ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) has been informed on Wednesday that overall security situation has improved in the country due to implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism.
Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Dr Muhammad Afzal Dhandla told the House during question hour that provincial apex committees meet every month to review security situation and ensure implementation of NAP.
He said that efforts are being made for an early return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House that information regarding unemployment is being collected in the ongoing census.
He said that this data will help federal and provincial governments to take steps towards generating employment opportunities.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Development Dr Ibadullah said that no energy project of Balochistan under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been shelved. He said that special economic zones under CPEC will be set up in all the provinces.
He said that road projects under the corridor are expected to be completed during the next two years while early harvest energy projects in one year.
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House institutions going to loss will be privatised. He said that the revenue collection has improved over the last few years and the economy is on an upward trajectory.
He said that despite re-payments of foreign loans amounting to over 13.6 billion rupees by the present government, the foreign exchange reserves presently stands at over 21.5 billion dollars.
Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Khalida Mansoor and others, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Works Syed Sajid Mehdi said that efforts are afoot to start work on Bhara Kahu Housing Scheme.
He said that the scheme for federal employees was delayed due to the contractor. He said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also been involved in order to take action against the contractor. Sajid Mehdi said that the present government initiated many projects for the federal employees.
Two bills were passed by the House on Wednesday. These are:
The National School of Public Policy (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and The Marine Insurance Bill, 2017. The bills were moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
Rising on a point of order, Leader of the Opposition Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah demanded a judicial inquiry into Army Public School Peshawar terrorist attack.
He said that it is regrettable that commitments made with the bereaved families including that of a judicial inquiry have not been fulfilled.
The opposition leader said that he met parents of the deceased schoolchildren with Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari. “The promises made to the parents have not been fulfilled.”
He added that mothers of the deceased still mourn the killing of their children. Therefore, he said a judicial enquiry should be started.
“So that it is known what interests were involved” he maintained. “Who benefitted from the attack and where [the authorities] lagged.” The incident had united the entire nation. “But the hearts that were broken have not been healed yet.”
On Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Reforms, he said that it should be done in accordance with the aspirations of the tribal people. He said that his party supports the merger of FATA with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
To another calling attention notice moved by Syed Naveed Qamar and others, Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House that loans are being distributed to the youth under PM Youth Programme as per the laid down criterion. He said that the programme launched in 2013 is meant for the unemployed youth.
As regard agriculture loans, he said that the present government approved 500 billion rupees for this purpose during the current financial year. He said that no discrimination is being made in disbursement of loans amongst farmers of all the provinces. The House will now meet on Thursday.
