to consulting the stakeholders first. The Committee was told that there is no hiccup in export office and sugar but some problems are being faced in yarn export.

The Committee also strongly recommended conducted a thorough study as to what are Pakistan’s requirements from our Free Trade Agreements, which countries fulfil our requirements best and then sign FTAs with those countries.

The Committee was also given a briefing on the draft e-commerce policy of Pakistan which is aimed at making payment settlements for small entrepreneurs of the country. The meeting was told that freelancers working in different parts of the country and providing services to clients globally are facing issues in receiving their payments against their work because there is no registered e-commerce mechanism. This policy framework will serve the purpose and a close coordination with Pakistan Post will take it beyond just payments but will process delivery of orders as well. E-commerce while on hand will make business and transactions easy will also help in documentation of data and digitisation of economy.

The Committee while holding a briefing on trade with Afghanistan was told that Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Afghanistan in 2013-14 was of 2119.22 million US$ but today it has reduced to 1879.68 million US$. Our exports in 2013-14 was 1760.17 million US$ and in 2018-19 it is 1322 million US$ with imports increasing to 557.68 million US$ in 2018-19 from 359.05 million US$ in 2013-14. The meeting was told that in sugar, sugar confectionaries, exports to Afghanistan have increased but in cement, rice, animal vegetable fats, citrus fruit, potatoes, rods, exports have declined. The Committee noted that documentation of data is important for this reason because it shows us the changing patterns of the world which is important in today’s competitive market to see what improvements and changes are needed in your products to hold on to a market.

Regarding wire saw cutting project in Buner by TDAP with PASDEC, the Committee was told that an amount of 5 crores was given to PASDEC for the project and the remaining 6 crore 66 lacs was made conditional with proper detail of how the previous money was utilised. However, the officials from PASDEC could not give a satisfactory response as to what has been the efficiency of the work if conducted any. The Committee sought details of PC-1,2,3,4 and all the requisite information on the said project along with audit of the funds by the next meeting.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 08, 2019 (PPI-OT): The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahai at the Parliament Lodges on Thursday and was attended among others by Senators Anwar Lal Dean, Brig. ® John Kenneth Williams, Khanzada Khan, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Lt. General ® Salahuddin Tirmizi Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema, Secretary H and W Dr. Imran, DG FGEHA and other officials of the ministry.

Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works in its meeting was given a comprehensive briefing by the Ministry regarding the status of FGEHF Housing Scheme in Bhara Kahu and future plan of action by the FGEHA to speed up the said Housing Scheme also discussed the Starred Question raised by Senator Behramand Tangi regarding the possession of plots to the allottees in sub-sector 2 and 3 of Sector G14, Islamabad.

Committee was told that instructions given by the Committee have been added in Master Plan of the said scheme. DG FGEHA briefed the committee and said, this project has delayed due to Supreme Court and later NAB suo-motos. However with the approval of the Executive Committee’s 151th meeting held on 6-4-18 the Housing Foundation withdrew pay-order of 686 million rupees from NAB and released 120 million to M/s Green Tree from it. Initially, M/s Green Tree provided approved layout plan consisting of 3244 plots. Later on, in order to determine the actual numbers of plot, services of M/s NESPAK were obtained.

M/s NESPAK after detailed survey submitted a report and identified that 700 Kanal hilly areas is not feasible for construction. Further, as per amendment made by CDA in its regulations, the green area was required to be increased from 8 to 15%. Hence in order to get 3268 plots available, 222 more kanals was required and provided by M/s Green Tree to make for deficient land. M/s Green Tree also prepared a construction agreement on prevailing rates as decided by the Executive Committee on its 156th meeting submitted its cost estimates which have been vetted by M/s NESPAK. Thereafter, 158th meeting of Executive Committee it was decided that Housing Foundation may go ahead towards singing of Construction Agreement and accordingly a letter to mobilize at site has been issued. M/s Green has started development work.

Responding to a question raised by Chairman Committee D.G FGEHA said, price of the plots have now increased from 3 million to 4.4 million (approx) and 2200 plots from 3300 have been allotted. Senator Mirza Afridi asked how many funds have been received so far in the purchase of plot? Secretary H and W responded, committee will be informed about the details in next meeting. Committee directed the Secretary H and W to share the Allottees detail so the matter can be made more transparent.

Briefing on the issue of Starred Question raised by Senator Behramand Tangi regarding the possession of plots have been given to the allottees in sub-sector 2 and 3 of Sector G14, Islamabad, committee was told, the matter is in the final stages and committee will be informed about it soon. Committee after detailed briefing decided to Site Visit of Bhara Kahu Housing Scheme after Eid Holidays and Ground Facts will be reviewed.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 05, 2019 (PPI-OT): Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has, in a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Bin Saad Al-Maliki, discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and other important regional and international issues. The Saudi Ambassador felicitated the Chairman Senate on his success during the process of the no-confidence motion against him in the Upper House of the Parliament. Chairman Senate remarked that the Upper House can play a vital role in enhancing the relationship between both countries and said that Pakistan highly regards its relationship with Saudi Arabia and intends to take it even further in all areas of cooperation.

Chairman Senate observed that there is vast potential of investment in Pakistan and Saudi investors and business can effectively utilize this opportunity. He also expressed his gratitude to Crown Prince on behalf of people of Pakistan and especially Balochistan for taking interest in investing in the country particularly in Balochistan.

Regarding the ongoing tensions in Indian Occupied Kashmir, Chairman Senate said that the ongoing Indian atrocities have exposed the true face of India and it is the collective responsibility of Muslim countries to raise their voice against inhumane Indian aggression. He stressed upon the need of raising the voice of innocent Kashmiris globally through OIC. He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always called for peaceful resolution of disputes at all international fora. The Ambassador agreed with the views of Chairman Senate and said that Pakistan is an important country in the region and negotiations are the only way out to solve disputes.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 05, 2019 (PPI-OT): Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has strongly condemned abolition of Article 370 of the Constitution of India by the Indian government and has said that Modi government’s move is synonymous with destroying the peace of region. He said that India through such actions is trying to become a dominating power in the country but it will never succeed.

The Chairman Senate remarked that instead of closing eyes on Indian atrocities and continuing double standards, international community should pressurize India to stop its atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir. He termed the abolition of Article 370 an open license to exploit Kashmiri people and said that this unilateral and unconstitutional step will destroy regional peace. He said that Pakistan will raise its voice against this move at all levels and will not let India transgress the rights of Kashmiri people.

Deputy Chairman Senate Senator Saleem Mandviwala also said that India by abolition of Articles 370 is trying to disturb the region’s peace. HE said that the people of Kashmir should be given the right of self-determination and international community needs to take notice of the situation. Leader of the House Senator Shibli Faraz also condemned the unilateral action of the Indian government and said that it is an attempt to undermine the development and prosperity of the region. He said that there are UN resolutions on the issue and international community needs to make note of the exploitation of the Kashmiri people. Leader of the Opposition Senator Raja Zafar ul Haq said that abolition if Article 370 is an example of worst form of legislative amendments and India through this is seeking to harm the peace of region.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk