1. law, govt and politics
2. government

1
(20th 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
Friday, the 20th March, 2015
33.
*Ms. Belum Hasnain:
(Deferred during 18th Session)
Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development be pleased to state:
(a)
the details of the residential/housing schemes or allocation of a
specific sector or percentage in the Government residential
schemes for Overseas Pakistanis; and
(b) whether it is a fact that Overseas Pakistanis are being deprived
of their precious lands by the corrupt mafia of revenue
department; if so, the steps taken by the Government to address
the said issue?
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a)
“
Ministry of Housing & Works has informed that at present there is
no residential/housing scheme launched specifically for overseas
Pakistanis nor any specific quota is available for them in any housing
schemes.
(b)
“
Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) has not received any
complaint regarding involvement of Revenue Departments in
depriving overseas Pakistanis of their lands. However, 238 complaints
have been received during the year 2014 against Qabza Groups,
property disputes etc. which have been taken up immediately with
the concerned departments i.e. DCOs, DPOs and other concerned
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authorities. Accordingly, 166 cases have been settled/resolved
whereas remaining 72 cases are under process with the concerned
authorities and being pursued vigorously by OPF for their early
settlement. Details of settled and under process cases is attached as
Annex-I.
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
48.
*Ms. Aisha Syed:
(Deferred during 18th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the
performance made by the Jeddah Consulate during the year 2014
alongwith the details thereof?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: The Consulate General of Pakistan, Jeddah
covers western region of Saudi Arabia, and works under the supervision of our
ambassador in Riyadh. It caters to more than one million Pakistani expatriates
living within its jurisdiction. Performance of the Consulate in 2014 has been, as
under:—
Consular-related matters:
“
Details of consular services provided by the Mission in 2014 are:
————————————————————————————————
S. No. Description (No. of Documents issued)
Total Number
————————————————————————————————
1.
Machine Readable Passports (MRP)
141,081
2.
Manual Passports
22,907
3.
Endorsement Cases/Additional/Renewal
2,746
4.
Emergency Passports
5,696
5.
Emergency passports for detainees (for their
deportation to Pakistan)
38,275
6.
Attestation cases
33,155
7.
Visas Issued
3,206
————————————————————————————————
“
Welfare-related activities:
Details of welfare services provided to the community during 2014 are as
follows:—
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4
2. The MRP (Machine Readable Passport) facility was doubled in 2014,
which has relieved burden on the existing infrastructure and has streamlined the
delivery. This has greatly facilitated the Pakistani community.
3. At the request of our Consulate, the Saudi authorities had eased the
legal burden and payment of fines on illegal Pakistanis for their repatriation to
Pakistan in cases of those who had overstayed after performance of Umra or had
run away from their Kafeels.
185. *Mr. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi:
(Deferred during 18th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affair be pleased to state:
(a)
the names of five major countries having maximum Pakistanis
immigrants at present alongwith their strength; and
(b)
the nature of foreign relations with those countries at present?
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Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a)
——————————————————————————————
Sr. No. Country
Number of Pakistanis
(estimated)
——————————————————————————————
1.
Saudi Arabia
1,900,000
2.
UK
1,510,836
3.
UAE
1,200,000
4.
USA
900,000
5.
Canada
300,000
——————————————————————————————
(b) 1. Saudi Arabia:
Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are exemplary.
We attach great importance to our close fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia. The
bilateral relation is marked by mutual respect and interest. Saudi Arabia has always
provided solid support to Pakistan in times of need, which is invariably reciprocated
by Pakistan .
2. UK
Pakistan–UK relations are a priority in our foreign policy. The UK is
Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner (after Germany) and largest investor in
Pakistan from the European Union. There are over 100 British companies operating
in Pakistan. In 2013-14, the volume of trade between the two countries was
US$2.16 billion. The presence of over one million Pakistanis reinforces the
Pakistan-UK relationship. The UK is an important development partner. The UK
Department for International Development (DFID) initiated a new Operational
Plan (2011-2015) which envisages assistance of almost £.1.4 billion over four
years. The Plan makes Pakistan the largest recipient of UK’s development
assistance in the world.
3.
UAE:
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates enjoy fraternal relations which are
deep seated in shared history, religion and culture. Pakistan greatly values its bond
of brotherhood with the UAE and is keen to expand cooperation with it in various
areas of mutual interest.
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4.
USA
Relations with the United States constitute an important element of
Pakistan’s foreign policy. Bilateral relationship, spanned over more than six decades,
is robust and wide ranging. United States is Pakistan’s largest trade partner and
the biggest source of foreign investment. The two countries enjoy strong ties in
defense field. The large Pakistani community in the US also bonds the two countries.
The visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Washington from 20-23 October
2013 renewed cooperation in all the fields. Pak-US relations should continue to
grow stronger.
5.
