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2051(15) NA (S)
PC-9 by Aafridi
1
(17th Session)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT
————
“QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES”
to be asked at a sitting of the National Assembly to be held on
Monday, the 12th January, 2015
91.
*Ms. Aisha Syed:
(Deferred during 15th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a)
the steps taken by the Government to bring Pakistanis back
from Libya due to the recent civil war in the said country; and
(b)
the number of Pakistanis called back by the Government so
far; alongwith the number of remaining Pakistanis in Libya at
present?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) Following measures have been
undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to facilitate evacuation of stranded
Pakistanis from Libya due to recent crisis:
(a)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs established Crisis Management Cell
(CMC) in Foreign Office to provide assistance to the relatives of
stranded Pakistanis in Libya round the clock.
(b) Prime Minister of Pakistan sanctioned rupees 400 million to carry
out evacuation/repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from Libya. 7040
Pakistanis have been evacuated from Libya.
(c)
Four Relief Camps were established, two in Tripoli and one each in
Benghazi and Sebha for provision of food, shelter and medical
assistance to Pakistanis seeking repatriation. At one time, around
3300 stranded Pakistanis were staying at these Relief Camps.
2
(d)
Embassy of Pakistan in Tripoli, Libya remained open on weekends
during the evacuation period. A helpline was established in the
Embassy of Pakistan for 24 hours assistance.
(e)
During last six months, 280 prisoners were also released from various
detention centers of Libya.
(b) The evacuation process of 7040 stranded Pakistanis from Libya
was concluded on 5 November 2014. Out of 7040 Pakistanis, 3310 were
evacuated through 13 special chartered flights and the remaining Pakistanis were
facilitated through neighboring countries/commercial airlines.
93.
*Ms. Shakila Luqman:
(Deferred during 15th Session)
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state whether it is a
fact that there was imbalance of imports and exports of the country
occurred during the last two years; if so, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): Yes it is a
fact that there was imbalance of imports and exports of the country during the last
two years. The magnitude of the imbalance between imports and exports is given
as under:—
Value in Million US$
——————————————————————————————
Years
Exports
Imports
Balance
of Trade
——————————————————————————————
2012-13
24,461
44,952
-20,491
2013-14
25,132
45,113
-19,981
——————————————————————————————
Source: PBS
(a)
The exports during the year 2013-14 were on the rise, showing
positive growth of 2.7% as compared to exports of 2012-13. The
export growth rate is slow because of the following reasons;
(i) Energy Crisis: The main reason that our exports are not
increasing at a faster rate is the ever worsening energy crisis.
All the major industrialists/exporters are complaining about the
3
severe shortage of energy supply. Energy shortages have badly
affected the production; hence the growth rate of exports is
mere 2.7%.
(ii) War on Terror: Pakistan’s involvement in war on terror has
created law and order issues which resulted in decline of
Investment and hence slowed down the growth of exports.
(b)
94.
On the other hand, there is huge gap between Imports and Exports
i.e. about US$ 20 billion. The reason for higher imports is the fact
that most of our imports are inelastic. We have to import Crude oil,
edible oil, machinery and Chemicals/Industrial Raw material which
account for 67% of our imports.
*Ms. Shakila Luqman:
(Deferred during 15th Session)
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development be pleased to state:
(a)
the present status of the construction of new housing colonies
for overseas Pakistanis; and
(b)
the total number of Pakistanis who have sent amount to Pakistan
therefor alongwith the break-up of utilization of the said amount
for development and non-development purposes?
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a)
•
The present status of following two new Housing Colonies meant for
the overseas Pakistanis being developed by Overseas Pakistanis
Foundation is as under:—
4
(b) •
•
•
Total number of Pakistanis who have sent amount are:
2416
Amount sent by them:
Rs.2.35 billion
Amount utilized is as follows:
OPF VALLEY ZONE-V, ISLAMABAD
o Development expenditure:
o Non-Development Expenditure
o Cost of land:
Rs.1800 million
Rs.122 million
Rs.320 million
OPF HOUSING SCHEME RAIWIND ROAD, LAHORE
(EXTENSION)
o Development expenditure:
Rs.111 million
o Non-Development Expenditure:
Rs.17 million
o Cost of land:
Rs.136 million
———————————————————————
Total:
Rs. 2506 million (Rs.2.50 billion)
———————————————————————
37.
*Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state whether it is
a fact that despite ban the Gulf Royals hunted Houbara Bustards in
Chaghi, Balochistan; if so, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: During the current hunting season, starting
from 1st November, no Arab dignitary has visited district Chaghi for hunting, so
far.
@32. *Mr. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a)
the variety-wise details of production of cotton during the last
three years including current year alongwith the technological,
————————————————————————————————————
@Transferred from National Food Security and Research Division.
5
financial and institutional assistance provided to the farmers
for the cultivation of cotton in the country;
(b)
whether there are reports of distress sale of cotton by the farmers
in various parts of the country; if so, the details thereof alongwith
the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to
check the distress sale of cotton in the country;
(c) whether excellence centres have been set up to improve the
quality of cotton seeds and to boost the production of cotton in
the country; and
(d) whether it is a fact that the Government has taken steps to
bring more area under cultivation for the cotton crop in the
country; if so, the details thereof?
Minister for Textile Industry (Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi): (a) The variety
wise details of production of cotton during last three years and current year
(2011-14) along with institution in Punjab province are given in Table-1.
(b)
Cotton prices remained under pressure during 2014-15 causing a
lot of distress to the cotton farmers.
Average price of seed cotton (phutti) for the current crop season
(2014) fell below Rs. 3000 per 40kg during August and onword.
ECC of the Cabinet approved government price invention and
authorized Trading Corporation of Pakistan to procure one million
bales of cotton lint at price equivalent to Rs. 3000 per 40kg of seed
cotton. TCP started buying cotton but the process was halted when
ECC felt the benefit of price intervention is not transferring to cotton
growers.
Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation and will recommend
appropriate measure to stabilize the prices in future.
(c) “Central Cotton Research Institutes (CCRI)” at Multan and Sakrand
are prime cotton R&D institutes of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC).
CCRI, Multan is being upgraded as “Centre of excellence” with the coordination
for OIC cotton growing countries and Federal Government developed
6
infrastructure. Eight “Cotton Research Stations (CRS)” are working in different
ecological zones for area specific of cotton research including Sahiwal, Bahawalpur,
Ghotki, Mirpurkhas, Sibbi, Lasbella and D.I.Khan to further improve cotton
productivity in these regions as well.
(d) PCCC and Ministry of Textile has always been taking appropriate
steps to maximize cotton production in the country through horizontal and vertical
growth. Main steps taken in this regard are stated as under:—
Horizontal Growth:
i.
PCCC is conducting farmers training programs to influence cotton
growers to bring more area under cotton right before the sowing of
cotton starts.
ii.
Efforts are being made to maximize area under cotton in Gomal Zam
command area in D I Khan (KP).
iii.
To facilitate cotton cultivation in Baluchistan, a new research station
has been set up in Lasbela with collaboration of Lasbela University
of Agriculture water and Marine Sciences.
iv. Field Staff of Agriculture Department of KP and Baluchistan were
trained at Multan and Faisalabad in Cotton Production Technology.
Vertical Growth:
v. Promising varieties which are tolerant to Cotton Leaf Curl Virus
(CLCV) developed by PCCC and other public and private research
system are being tested for release to enhance cotton production as
CLCV is the largest hindrance to cotton maximization.
vi.
Bt cotton varieties were developed and released through legal system.
vii.
To increase the cotton fiber quality, a Cotton Ginning Institute is
being established in Multan with the objective to produce world class
quality fiber from cotton.
7
viii. All efforts have been undertaken by the government to ensure sufficient
and timely availability of quality inputs (agricultural credit, irrigation
water, fertilizers, seeds, weedicides, pesticides etc.) to ensure high
level of cotton production.
ix.
Cotton Leaf Curl Virus issue is being addressed through a “Pak-US
Cotton Productivity Enhancement Programme” with objective to
strengthen national cotton R&D system especially for the development
of virus resistant varieties.
x.
Public and Private sector R&D organizations were provided with
germplasm to facilitated them to develop high yielding cotton varieties.
8
9
121.
*Mr. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi:
Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to state:
(a)
the total area of land of Coaching Centre, Karachi under the
administrative control of Pakistan Sports Board;
(b)
whether it is a fact that the said land is being encroached; and
(c)
the time by which the under construction residential Flats in the
said Coaching Centres will be completed alongwith the name of
persons to whom those Flats will be allotted?
Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Husain
Prizada): (a)Total area under the control of PSB Coaching Centre, Karachi is
28.4 acres.
(b) No
(c) This project relating to Construction of Staff Residential Flats at
Karachi alongwith other projects located in the premises of PSB Coaching Centre,
Karachi, was inadvertently included in the list of sports development projects
transferred to the Government of Sindh at the time of devolution by the Ministry of
Sports in June, 2011. Action is in hand for obtaining approval of the competent
authority for retention of these projects by PSB whereafter the flats will be completed
and allotted to deserving employees of the Centre.
122.
