REPORT NA SESSION 15 MARCH
IMP PROCEEDIN
NA
The National Assembly resumed its session in Islamabad today with Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi in the chair.
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NA-Questions
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Dr. Asim Hussain has said Pakistan plans to import five hundred mmcfd LNG from Qatar to meet its energy requirements.
He told the National Assembly during question hour that an agreement to this effect has been signed with Qatar. He said the price of LNG is yet to be decided between the two countries. However, it will be in accordance with prevailing international price in the region.
The Minister expressed the confidence that the supply of LNG from Qatar will be started within one and a half year.
About Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the Minister said that keeping in view the accrued benefit of the project every possible step is being taken for its fast track implementation. He said a contract has already been signed with an international consortium for timely financing of this important project.
He informed the House that eighty-five gas and oil wells have been drilled in the country during the last four years.
Dr. Asim Hussain told the House to a question that the circular debt of the Petroleum sector stands at 396 billion rupees. He said the government retired the debt of 130 billion rupees last month. He said a high level committee headed by the Finance Minister has been constituted to sort out the issue on permanent basis. He said Planning Division is moving a summary for rationalization of power tariff and removal subsidies.
About gas shortage, the Minister said that the installation of massive number of CNG stations have become a burden on the system. However, steps are being taken to provide gas to the domestic consumers on priority. He said the gas pressure situation will improve as soon as the temperature is normalized.
Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali said keeping in view the energy shortfall, work has been started on the manufacturing of solar energy gadgets including solar streets lights, water heaters and fans. He said National Institute of Electronics is also working on the design and development of LED lights to be illuminated through solar energy.
Minister for Defence Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar said that more aircraft will be inducted into the fleet of Pakistan International Airlines to avoid flights delay and provide better traveling facilities to the passengers. Besides, he said the government is encouraging the private airlines and licenses to them are issued to them within forty days.
Minister for Law Moula Bakhsh Chandio told the House that credible and error free electoral rolls are being prepared in collaboration with NADRA which will be used for the next general elections. He said the final electoral rolls are expected to be published by the end of May this year.
The Minister Eunuchs have been given the right to cast vote in the general elections. A total of 782 Eunuchs have so far been enrolled in the electoral rolls.
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NA-Questions-Two [Add appropriately]
Replying to a question, the Minister said the government has finalized the new petroleum policy to expedite oil and gas exploration. He said under this policy licenses will be issued for drilling of 150 blocks.
He said the government is committed to Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and work on it will be completed well before 2014.
Defence Minister Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar said that rules will be followed for the purchase of new aircraft for the PIA. In the first phase, we will get aircraft from Boeing on lease while in the second phase aircraft will be procured from Airbus.
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NA-Bill/Reports
Minister for Law Moula Bakhsh Chandio laid before the House “The National Institute of Science and Technical Education (Islamabad) Bill, 2012.” The bill provides for the constitution and restructuring the status of National Institute of Science and Technical Education, Islamabad as Degree Awarding Institute.
The Law Minister also laid the report on Observance and Implementation of Principles of Policy in relation to affairs of the Federation for the year 2010-11.
Chairman Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan presented the report of the Standing Committee on “The Gwadar Port Authority Bill, 2010.”
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NA-Points
Responding to the concerns of some members regarding non release of funds for the reconstruction of quake affected areas, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah assured that funds will be released for the timely completion of remaining projects in the affected areas. In this regard, he said the Finance Secretary will be asked to release necessary funds to the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority [ERRA].
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NA-Walkout
Members belonging to MQM staged a token walkout from the House over the situation in Karachi.
Earlier taking the floor, Haider Abbas Rizvi expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating situation in Karachi. He said Karachi is the economic hub of Pakistan and government should take remedial measures to check the disturbing situation in the provincial matters.
He warned that the party will also boycott the Joint Sitting of the Parliament on Saturday if the government did not take notice of the Karachi situation.
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NA-Delegation
A judicial delegation from Sudan headed by its Chief Justice Galal Elden Mohammed Osman Goreshi witnessed the proceedings of the National Assembly today.
The Chair and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo welcomed the delegation on behalf of the House.
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NA-Fahim
On a point raised by Engineer Usman Khan against increase in Tobacco Cess, Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim said it is the utmost effort of the government to facilitate the tobacco growers. He said he will held talks with the FBR officials to avoid imposition of any additional tax on them.
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NA-Minorities
Members including those representing minorities expressed concerns over the kidnapping and forced conversions of Hindu girls. They said it is the right of every person to accept any religion but nobody can be forced in this regard. They said protection of the minorities should be ensured as enshrined in the Constitution.
Minister of State for Interfaith Harmony and Minorities Affairs Akram Masih Gill said the present government has taken unprecedented steps for the uplift and empowerment of minorities. He said these include fixation of five percent quota in government jobs and declaration of August 11 as the Minorities Day. He said the House should enact a law to avoid forced conversions.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Begum Shehnaz Wazir Ali while voicing concerns over the issues of minorities said under the 18th Amendment four seats have been reserved for minorities in the Upper House. During the last few years several laws have been enacted including Human Rights Commission for the protection of the rights of women and minorities.
The House has now been adjourned to meet again tomorrow morning at ten.
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