*Mr. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the steps being taken by the Government to control polio in the
camps of IDPS affected by operation Zarb-e-Azab; and
(b)
whether data of IDPS is available of those persons who have
gone to other provinces in order to control polio keeping in
view the said data?
10
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul
Quadir Baloch]:
(a) •
“Deployment of transit teams on Saidgi check post. At the time of
evacuation of population from NWA to other parts of the country
due to Zarb-e-Azab Total vaccinated for polio at Saidgi check post
were 161,956.
•
All those IDPs of NWA who came via Khost (Afghanistan) to
Pakistan through Kurram Agency, at Ali Zai (Kurram Agency) a
transit point was established at that time on which 85,812 children
were vaccinated.
•
At BakaKhel camp 6157 children’s were vaccinate, in each campaign
(08 campaigns) since the start of “Zarb-e-Azab”
•
A Special Measles campaign was also conducted in FR Bannu in the
month of August 2014 and vaccinated 46,269 children for polio
along will measles vaccine.
•
Inactivated Polio Vaccine (Injection) campaign has been launched
for long term immunity of the children of the DPs residing in FR
Bannu. campaign is being launched for the first time in Pakistan
(FR Bannu area of FATA). The campaign is still in progress.”
(b) “At the time of displacement from North Waziristan Agency due to
Operation Zarb-e-Azb, special arrangements were made for polio vaccination of
all the TDPs children arriving at the registration and facilitation points established
by FATA Disaster Management Authority with the support of Health Department
FATA and Provincial Health authorities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The North TDPs
being citizens of Pakistan are allowed to adopt dwelling of their choice.
Moreover FDMA has not maintained family-wise record of the North
TDPs who have opted to live in host community. However the data shared by the
ZONG Mobile Company indicating the drawl of monthly cash assistance by North
TDPs from different cities of the country, is placed at Annexure-I. This shows the
distribution of TDPs across Pakistan.
In view of the funds transfer mechanism, physical presence of TDPs in
camp is not necessary.”
11
Annex-I
City wise details of NWA TDPs who received their compensation
amount
——————————————————————————————
City
Sum of Transactions
——————————————————————————————
Abbottabad
35
Attock
171
Badin
1
Bahawalpur
48
Bannu
29,753
Batagram
1
Bhakker
39
Chakwal
66
Charsadda
1,917
Chiniot
4
Depalpur
10
Dera Ghazi Khan
90
Dera Ismail Khan
3,022
Dunya Pur
8
Faisalabad
38
Federal Capital (Islamabad)
1,569
Gilgit
212
Gojra
3
Gujranwala
1
Hafizabad
2
Haripur
19
Haroonabad
6
Hasilpur
6
Hyderabad
144
Jaccobabad
4
Jhang
12
Jhelum
17
Johi
2
Karachi
856
Karak
6,712
Kashmore
26
Kehrorpakka
2
——————————————————————————————
12
——————————————————————————————
City
Sum of Transactions
——————————————————————————————
Khairpur
5
Khanewal
1
Khurianwala
1
Khushab
2
Khuzdar
4
Kohat
2,106
Kotli
1
Kwazakhela
4
Lahore
559
Lakki Marwat
4,608
Larkana
10
Latifabad
1
Lodhran
6
Loralai
1
Mansehra
64
Mardan
480
Mian Chanu
1
Mianwali
56
Mir Pur
2
Multan
214
Muzaffargarh
128
Narowal
3
Nawabshah
3
Nowshera
35
Nushki
1
Okara
3
Pakpattan
1
Pashin
1
Peshawar
6,859
Qamber & Shahdad Kot
4
Quetta
33
Rahim Yar Khan
29
Rajanpur
31
Rawalpindi
774
Sahiwal
10
Sambrial
1
——————————————————————————————
13
——————————————————————————————
City
Sum of Transactions
——————————————————————————————
Sarai Naurang
5,968
Sargodha
115
Sheikhupura
3
Shikarpur
10
Sialkot
11
Sibi
1
Sukkur
44
Swabi
7
Swat
86
Tala Gang
2
Tando Allahyar
1
Tank
4
Thatta
2
Toba Tek Singh
6
Vehari
5
Zhob
3
——————————————————————————————
Grand Total
67,106
——————————————————————————————
123.
*Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan:
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources
Development be pleased to state the steps taken by the Government
for the Welfare of Overseas Pakistanis in the Province of the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa during the last five years?
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): Overseas Pakistanis
Foundation has taken following welfare measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the
welfare of overseas Pakistanis during the last five years (2009-2014):—
•
Financial assistance of Rs.109.85 million has been provided to 867
dependents of deceased and disabled overseas Pakistanis belonging
to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
•
Free eye medical camps were held in overseas Pakistanis
concentration areas i.e. Swabi, Haripur, Besham, Swat & Baffa
wherein over 7000 patients were treated during the last five years.
14
124.
•
Construction of OPF Public School’s Building Budhani Road,
Peshawar has been completed.
•
396 students children of OPs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have
benefitted on account of Merit Awards and needy scholarship.
•
Vocational Training Center, at Peshawar has been revived in July
2013 to impart training to KPK&FATA youth. 87 students were
trained upto December, 2013.
•
03 seats are annually reserved for the children of overseas Pakistanis
of KPK in Khyber Medical College (1) & Ayub Medical College(2).
•
Relief Goods of Rs.01 million (food & non-food items) were
distributed among 300 IDPs families of overseas Pakistanis during
Swat operation in 2010. Similarly food items/medicines of Rs.08
million were provided to flood affected persons in 2010.
*Ms. Shahida Akhtar Ali:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Pakistanis convicted in Saudi Arabia in cases
of narcotics during the last five years; and
(b)
the steps taken by the Government to prevent such incidents in
future?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) The total number of Pakistanis
convicted in Saudi Arabia in cases of Narcotics during the last five years is 568.
The year wise break-up is as under:
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
199
82
59
67
161
Total
568
(b) This matter relates to Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.
15
125.
*Ms. Aisha Syed:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
the number of mosques constructed and repaired the in FATA during
the period from 1-1-2013 till date alongwith the total amount of funds
allocated therefor?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul
Quadir Baloch]: The number of mosques constructed and repaired in FATA
during the period from 1-1-2013 has been asked from all Political Agents on
priority basis. However, due to Law and Order situation, it will take some time.
126.
*Ms. Aisha Syed:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
the number of institutions in FATA which impart education and skill
development to the female alongwith the number of beneficiaries
thereof so far?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul
Quadir Baloch]: FATA Development Authority is imparting skill development
trainings to the females of FATA under its two programs i.e. Establishment of
Government Women Skills Development Centers in FATA and “Skilling FATA
through Joint Venture”. 48 numbers of Government Women Skills Development
Centers have been established under these programs across the FATA and 15407
females have been trained since 2008.
39 Women Training Centers have been established in collaboration with
the Community Based Organizations and 1580 females have been trained under
this program since January 2013.
Agency wise detail of Centers is attached.
16
Annexure
ESTABLISMENT OF WOMEN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
CENTERS IN FATA
Number of Females trained till 31 December 2014: 16987
Number of Women Skills Development Centers: 87
————————————————————————————————
S. No
Agency/FR
Number of Centers
Total Female Trained
————————————————————————————————
1.
Bajaur
11
1600
2.
Mohmand
09
1320
3.
Khyber
12
1500
4.
Peshawar
04
967
5.
Kohat
03
700
6.
Orakzai
06
760
7.
North Waziristan
04
1200
8.
Bannu
09
1240
9.
Kurram
09
1560
10.
D.I.Khan
05
1160
11.
Lakki
05
1400
12.
Tank
04
840
13
South Waziristan
06
2740
————————————————————————————————
Total
87
16987
————————————————————————————————
127.
*Sheikh Salahuddin:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
the time by which Internally Displaced Persons of North Waziristan
Agency will be repatriated?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul
Quadir Baloch]: Due to militancy in FATA, a total of 467,991 NADRA verified
families have been temporarily dislocated out of which 162,338 families have
been successfully returned to their areas of origin in FATA and a total of
305,653families are being returned in due course of time. Statement showing
Agency-wise statistics of FATA TDPs as on 1st January, 2015 is placed at
Annexure-I.
17
As far as timeframe for the return of FATA Temporarily Displaced Persons
(TDPs) is concerned, the repatriation of the Temporarily Dislocated Persons
(TDPs) to their areas of origin in FATA is subject to clearance of the areas by Law
Enforcing Agencies (LEAs) and issuance of de-notification by FATA Secretariat
on the recommendations of Political Administrative concerned.
18
19
128.
*Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho:
Will the Minister for State and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government
to legalize the status of 1.6 million Afghan Refugees residing in the
country?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul
Quadir Baloch]: There is no policy under consideration for naturalization or
awarding Pakistan citizenship. Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for registered
Afghan Refugees only allow temporary stay in Pakistan till 31st December, 2015.
129.
*Shazia Mari
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state the names and
types of seeds of crops imported during the period from 1-1-2012 till
date alongwith names of countries thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): Lists
showing details of crop seeds and other seeds imported during the period from
01-01-2012 till date alongwith names of countries thereof are at Annex-I & II
respectively.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
130.
*Shazia Mari:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that sea food is not being exported to the
European Countries at present; if so, the reasons thereof; and
(b)
the steps being taken by the Government to export the said
food to those countries?
20
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) Sea
Food is being exported to European Union member states. The trade statistics for
January-September 2014 indicate that there has been an export of US$ 2.47
million to European Union; this represents an increase of US$ 2.12 million over
the same period in 2013. EU had delisted all the companies exporting fish from
Pakistan in 2007. It was primarily done on the account of failure to meet EU’s
SPS measures. As a result, there was no export of Sea Food to EU during
2007-2013. As a result of the efforts of the Government of Pakistan i.e, Ministry
of Commerce and Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), EU lifted the ban in June
2013. Two exporting establishments are now being allowed to export to EU
member states.
Ministry of Commerce is actively supporting Marine Fisheries Department,
which has been declared by EU as the ‘Competent Authority’ from Pakistan to
certify consignments before the exports. Marine Fisheries Department is
endeavoring to upgrade five more companies, so that their readiness to export
Call be conveyed to DG (SANCO), Health and Consumer rights Department of
EU. Both MFD and Ministry of Commerce are cognizant that interceptions of
consignments not meeting the EU standards can once again lead to a ban and it.
will then take years to have it lifted.
(b) Measures taken to comply with EC’s SPS standards include:
•
Modernization of laboratory services of Marine Fisheries Department
(MFD))
•
MFD Microbiology and Chemical Labs have been accredited.
•
Improvement of fishing vessels/ hygiene practices, improvement of
landing/auction sites, improvement of fish processing plants,
strengthening of fishery products production chain supervision and
harmonization of standards.
•
131.
Four boats modified as modular boats and around 200 fishermen’s
boats have been modified.
*Dr. Nafisa Shah:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the details of
the foreign visits made by the Prime Minister alongwith total amount
of expenditure incurred on each visit thereof?
21
Minister for Foreign Affairs: Following Foreign visits have so far been
made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The
expenditure incurred on the foreign visits is given in the table below:
——————————————————————————————
Sr. No.
Country Visited with date
Total Expenditure
——————————————————————————————
1.
China (3-8 July, 2013)
26.2 million
2.
Turkey (16-18 September, 2013)
11.9 million
3.
USA (23-29 September, 2013)
91.6 million
4.
UK (22-23 & 29-30 September, 2013)
30.9 million
5.
USA (22-23 October, 2013)
35.0 million
6.
Sri Lanka (15-17 November, 2013)
11.8 million
7.
Thailand (17-19 November, 2013)
9.7 million
8.
Kabul (30 November, 2013)
1.4 million
9.
Turkey (l2-15 February, 2014)
6.8 million
10.
The Hague (23-25 March, 2014)
12.5 million
11.
China (8-11 April, 2014)
11.7 million
12.
UK (29 April to 4 May, 2014)
2.5 million
13.
Iran (11-12 May, 2014)
2.6 million
14.
India (26-27 May, 2014)
4.3 million
15.
Tajikistan (17-18 June, 2014)
3.7 million
16.
New York (23-27 September, 2014)
42.4 million
17.
China (7-9 November, 2014)
11.7 million
18.
Germany (10-12 November, 2014)
7.4 million
19.
UK (12-14 November, 2014)
8.1 million
20.
Nepal (22-27 November, 2014)
7.8 million
21.
UK (2-6 December, 2014)
11.0 million
——————————————————————————————
132.
*Dr. Nafisa Shah:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state the total value of
rice exported during the period from 01-07-2014 to 30-09-2014 as
compared to the same period during the year 2013 alongwith reasons
of decline thereof during the said period?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): The total
value of rice exported during the period from 01-07-2014 to 30-09-2014 as
compared to the same period during the year 2013 is as under:—
22
EXPORTS OF RICE
Value in Million US$
——————————————————————————————
July 2013 to
July 2014 to
%
Commodities
September
September
Change
2013
2014
——————————————————————————————
Rice
312.3
317.7
2%
——————————————————————————————
Source: REAP (QRC Rice Inspection Cell)
As per above data there is an increase of 2% in export of rice in the
period from 01-07-2014 to 30-09-2014 as compared to the same period during
the year 2013.
133.
*Ms. Musarat Rafique Mahesar:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that export of vegetables, tobacco, wheat,
sugar and spices from Pakistan has recently decreased as
compared to previous years;
(b)
if so, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan):
(a) VEGETABLES
The exports of vegetables has decreased from US$ 246.8 million in
2012-13 to US$ 210 million in 2013-14. Whereas the exports of
vegetables has decreased from US$ 63.8 million in July-November
2013-14 to US$ 42.7 million in July-November, 2014-15.
TOBACCO
The exports of tobacco has decreased from US$ 25.3 million in
2012-13 to US$ 22.6 million in 2013-14. The export of tobacco
has also decreased from US$ 7 million in July-November 2013-14
to US$ 6.1 million in July-November 2014-15.
23
WHEAT
The exports of wheat has decreased from US$ 53.6 million in
2012-13 to US$7 million in 2013-14. The exports of wheat has
also decreased from US$ 6.9 million in July-November, 2013-14 to
US$ 0 in July-November 2014-15.
SUGAR
The export of sugar has decreased from US$ 530 million in
2012-13 to US$ 287.5 million in 2013-14. The export of sugar has
increased from US$ 67.6 million in July-November 2013-14 to US$
98.6 million in July-November 2014-15.
SPICES
The export of spices has decreased from US$ 68.4 million in
2012-13 to US$ 56.4 million in 2013-14. However, the export has
increased from US$ 17.7 million in July-November 2013-14 to
US$ 23.1 million in July-November 2014-15.
(b)
VEGETABLES
The chief contributors in exports of vegetables are Potato and onions.
During 2013-14 export of potato was 257,661 MT as compared to
481,574 MT during 2012-13. There was 25% regulatory duty on
export of potato, Which now has been lifted on 24-12-2014. ,
SUGAR
The reason for decline in export of sugar is that export of sugar is
banned, only restricted amount of sugar export is allowed by ECC
of the cabinet.
WHEAT
The reason for decline in export of wheat is that export of wheat is
banned, only restricted amount of wheat export is Allowed by ECC
of the cabinet.
TOBACCO
The reasons for decline in export of tobacco are:
(i)
Cultivation of Non-Recommended Varieties (NPV’s) of
tobacco by growers. The non-recommended varieties of
tobacco constitute a significant amount of the total tobacco
24
production. The production from NRV’s is of poor quality and
many export orders have been cancelled due to this reason.
(ii) As per Pakistan Tobacco Board’s law, the price of tobacco
has to be increased on yearly basis. This increase in prices has
decreased the profits of exporters therefore our tobacco exports
have become less competitive. The exporters are not getting
the profits on export of tobacco from International market,
hence resulting in decline of exports of tobacco.
134.
*Ms. Musarat Rafique Mahesar:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
the number of trade exhibitions/fares organized by the Ministry
since June 2013 till date; and
(b)
total expenditures incurred thereon?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) TDAP
has organized 102 international exhibitions/fairs in the period between June 2013
till date.
(b) The total expenditure incurred on these exhibitions is
US$ 5,781,570.80.
135.
*Ms. Shaista Pervaiz:
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development be pleased to state:
(a)
whether the Government is aware that despite proper guidelines
on manpower recruitment huge amount is being charged from
the people by the recruiting agents for work visa in foreign
countries;
(b) if so, the details of guidelines laid down in this regard; and
(c)
the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to check
the rising ratio of malpractices of recruitment agencies?
25
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a) According to Rule
15-A of the Emigration Rules 1979 (Annex-A), an overseas employment promoter
(OEP) can charge the actual expenses incurred on air ticketing, medical, work
permit, levy, visa and documentation of the emigrant and issue receipt under his
own hand and seal duly impressed with revenue stamps of appropriate value.
(b) When complaint regarding charging of exorbitant amount is received
against the OEP, the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment
(BE & OE), an attached Department of this Ministry, takes cognizance under
Section 12(3) of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979 (Annex-B).
In case an OEP is found guilty of overcharging, he is proceeded in
accordance with the said law, under which, OEP’s licence can be suspended or
cancelled, security amount deposited by OEP can be wholly or partially forfeited.
(c) The Federal Government is issuing instructions to the Protectors of
Emigrants from time to time asking them to keep vigilant eye on the OEPs so that
they should not violate the rules.
Following data of last five years reveals that there is no rising trend in
malpractices of OEPs rather complaints are decreasing each year gradually due to
strict vigilance of Government:
——————————————————————————————
S. No.
Year
No. of
No. of
complaints
complaints
settled
——————————————————————————————
1.
2010
90
82
2.
2011
69
58
3.
2012
72
52
4.
2013
59
36
5.
2014
48
18
——————————————————————————————
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
136.
*Ms. Shaista Pervaiz:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a)
the item-wise details of the targets fixed and achieved for export
of textiles during the previous and current years separately;
26
(b) the country-wise details of the share of other major textile
exporting countries thereof during the last five years including
current year; and
(c)
the steps taken by the Government to increase the share of Textile
exports?
Transferred to Commerce Division for answer on Next Rota Day.
137.
*Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a) the year-wise amount, earmarked, released and utilized which
was given by the Federal Government to FATA during the last
5 years including first half of current financial year;
(b) whether the audit system is prescribed for such funds; if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that malpractices were reported in utilization
of such funds;
(d)
if so, steps being taken to investigate the malpractices in
utilization of said funds to ensure transparent utilization of funds
in FATA?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul
Quadir Baloch]: (a) During the financial year 2010 to 2014 & half the financial
year 2014-15, the following amount has been allocated and released.
A.
Development Budget
i. 2010-11 to 2013-14
a. Budget allocated =
b. Budget released =
c. Expenditure
=
Rs.54.827 billion
Rs.50.818 billion
Rs.49.484 billion
ii. 2014-15(1st half)
a. Budget allocated
b. Budget released
c. Expenditure
Rs.8.900 billion
Rs.7.083 billion
Rs.1.670 billion
=
=
=
27
B.
Current Budget
i. 2010-11 to 2013-14
a. Budget allocated =
b. Budget released =
c. Expenditure
=
Rs.47.428 billion
Rs.47.428 billion
Rs.61.271 billion
The excess of Rs.13.850 billion in the Financial years 2010-11 to
2013-14 is due to payment of obligatory expenses such as salary of the employees,
as funds were not provided through Supplementary Grants by the Finance Division.
ii. 2014-15(1st half)
a. Budget allocated
b. Budget released
c. Expenditure
=
=
=
Rs.7.732 billion
Rs.7.732 billion
Rs.4.383 billion
(b) Since the funds released to FATA form part of Federal Consolidated
Fund, therefore, it is audited annually by the Office of the Auditor General of
Pakistan.
(c) There have been financial irregularities, as reported in the Audit
Reports of the Auditor General of Pakistan for the respective years.
(d) The irregularities, pointed out by the Department of the Auditor
General of Pakistan, are being followed up by FATA Secretariat, as well as the
concerned Departments, till final settlement, of the observations through recovery
or regularization, as the case may be.
138.
*Shaikh Rohale Asghar:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the steps
taken by the Government so far to apprise other countries of
violations committed by India on Pakistani borders?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: The Indian forces have committed
unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LOC) and Working
Boundary (WB). In 2014, we have recorded 243 unprovoked ceasefire violations
by the Indian forces, peaking in October 2014 with 71 ceasefire violations, 30 on
the Line of Control and 32 on the Working Boundary.
28
2. Steps taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of
Pakistan, to inform other countries are summarized below:
•
Adviser on Foreign Affairs wrote a Letter to the UN Secretary
General on 12 October, 2014. He underlined the need to resolve
the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with UNSC
resolutions.
•
Heads of P-5 Countries in Islamabad were briefed by the Adviser
on 13th October, 2014, on India’s unprovoked ceasefire violations
at the LoC and WB.
•
Briefing to the Diplomatic Corps was held on 14th October, 2014
to apprise them on the situation.
•
The Adviser to the PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs
spoke to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on
telephone on 18th October, 2014 and discussed situation along the
Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary.
•
Issued instructions to our Missions abroad to take up the matter of
ceasefire violations by India with their interlocutors, to urge India to
deescalate in the light of 2003 Ceasefire Agreement.
3.
The objective of these initiatives was to bring into international focus
the hostile acts of Indian forces, impressing upon the need to strengthen the
existing mandate of United Nations Military Observer Group for India and
Pakistan (UNMOGIP) given to it by UN Security Council. We also stressed
upon UN to carry out impartial inquiry into the incidents of ceasefire violations
through UNMOGIP.
4. On 31st December, Indian Border Security Force (BSF) troops
resorted to unprovoked firing across the Working Boundary (WB). The BSF
troops called for casual contact at WB, signaling the white flag and blowing
whistle. In response to the Indian call, four Pakistani soldiers approached the
Working Boundary for the meeting, who were fired at by the Indian forces
which resulted in the shahadat of two personnel of Punjab Rangers. This
incident is unprecedented, highly provocative, and has a direct bearing on
the effectiveness of the on standing on-ground mechanisms to ensure tranquility
and prevent escalation of hostilities.
5. Subsequently, on 2nd January, the Advisor wrote a letter to the
Indian Minister for External Affairs to register strong protest against this incident.
29
The same day, the Foreign Secretary briefed the Heads of the Missions of
P-5 countries and the EU in Islamabad, showed the letter written to the Indian
Foreign Minister and emphasized the importance of maintaining ceasefire on
the LOC and WB. He stressed the urgency of the international community
playing its role in counseling India to refrain from actions that threaten peace
and stability in the region.
139.
*Ms. Belum Hasnain:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs)
with China, Malaysia and Indonesia have deteriorated Pakistan’s
trade balance; if so, the reasons thereof, indicating also the
current level of trade deficit thereof; and
(b)
the rationale for signing the PTAs with other countries and the
expected benefits derived therefrom for the country so far?
Minister of Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan) :
(a)
Pak-China FTA
Pak-China FTA was signed in 2007. Since the operationalization of FTA,
Pakistan’s exports to China have increased by 378% however the trade deficit
increased by 120%. Trade balance between Pakistan and China is placed at
Annex-A.
(b)
Pak-Malaysia FTA
Pak- Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed in 2007 and
operational since January, 2008. After the operationalization of FTA Pakistan’s
exports to Malaysia have increased by 72% and trade deficit increased by 0.49%.
Trade balance between Pakistan and Malaysia is placed at Annex-A.
(c)
Pak -Indonesia PTA
Pak Indonesia PTA was signed in 2012 and is operational since Sep,
2013. Since the operationalization of the PTA Pakistan’s exports to Indonesia
have declined by 37% and the trade deficit has increased 24.68%. Trade balance
between Pakistan and Indonesia is placed at Annex-A.
30
Reasons for Trade Deficit
Pakistan’s Trade Balance with China and Malaysia, has been in deficit
even before signing of the FTA and continue to remain so. Major reason of the
trade deficit with China, Malaysia and Indonesia is that they are larger economies
with diversified export basket. Additionally Pakistan has a large import bill due to
the imports of palm oil, machinery, electronics and other consumer goods.
(b)
The rationale behind signing Preferential Trade Agreements is to
enhance export and obtain preferential market access, reduced tariff and nontariff barriers for Pakistan’s products. Other expected benefit of signing of FTA/
PTA is that cheaper imported inputs and raw-material help in reduced cost of
production making our products more competitive in the export markets.
Furthermore, consumers have access to wide variety of products at a reasonable
price.
31
140.
*Ms. Belum Hasnain:
Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to state:
(a)
the number of Inter Board tournaments organized in the country
by PSB to promote the sports at school and college level, during
the last three years, indicating also the names of places/cities
thereof; and
(b)
the total amount spent on the said tournaments so far alongwith
year-wise breakup thereof?
Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Husain
Pirzada): (a) Following Inter-Board Tournaments were organized during the
last three years: —
a.
1st Pakistan Inter-Board Sports from 12—18 December, 2012 at
Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad.
b.
2nd Pakistan Inter-Board Sports from 22—27 February, 2014 at
Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad.
(b) •
Amount spent Rs.14,522,121/- on lst Pakistan Inter-Board
Sports 2012.
32
33
141.
*Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a) the District-wise total number of knitwear exporting units working in
the country at present;
\
(b)
the increase/decrease made in number of the said units during
the last five years; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to facilitate the said
industry and enhance exports thereof?
Minister for Textile Industry (Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi) : (a) The
district wise knitwear exporting units registered with the Pakistan Hosiery
Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) are as follows:
—————————————————————————————
Sr. No.
Area
No. of Units
—————————————————————————————
1.
Karachi (KHI)
374
2.
Lahore (LHR)
160
3.
Faisalabad (FSD)
262
4.
Sialkot (SKT)
126
—————————————————————————————
Total
922
—————————————————————————————
Source: Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA)
(b) The knitwear units registered with the PHMA in 2005 were 1174
and 922 units were registered with PHMA during 2013-14.
(c) The Government approved Textiles Package in Budget 2014-15.
The package is comprised of following important initiatives:
Drawback of Local Taxes
Draw-back for local taxes and levies would be given to exporters of textile
products on FOB values of their enhanced exports on an incremental basis if
increased beyond 10% over previous year’s exports.
34
Easy Finance
Mark up rate for Export Refinance Scheme of State Bank of Pakistan is
being reduced from 9.4% to 7.5% from 1st of July 2014.
Textile industry units in the value added sector would be provided Long
Term Financing Facility (LTFF) for up gradation of technology from State Bank of
Pakistan at the rate of 9% for 3-10 years duration. Tariff on Machinery Imports
Duty free import of textile machinery for the period of two years. Vocational
Training
A new vocation training programme will be launched to train 120,000
men and women, over the five year period, for skills required in the value added
sector such as garments and made ups etc.
142.
*Mr. Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan
Will the Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination be pleased to state
that the amount allocated during financial year 2013-2014
for Pakistan Sports Board, Pakistan Hockey Federation and all other
Federations thereof?
Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Husain
Pirzada) : Pakistan Sports Board has 39 affiliated National Sports Federations.
The grant allocated during financial year 2013-14 for the Pakistan Sports Board,
Pakistan Hockey Federation and other National Sports Federations is appended
below:—
(i) PSB
(ii) Hockey:
(iii) Other Federations
-
Rs. 797.152 (M)
Rs. 8,000,000/-
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
-
Rs. 6,500,000/Rs. 1,500,000/Rs. 1,989,000/Rs. 1,495,000/Rs. 7,140,000/-
Athletics Federation of Pakistan
Alpine Club of Pakistan
Pakistan Badminton Federation
Pakistan Basketball Federation
Pakistan Billiard & Snooker
Association
35
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
Pakistan Bodybuilding
Federation
Pakistan Boxing Federation
Pakistan Cycling Federation
Pakistan Golf Federation
Pakistan Gymnastic
Federation
Pakistan Handball Federation
Pakistan Judo Federation
Pakistan Karate Federation
Pakistan Kabaddi Federation
Pakistan Polo Association
Pakistan Netball Federation
National Rifle Association of
Pakistan
Pakistan Rowing Federation
Pakistan Sailing Federation
Ski Federation of Pakistan
Pakistan Squash Federation
Pakistan Swimming
Federation
Softball Federation of
Pakistan
Pakistan Table Tennis
Federation
Pakistan Taekwondo
Federation
Pakistan Tennis Federation
Pakistan Volleyball
Federation
Pakistan Weightlifting
Federation
Pakistan Wrestling Federation
Pakistan Wushu (Kung Fu)
Federation.
Pakistan Tenpin Bowling
Federation
32. Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation
-
Rs. 4,800,000/-
-
Rs. 2,860,000/Rs. 1,000,000/Rs. 2,290,500/Rs. 1,000,000/-
-
Rs.2,800,000/Rs. 3,940,000/Rs. 1,690,000/Rs. 2,703,000/Rs. 682,500/
Rs. 2,000,000/Rs. 3,175,020/-
-
Rs. 913,9000/Rs. 2,570,500/Rs. 889,200/
Rs. 3,929,400/Rs. 2,690,000/-
-
Rs. 1,196,000/-
-
Rs. 1,040,000/-
-
Rs. 2,500,000/-
-
Rs. 3,600,000/Rs. 2,600,000/-
-
Rs. 1635,400/-
-
Rs. 1,670,500/Rs. 1,275,300/-
-
Rs. 700,000/-
-
Rs. 390,000/-
36
143.
*Ms. Aasiya Nasir:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
the present status of 27 United Nations conventions ratified by
Pakistan, currently;
(b)
the time by which the legislation for implementation of the said
conventions will be carried out; and
(c)
the steps being taken by the Government to address human rights
issues in Pakistan?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) Pakistan
has already ratified and continues to maintain die ratification of 27 -United Nation
International Conventions mandatory for GSP Plus. The status of implementation
can be viewed through:
•
Timely submission of periodic Reports to UN Bodies.
•
Enacting Legislation to incorporate obligations of the conventions in
Domestic legislative framework.
•
Administrative and Policy - measures for implementing the obligations
arising out of these conventions
Details of implementation status of these conventions are at Annex-I:
(b) Government of Pakistan continues to progressively include the
provisions of these Conventions into the legislative framewarks at Federal and
Provincial level. It is an ongoing process, where new laws are introduced and
amended from time to time as the need may be to meet changing international
requirements in the light of national aspirations and goals.
(c) Human Rights (Wing) at Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights
has the mandate of coordination of activities of Ministries, Divisions and
Provincial Governments for protection and promotion of human rights.
Government of Pakistan has taken several initiatives for harmonization of
legislation, with the International Human Rights Covenants and to monitor the
implementation of the legislation.
37
Initiatives taken up for the protection and promotion of human rights are
at Annex-II.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
144.
*Ms. Aasiya Nasir
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
the facilities being provided by the Ministry to the farmers of
Balochistan, to promote exports thereof; and
(b)
the efforts being made to give more access to markets by roads?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) Following
initiatives have been announced by the Ministry of Commerce in Strategic Trade
Policy Framework (STPF) 2012-15 to help the farmers so that exports can be
increased;
(i)
Farmers growing dates & olives in Baluchistan will be provided
subsidy on cost of plants & machinery for dates and olives processing
upto 50%.
(ii) Mark-up subsidy @ 50% of the prevailing mark-up rate to be
provided to farmers setting up meat processing plants in KPK,
Baluchistan and Gilgit Baltistan.
Besides above;
(i) Ministry of Commerce is facilitating the farmers of Baluchistan to
promote exports by addressing their problems in bringing their export
earnings proceeds from Iran.
(ii) Exporters from Baluchistan are of the view that they may be exempted
from the requirement of realization of their export proceeds in US
dollars and may be allowed by State Bank of Pakistan to accept
other commodities from Iran in lieu of their exported goods.
.
(iii) Ministry of Commerce has taken up the issue of traders from
Baluchistan with the State Bank of Pakistan through a letter from
38
Secretary Commerce to Governor State Bank of Pakistan and reply
in the matter is likely to be received soon.
(iv) Present government is undertaking a landport authority, whose
phase II will include will include Taftan Land port with Iran.
(b) Referred to Provincial Government as Infrastructure Development
(Farm to Market Access) is a provincial subject.
(i)
in order to enhance trade from Baluchistan, Gul train Project is also
under consideration. Gul train would be an international train freight
service between Islamabad and Istanbul via Tehran, Iran.
(ii) Ministry of Commerce has begun negotiating a new trilateral Transit&
Trade Agreement between Pakistan-Afghanistan and Tajikistan on
the basis of APTTA.
(iii) Federal government is considering a Quetta-Taftan highway to
facilitate trade with Iran.
(iv) Farmers of Baluchistan will benefit immediately from China trade
corridor that will link Gawadar with rest of the country.
MOHAMMAD RIAZ,
Secretary.
ISLAMABAD:
The 11th January, 2015.
PCPPI—2051(2015) NA—11-01-2015—650.
1
(17th Session)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT
————
“UNSTARRED QUESTIONS AND THEIR REPLIES”
For Monday, the 12th January, 2015
20.
Ms. Munaza Hassan:
(Deferred during 14th Session)
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
the total amount allocated for development programs/betterment of
educational standards and health of women in FATA during the year
2013-14 and 2014-15 alongwith the head-wise utilization thereof?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. General (Retd.) Abdul
Quadir Baloch] : Health Sector: The following amount has been allocated to
Health Sector during the fiscal year 2013-14 and 2014-15 for various programmes
approved by the competent forum for the betterment of health of women in FATA:—
————————————————————————————————
Name of program
2013-14
2014-15
————————————————————————————————
Allocation
Expdr.
Allocation
Expdr.
————————————————————————————————
Maternal Neonatal
37.803
37.797
4.728
0.728
Child Health Care
National Program
for family planning &
Primary health care
Population welfare FATA
238.043
238.043
46.74
46.74
42.8
41.823
11.759
10.736
Governor’s Rogh Sehat
0
0
143.7
0
Program FATA.
————————————————————————————————
2
————————————————————————————————
Name of program
2013-14
2014-15
————————————————————————————————
Allocation
Expdr.
Allocation
Expdr.
————————————————————————————————
Health Nutrition
0
0
52.641
0
program in FATA.
Incentive for Nursing
0
0.720
3.12
0.720
students of FATA.
————————————————————————————————
Total:318.646
318.383
262.688
58.924
—————————————————————————————————————
Detail of schemes under the above program is at Annexure-A.
Education Sector: During the year 2013-14 & 2014-15 the following
amount has been allocated and spent for the development program /betterment of
educational standards in FATA.
——————————————————————————————
Financial year
Allocation Expenditures
——————————————————————————————
2013-14
3676.093
3281.504
Detail of scheme is at
Annexure-B.
2014-15
3865.706
348.794
Detail of scheme is at
Annexure-C.
——————————————————————————————
Total:7541.799
3630.298
——————————————————————————————
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
121.
Dr. Nisar Ahmad Jatt:
(Deferred during 14th Session)
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that the Korean Government donated two
vehicles for the Pakistan Korea Garments Training Institute,
Karachi; and
3
(b) whether it is also a fact that the said vehicles are being misused;
if so, the action taken by the Ministry to prevent the same?
Reply not received.
32.
Shaikh Rohale Asghar
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the detail of
the efforts made by Pakistan at diplomatic level in the wake of
recent Israeli attacks on Ghaza?
Minister for Foreign Affairs:
Pakistan’s Reaction to Recent Israeli Aggression
•
Last summer, the international community helplessly witnessed brutal
carnage of innocent and unarmed Palestinians by Israel’s defence
forces. Israel used excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate
force with impunity.
•
Pakistan condemned, in the strongest terms, Israel’s aggression against
Palestinians and the atrocities committed by it in Gaza as well as its
attacks against the UN premises.
•
On 15 July 2014, Prime Minister called the naked and brutal Israeli
aggression against Palestinians in Gaza as “genocide” and urged the
international community to halt Israel’s brutal aggression. The Prime
Minister also expressed his sadness and disappointment at the silence
of the international community in the face of this injustice.
•
Under the instructions and the guidance of the Prime Minister,
Pakistan mobilized international opinion to end the ongoing atrocities
in Palestine due to Israel military offensive. We spoke clearly and
unambiguously in the United Nations Security Council and called for
an end to hostilities and to revive the peace talks. We also called on
the Security Council to act by adopting a resolution calling for an
immediate unconditional ceasefire, halt Israeli air, ground and naval
offensive, and remove Israeli forces from Gaza.
•
On 09 July 2014, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a press release,
expressed deep concern at the escalation of violence and loss of
4
lives in Gaza. The statement expressed Pakistan’s support for
international community’s efforts to bring about a cessation of unilateral
Israeli strikes, killing Palestinians including women and children.
•
The Permanent Representative of Pakistan in New York in a meeting
of UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian people held on 09 July 2014, condemned the brazen
violence by the occupying authorities and the resultant loss of life, as
well as the collective punishment being meted out to the Palestinian
people. He requested the international community to intercede to
end the cycle of violence and bring about a cessation of unilateral
Israeli strikes that indiscriminately killed Palestinian men, women and
children.
•
On 11 July 2014, Pakistanis held protest demonstration with others
across Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Representatives
of the government, political outfits and civil society expressed their
outrage on the streets and via resolutions.
•
The National Assembly Deputy Speaker attended the Troika meeting
of the Union of OIC members in the context of Gaza organized in
Tehran on 22 July 2014.
•
On the request of the State of Palestine supported by Pakistan,
21st Special Session of the Human Rights Council was convened on
23 July 2014. During the Session, Pakistan made statements on behalf
of the OIC as well as in its national capacity. Pakistan also introduced
a draft resolution on behalf of the OIC entitled “Ensuring Respect
for International Law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem” which was adopted by the Human Rights Council.
•
On 04 August 2014, the National Assembly passed a resolution
expressing strong support by Pakistan for the Palestinian cause while
condemning the Israeli aggression. The Government declared
17 August 2014 as Yaum-e-Palestine.
•
Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign
Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, while representing Pakistan in an
Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee on the
situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory held in Jeddah on
12 August 2014, criticized the helplessness and mute response of
international community during brutal carnage of innocent and unarmed
5
Palestinians by Israel’s defense forces. He called on international
community to make efforts to end Gaza blockade, release Palestinian
prisoners and consolidate an enduring ceasefire.
•
34.
Pakistan has contributed a sum of US $ one million for the UNRWA
flash appeal, which we made at the request of Palestinian authorities.
Mr. Muhammad Nazir Khan:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the category-wise recruitments/appointments made by all the
line departments in North Waziristan during last two years
alongwith the criteria adopted therefor; and
(b)
the total number of posts lying vacant in the said department at
present?
Reply not received.
113.
Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the total
amount of expenditure incurred on private and official visits made
in the country and abroad alongwith the names of places visited by
the President during the last one year?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: The total expenditure incurred on the
official foreign visits to the President during the last one year is given in the table
below:
——————————————————————————————
Sr. No.
Country
Dates of Visits
Expenditure
——————————————————————————————
1. South Africa
9-11 December 2013 Rs. 2.8 million
(To attend the funeral of
Mr. Nelson Mandela)
——————————————————————————————
6
——————————————————————————————
Sr. No.
Country
Dates of Visits
Expenditure
——————————————————————————————
2. China
18-22 February 2014 Rs. 13.3 million
(Official Visit)
3.
Afghanistan
(Official Visit)
27 March 2014
Rs. 0.4 million
4.
China
(To attend the CICA
Summit)
20-21 May 2014
Rs. 10.3 million
5.
Nigeria
(Official Visit)
9-11 June 2014
Rs. 9.1 million
6.
Turkey
(to attend the inauguration
of the new Turkish
President)
28-30 August 2014
Rs. 2.9 million
7.
Afghanistan
29 September 2014
Rs. 1.02 million
(To attend the inauguration
of the new Afghan President)
——————————————————————————————
Total expenditure Rs. 39.8 million
——————————————————————————————
2. The President’s expenditure on visits within the country is not dealt
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
118.
Mr. Shahab Ud Din Khan:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the total number of families affected by militancy were approved
for compensation by FATA Disaster Management Authority;
(b) the total number of individuals compensated so far; and
7
(c)
whether any mechanism has been evolved to verify and monitor
the said process; if so, the details thereof?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. General (Retd.) Abdul
Quadir Baloch] : (a) “Due to militancy in FATA, a total of 467,911 has been
dislocated from all over the FATA as per statement placed at (Annexure-I).
As per policy, all the NADRA verified families are entitled for relief package.
Govt. of Pakistan has released a sum of Rs. 3051.875 Million on account of
payment of one time cash grant to 122,075 NADRA families whereas demand of
funds for the remaining families is under process of approval by the Federal
Government (Annexure-II).
In addition to above payment of compensation to the owners of private
houses damaged due to militancy in Bajaur & Mohmand Agencies has been made
@ Rs. 400,000/- per fully damaged house and @ Rs. 160,000/- per partially
damaged house. A total of Rs. 2879 million have been sanctioned under Housing
Uniform Assistance Subsidy Project (HUASP) with the support of USAID.
(Annexure-III).
Moreover, the Federal Government has sanctioned Rs.6066 million for
payment of monthly cash assistance and allied expenditures relating to North TDPs.”
(b) “As already explained, payment of relief package is sanctioned in
favour of Head of Household (HoH) instead of individuals except payment of
housing compensation which has been paid individually to the owner of private
houses in Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies as per detail given in the statement
placed at Annexure-III above.”
(c) “Payment of one time return cash @ Rs. 25000/- has been made by
Special Services Group (SSG) of HQ 11 Corps to the returnees belonging to
Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies/ whereas funds for Orakzai and South Waziristan
Agencies have been released to the concerned Political Agents. Funds for Tirah
returnees of Khyber Agency to the tune of Rs.100 Million released to FDMA
which has been disbursed amongst 4000 returnee families through CNIC recorded
cheques in the name of NADRA verified Head of Housescholds (HoH)”.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
8
119.
Mr. Shahab Ud Din Khan:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that the bribery and visa scams are being
faced by our workers in the gulf at the hands of their Kafeels/
sponsors; if so, the details thereof; and
(b)
the steps being taken by the Ministry to lessen the delay in
dispatching the dead bodies of Pakistani workers by the Saudi
Government at present?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: The country wise response to these queries
is given below:
Saudi Arabia
(a) Visa Scam: The issuance of fake visas from Saudi Arabia is a
sensitive issue, as such cases keep on surfacing continually. Usually
the fake visas of Saudi companies are stolen/issued by the concerned
staff of the companies (without the knowledge of the top management
of the Company) in connivance with ill-reputed recruitment companies
in Pakistan and their agents in the Kingdom. This results in the highly
undesirable exploitation of the innocent/poor Pakistani workers who
pay heavily for these stolen visas and face numerous problems on
their arrival in the Kingdom. In the recent past, scams of fake visas
involving M/s MAAPA Construction Company and M/s Sulaiman al
Qadeebi Company can be cited as examples where hundreds of
fake/stolen visas were processed by the Overseas Employment
promoters (OEPs).
(b) Dispatch of dead bodies: The Embassy of Pakistan, Riyadh gives
top priority to attend the cases of dead bodies of deceased Pakistanis:
may it be transportation back to Pakistan or its local burial in the
Kingdom depending upon the choice of the legal heirs and in
accordance with the local laws. The transportation of dead bodies
of Pakistanis back home involves a number of steps including (a) site
inspection of the place of death by local police or by traffic police in
case of road traffic accident; (b) compilation of police report and
9
identifying cause of death; (c) issuance of medical report from the
hospital stating the cause and manner of death; (d) issuance of death
notification by the hospital and Ministry of Health, KSA; (e) issuance
of death certificate by “Ahwaal Madani” (Civil Affairs); (f) execution/
dispatch of Power of Attorney by the legal heirs; (g) issuance of
NOC from the concerned embassy/consulate; (h) clearance of dues/
end of service benefits by the employer/kafeel in the concerned labour
office; (i) final clearance letter by the concerned police station for the
release/handing over the dead body from the hospital to the authorized
person; (j) stamping of Final Exit by the Immigration authority; and
(k) cargo booking for transportation of dead body in any available
flight of Airlines.
In case of deaths of Pakistani nationals in road traffic accidents or natural
deaths, above mentioned procedure do not take more than five working days,
however, considerable delay is caused in following cases due to a number of
reasons enumerated as follows: (a) in case of suspicion of murder or presence of
any evidence of any criminal intent requiring PME (Post Mortem Examination) to
ascertain the real cause of death and fixing of responsibility; (b) in case the Kafeel
of the deceased is untraceable (normally in case of Azad Visas); (c) Noncooperation
of the Kafeel/employer; (d) in case the deceased had any pending fines/financial
liability either to the State or to a private party; (e) in case some moveable or
immovable property was in his ownership; and (f) in case the deceased was an
illegal immigrant or wanted by the host government in some criminal case.
According to the prevailing local laws, the responsibility to complete the
above mentioned procedure and clearance dead body rests with the employer/
kafeel of the deceased. The role of the embassy with regard to the said procedure
is restricted to issuance of NOC for the transportation of dead body to Pakistan
after obtaining required documents from the attorney/employer. However, the
Embassy takes the following steps to ensure earliest transportation of the dead
bodies of Pakistani nationals in routine cases or in case of delay due to any one of
the above mentioned reasons: (a) NOC is issued by the embassy at Riyadh by the
officials of the Welfare Wing without any delay during the office hours. While
appointed embassy officials remains present at the embassy gate after office hours
including closed holidays to facilitate our nationals in obtaining the NOC without
any inconvenience; (b) the Embassy has devised a mechanism, whereby volunteers
from Pakistani community have been entrusted with the responsibility to issue
NOC and pursue the matter with the relevant Saudi authorities; (c) The procedure
for obtaining NOC from the Embassy of Pakistan is described on Embassy’s
10
official website besides publishing it in the Embassy’s monthly magazine “HalaateNau”; and (d) Embassy staff/officials of Welfare Wing of this Mission pursue the
case with the concerned authorities both formally and informally.
Due to concerted efforts by our Embassy, the procedure for dispatching
the dead bodies has become far easier as compared to previous cumbersome
procedure which required clearance from the local Governorate office also.
Bahrain
No major case of visa scam or bribery has been reported to Embassy of
Pakistan in Manama by any individual or party. However, the problems being
faced by Pakistani workforce at the hands of their kafeels/sponsors mainly relate
to delayed payments of their salaries, confiscation of their passports, non-provision
of good living conditions, etc. Our Embassy promptly conveys these issues to
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior and Labour Market Regulatory Authority for their
early settlement/redress.
Kuwait
Kuwait government has imposed visa restrictions on Pakistani nationals
since May 2011. No new visa is being issued to Pakistani nationals. Therefore, no
case of bribery or visa scam, faced by workers in Kuwait at the hands of kafeel/
sponsor, has come to our Mission’s notice. Visas of Pakistani workers already in
Kuwait are renewed by themselves without involving our Mission.
Oman
It is a common practice in Oman for the sponsors to demand money from
their employees to get their identity cards issued and visas (Bataqas) renewed
after every two years. There have been many cases in which needful is not done
even after taking a bribe. Sponsors hold passports of their employees in custody
as a safety measure but employees are exploited by such means. Even when
courts decide in favour of employee, no punitive action is taken against sponsor.
Qatar
No case of bribery or visa scam has been reported to Embassy of Pakistan
in Doha.
11
UAE
Despite mechanisms that are in place both in Pakistan as well as in the
UAE, there are still occasional cases where kafeels/employers exploit the workers
in collaboration with Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs). As per information
of our Missions, some kafeels/employers provide free visas and some charge cost
between AED 2,000 to AED 4,000 per visa from the Overseas Employment
Promoters (OEPs), which is subsequently charged by the OEPs to the workers.
Some kafeels/employers exploit their workers to tender resignation or get their
visas cancelled before expiry of two years contract and some blackmail their
workers by declaring them absconders or lodging forged cases against them to
leave the company.
Whenever such cases are reported, our Missions approach Ministry of
Labour to ascertain veracity of claims; once veracity is ascertained, compensation
is demanded for workers from the concerned parties; and local remedies available
for such cases, including labour and immigration courts are approached for
settlement in favour of our manpower.
To streamline the process of recruitment of labour, the Government of
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are currently negotiating an MoU in the
Field of Manpower which seeks to improve scrutiny of stakeholders and processes
involved in the hiring of Pakistani workers by UAE companies.
120.
Alhaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
whether it is a fact that President of Pakistan announced the Jamroad
and Landi Kotal Degree Colleges as Post Graduate Colleges during
his recent visit to Peshawar; if so, the progress made in the regard, so
far?
Reply not received.
121.
Sahibzada Tariq Ullah:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources
Development be pleased to state:
12
(a)
the details of SROs Memos/Notifications issued by the Ministry
relating to its attached departments to regulate and administer
for the welfare of the public and for other purposes during the
years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and
(b)
the purpose of issuing those SROs Memos/Notifications alongwith
copies thereof?
Reply not received.
122.
Sahibzada Tariq Ullah:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the details of SROs Memos/Notifications issued by the Ministry
relating to its attached departments to regulate and administer
for the welfare of the public and for other purposes during the
years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and
(b)
the purpose of issuing those SROs Memos/Notifications alongwith
the copies thereof?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. General (Retd.) Abdul
Quadir Baloch] : (a) & (b) No SROs Memos/Notification have been issued by
the Ministry of States d and Frontier Regions to its attached department during the
period in question. Therefore the reply is NIL.
47.
Shamas Un Nisa:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state the steps
recently taken by the Government to improve the production of cotton
crop as compared to previous year?
Minister for Textile Industry: (Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi):
Horizontal Growth:
i.
PCCC is conducting farmers training programs to influence cotton
growers to bring more area under cotton right before the sowing of
cotton starts.
13
ii.
Efforts are being made to maximize area under cotton out of 200,000
acres in Gomal Zam command area in D I Khan (KP).
iii.
Cotton cultivation in Baluchistan has been facilitated by establishing
a new research station in Lasbela with collaboration of Lasbela
University of Agriculture water and Marine Sciences.
iv.
Field Staff of Agriculture Department of KP and Baluchistan were
trained at Multan and Faisalabad in Cotton Production Technology.
Vertical Growth:
v.
Promising varieties which are tolerant to Cotton Leaf Curl Virus
(CLCV) developed by PCCC and other public and private research
system are being tested for release to enhance cotton production as
CLCV is the largest hindrance to cotton maximization.
vi.
Bt cotton varieties were developed and released through legal system.
vii. To increase the cotton fiber quality, a Cotton Ginning Institute is
being established in Multan with the objective to produce world class
quality fiber from cotton.
viii. All efforts have been undertaken by the government to ensure sufficient
and timely availability of quality inputs (agricultural credit, irrigation
water, fertilizers, seeds, weedicides, pesticides etc.) to ensure high
level of cotton production.
ix.
Cotton Leaf Curl Virus issue is being addressed through a “Pak-US
Cotton Productivity Enhancement Programme” with objective to
strengthen national cotton R&D system especially for the development
of virus resistant varieties.
Public and Private sector R&D organizations were provided with
germplasm to facilitate them to develop high yielding cotton varieties.
48.
Ms. Shaista Pervaiz:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
the company wise details of the premium collected and claims
settled by the public as well as Private Insurance Companies
during the last five years including the current year;
14
(b) whether the Government has taken note of the difficulties being
faced by claimants in getting claims from the Insurance
Companies including delay in the settlement of claims and
demand of additional documents at the time of final settlement;
if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government in
this regard?
Reply not received.
49.
Syed Waseem Hussain:
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development be pleased to refer to un-starred Question No.115 replied
on 03-03-2014 and to state:
(a)
as to when evening classes were started in the Folks Grammer
School, Serai Naurang, Khyber Pukhtunkwa; and
(b) the names and fathers’ names of teachers of BPS-14, who served
in evening shift of the above mentioned school during the period
from 01-07-2011 to 31-12-2011?
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development. (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a) Evening classes in
the Working Folks Grammar Higher Secondary School, Serai Naurang, Khyber
Puktunkhwa were started in March 2011.
(b) Names and fathers names of teachers (BPS-14) who served in the
evening shift at Working Folks Grammar Higher Secondary School, Serai Naurang,
Khyber Puktunkhwa during the period from 01-07-2011 to
31-12-2011 are as under:—
——————————————————————————————
Sr.# Name of Teacher
Father Name
——————————————————————————————
1. Ms. Gul Nazmina
Gul Sherbat Khan
2. Ms. Nusrat Jahan
Khan Zaman
——————————————————————————————
15
——————————————————————————————
Sr.# Name of Teacher
Father Name
——————————————————————————————
3. Ms. Samreen
Shafi Ullah Khan
4.
Mr. Amjad Khan
Muhammad Nawaz
5.
Mr. Muhammad Usman Khan
Noor Aslam
6.
Mr. lmran Ullah
Atlas Khan
7. Mr. Shifa Ullah
Noor Ali Khan
8. Mr. Rehmat Ullah
Aman Ullah
9. Mr. Qayum Khan
Aziz Khan
——————————————————————————————
50.
Ms. Sabiha Nazir:
Will the Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination be pleased to
state whether it is a fact that the Pakistan Hockey Team failed to
qualify for the World Cup event this year; if so, the steps being taken
by the Government to improve the position thereof?
Minister For Interprovincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Husain
Pirzada) : Pakistan Hockey Federation has informed that it was most unfortunate
that the Pakistan Hockey team did not qualify for the World Cup Hockey
Tournament played at Rotterdam/Netherland in 2014. Prominently, the reasons
and various factors could be considered as impediments:—
•
Introduction of artificial surface has completely changed the
complexion of the game.
•
Change of Rules that mostly suit the Europeans.
•
Hockey equipments have become very expensive.
•
Technological/scientific advancement in the hockey sports.
•
Professionalism in sports-qualified people.
•
Lack of sporting culture.
•
Lack of physical infrastructure.
•
Lack of expertise.
•
Poor financial health.
16
•
Gradual elimination of Club/School Hockey.
•
Requirement of modern facilities.
•
Traditional facilities to the players.
•
Organizational inadequacies.
•
There were no incentives to lure the players to give their best.
•
The elimination of sports quota for admission in the Educational
Institutions.
•
The withdrawal of Railway concession for sports teams.
•
Lack of employment facilities on sports basis.
•
The downsizing enforced in various Organizations, in particular closing
down their sports sections.
•
Apathy of the print & electronic media. In particular lack of proper
projection by the PTV.
•
There is no sporting culture, as such, which needs to be inculcated.
After the creation of Pakistan, the entire nation set upon strengthening the
foundations of the country and worked hard for its glorification and veneration.
Like all other departments, sports, particularly Hockey took up the challenge. By
early eighties, the national hockey team had clinched almost all the titles of the
world and performed Grand Slam.
Like other aspects of our national life, the anti climax brought many a
reversals to the national team, which started losing one title after the other, barring
its winning the Champions Trophy, the World Cup in 1994 and 17th Asian Games
2014, which titles were reclaimed after 12,14 &16 years, respectively.
Nurseries at grass-root level are established and proper nurtured for
grooming the players. To impart them scientific training, a cadre of qualified coaches
has been prepared. These coaches are exposed to international meets/conferences/
clinics in order to further improve upon their proficiency and to disseminate
knowledge to the budding players.
The other factor, in which actions were initiated was grooming of the
technical expertise. The PHF is organizing Clinics for Coaches, Umpires & Technical
Officials on a regular basis, for both genders. The Courses & Clinics would continue
as a part of PHF Development Plan. Presently the National Umpires Clinic, National
17
Coaches Clinic, Anti-doping Seminar for players/officials and Course for Technical
Officials are underway. We hope to have more of our Umpires/Coach/Technical
Officials groomed to be picked-up by the FIH for enlistment as internationals.
As of the third factor, for the gradual elimination of Club and School Hockey
activities, efforts had been made for its revival. Inter School Hockey activity was
held in Punjab and Sindh. Tournaments of the younger age group players were
organized and in open trials held all over Pakistan, players of U-18 years of age
were selected. The Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education was granted
‘playing –rights'’in PHF activities at junior level.
51.
Syed Asif Hasnain:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state the quantity of
cotton imported/exported during current year 2014 alongwith value
thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan) : The quantity
and value of cotton imported/exported during the current year 2014
(Jan-November) is as under:
——————————————————————————————
Jan-November 2014-15
Raw Cotton
Quantity M.T
Value Million US$
——————————————————————————————
Exports
97427
164.5
Imports
235979
499.5
——————————————————————————————
Source: PBS
52.
Syed Asif Hasnain:
Will the Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination be pleased to state
the steps being taken by the Government for the betterment/promotion
of Hockey in Pakistan?
Minister For Interprovincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Husain
Pirzada) : Hockey is the game of our national pride and it has played a very vital
role in winning laurels and good name to Pakistan in the International arena.
Unfortunately, like all other spheres of our social life, melancholy has beset in and
18
the performance of our national hockey team had not only been inconsistent but
took a nosedive.
Without being despondent and analyzing the various factors leading to
disgusting performance and conditions of the team, it was considered essential
that full attention be focused on promoting the game at grass-root-level.
18 Astroturf fields have been laid and are functional in different cities of
Pakistan for playing hockey.
Hockey is our National Game and Pakistan Hockey Federation is affiliated
with PSB for promotion and development of Hockey in the country. However, the
Federal Government is providing all possible help and assistance to Pakistan
Hockey Federation.
The Federal Government has provided the following assistance to Pakistan
Hockey Federation through PSB:—
a.
Annual and Special grants by the Government. Annual grants are
meant for holding mandatory annual championships as well as day to
day expenses of the Federations. Special grants are released for
participation of Pakistan Sports teams in international tournaments
at home and abroad.
b.
The Government provides funds to Pakistan Hockey Federation for
implementation of Master Plan for promotion of Hockey.
c.
Development of Sports infrastructure in the country including of
synthetic hockey turfs.
The new management decided to expand the base of Hockey all over
Pakistan and catch the talent in its prime and through regular sports academics,
the players were prepared. The PHF Executive Board and PHF Congress
appreciated the bold steps taken by the management in the history of Pakistan
Hockey for the rejuvenation of the game approved the following project:1.
ACADEMIES:
According to the detail outline in the Master Plan each academy will have 30-33
players selected by the Selection Committee nominated by the PHF. For their,
selection the players shall report at the ground/venue, which will be notified in the
Press.
19
The players will be of school going age and studying in 8th, 9th, & 10th
classes. Every year, when the players of 10th class have vacated, as a regular
system, those of the players of 9th class would be promoted to next cadre and
similarly students of 8th to next cadre. For the vacancy created in 8th class, next
batch of 11 players would be selected and every year the rotation will carry on.
The selected players of the Academy are living in their own homes and are
reporting at the Coaching Centres daily, for coaching.
There was nothing wrong with the system but for prevailing socio-economic
conditions, it was considered appropriate that the players should be imparted
coaching instructions in their home towns and they would be staying with their
parents in their homes.
Under the project of establishing Hockey Academies at 18 centres where
abundant talent is available, namely:
Karachi (2), Hyderabad, Lahore (2), Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Gojra,
Bahawalpur, Bannu, Abbottabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin,
Sheikhupura, Vehari and Multan. (Karachi & Lahore being metropolitian have
two each).
2.
DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE:
The coaching and umpiring clinics, courses and workshops were organized
with the help of FIH Course Conductors at national and regional levels to groom
coaches and umpires on modern scientific lines. PHF management has groomed
at least 55 umpires and 70 coaches. This exercise is regularized under PHF
Development Plan and is also implemented at regional, district level by the Provincial
Hockey Associations.
3.
CASH AWARDS
The Government has approved a cash award policy. The medal winners
in Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth, World Cup, Champion Trophy and Regional
Games are award cash incentives.
4.
TRAINING CAMPS
Pakistan Sports Board also bears training camp expenses of the hockey
teams (Junior & Senior) before participation in any mega events.
20
53.
Sahibzada Tariq Ullah:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state the names,
parentage, designation, educational qualifications and place of
domicile of the persons with disabilities appointed in BPS-1 to
BPS-20 on regular, contract and daily wages basis in said division
during the period from 1st January, 2008 to 1st May, 2012
alongwith the details of present job status of each employee thereof?
Minister for Textile Industry: (Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi): No
appointment of Disable Persons on Regular, Contract and Daily Wages were
made in Ministry of Textile Industry against 2% reserved quota in BPS-01 to
BPS-20 during the period from 1st January, 2008 to 1st may, 2012.
54.
Sahibzada Tariq Ullah
Will the Minister for Textile industry be pleased to state:
(a)
the details of SROs Memoranda and Notifications issued by the
Ministry relating to its attached departments to regulate and
administer for the welfare of the public and for other purposes
during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013-14; and
(b)
the purpose of issuing SROs Memos/Notifications alongwith the
copies thereof?
Reply not received.
55.
Mr. Imran Zafar Leghari:
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development be pleased to state the steps taken by the Government
so far to impart skill development through trainings/ workshops to
unemployed youth to make them useful citizens and contribute to
wellbeing of economy?
Transferred to Federal Education and Professional Training Division for
answer on Next Rota Day.
21
56.
Mr. Imran Zafar Leghari:
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development be pleased to state the steps being taken by Government
to send/export skilled manpower of Pakistan to other countries?
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): The large chunk of export of
manpower is catered through private sector at both ends i.e labour sending and
receiving countries. We regulate and facilitate the overseas employment promoters
(OEP) in all legal aspects. Presently, more than 1850 OEPs are operating all over
the country. Since 1971 to 2014 about 8 million Pakistanis have proceeded abroad.
During the year 2014, ever highest number of Pakistanis i.e., 752,463, have
proceeded to different countries of the world. Besides that:
•
Ministry adopts multiple strategies to facilitate skilled workers to
find jobs in foreign countries. It includes signing of Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU), holding meetings of Joint Ministerial
Commission (JMC) in order to find ways and means to boost export
of manpower.
•
19 Community Welfare Attaches in 14 manpower-import rich
countries make constant efforts to enhance export of manpower.
•
Ministry issues licenses to the Overseas Employment Promoters who
make all possible efforts to obtain manpower demands especially
from private sector of manpower importing countries.
•
Ministry also tries to get manpower demands from foreign countries
(generally from public sector) through Overseas Employment
Corporation.
•
Ministry is chalking out a strategy to export maximum manpower to
Gulf countries especially to UAE and Qatar since two mega events
(EXPO 2020 in UAE and FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar) are
taking place in these countries.
MOHAMMAD RIAZ,
Secretary.
ISLAMABAD:
The 11th January, 2015.
PCPPI—2051(2015) NA—11-01-2015—650.