Canada
Pakistan-Canada relations are based on strong foundations of friendship,
mutual respect and cooperation. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth
and other international bodies. Canada is appreciative of the democratic process
in Pakistan and is supportive of the government. Canada has been a long term
partner in Pakistan’s developmental programs. A number of important development
projects were completed with Canadian cooperation, such as the Warsak Dam.
The institutional mechanism of Bilateral Consultations between the Foreign
Ministries of the two countries exists to promote cooperation. A large Pakistani
community in Canada further bonds the two countries. Pak-Canada relationship
should grow from strength to strength.
91.
*Ms. Aasiya Nasir:
Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) whether youth belonging to Minorities have been included in
various sports teams including Cricket, Football, Hockey,
Squash and Athletic during the last five years till date;
(b)
if so, the details; if not, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Hussain
Pirzada): (a) Pakistan Sports Board has affiliated 39 National Sports Federations
which are responsible for promotion of their respective sport in the country without
any discrimination. In accordance with International Olympic Movement ensuring
that there shall be no discrimination on the grounds of gender, politics, race, religion,
faith, belief or creed/dogma. As required, the information in respect of Cricket,
Football Hockey, Athletics and Squash is given below:—
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1.
Cricket
Detail of youth belonging to Minorities included in cricket teams during
the last five year till date is at Annexure-I.
2.
Pakistan Football Federation
Pakistan Football Federation has always encouraged and given equal
opportunity to all Pakistani National irrespective of their class, colour, creed or
religion.
3.
Pakistan Hockey Federation
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is administering, governing,
organizing, controlling and promoting the game of ‘Hockey’ in Pakistan. In order
to pick the talented players, PHF announces in the print and electronic media for
‘open trials’ all over Pakistan and there is no restriction/limitation for any individual
to appear for trials.
4.
Pakistan Squash Federation
The National Sports Federations are responsible for selection of National
Teams and their systematic development. The sportspersons are included in various
sports teams including Football, Hockey, Squash and Athletics by their respective
selection committees on merit without any discrimination whether the players belong
to minority or majority. As such there is no quota system in selection.
5.
Athletics Federation of Pakistan
In Athletics, equal opportunities are provided to all youth athletes for
participation and excellence without any discrimination of religion. race or creed.
Those who perform well at National and International level are rewarded whether
they belong to minority or majority.
(b) Both senior and junior national Hockey teams are selected through
open trials. There is ‘no quota system’ in the game of hockey.
Similarly, in Football, Athletics and Squash, it is practice in vogue, that the
selection committees formed by the federations selects the players on merit without
any discrimination of minority or majority and the athletes those performs better
they remain in the National teams.
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Mr. Waris Masih is an example of athletics, who remained National top
athlete in 5000m, 10000m & Marathon race and kept on representing the country
abroad for a long time. At present Mr. Haroon Gill and Miss Martha are upcoming
athletes. It is hoped that they will become national champion and will represent the
country. Similarly in Squash the players are selected in the National sides by virtue
of their performance. Vis-e-vis Mr. Kashif Asif from Lahore belong to minority
and is playing in Qatar Junior International, Doha Junior International Squash
Championship 2015. He has already won the final Under-17 age group during
Qatar Junior.
Pakistan Football Federation has always provided equal opportunities to
the players without any discrimination. A list of all time minority Football players who
had participated at National and International level is attached at Annexure-II.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
92.
*Ms. Nighat Parveen Mir:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state the benefits accrued
and losses caused to Pakistan through the Afghanistan Transit Trade
during the last two years alongwith the details thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): The
APTTA-2010 was signed by Pakistan in view of the bilateral relations between
the two neighboring states. According to the international transit trade practices,
no duties and taxes are levied on the goods in transit. Therefore, no direct revenue
is generated through transit. In the wake of APTTA-2010, however, Pakistan’s
economy benefits in the following ways:
(i)
Pakistani ports get business and the Terminal Operators receive
considerable amounts in the shape of port charge, scanning fees etc.
for handling of the transit trade cargo.
(ii) The freight forwarders, and carrier equipment handlers also benefit
from the transit trade in monetary terms.
(iii) The transport companies also earn on account of transportation of
the transit cargo to and from Afghanistan.
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(iv) Multiple business involving private sectors throughout the country
alongside the transit trade routes also get a boost due to the volume
of transit trade cargo.
(v)
The cargo handlers including the Customs agent, Shipping Agents,
Border Agents, Trackers Installing Companies, etc. also benefit from
the transit trade.
In the light of above, though the benefits accrued to Pakistan from APTTA
2010 cannot be quantified in monetary terms, different sectors of Pakistan’s
economy benefited from the transit trade to and from Afghanistan. However, transit
through a country may result in smuggling and pilferage in the country leading to
loss of revenue. In order to plug this, FBR has put in place effective enforcement
mechanism by installing trackers on prime movers and containers and through
electronic exchange of data.
Apart from transit trade arrangements, Afghanistan is one of the largest
trading partners of Pakistan with the bilateral trade hovering at US$ 2 billion
5 year Pak- Afghan bilateral trade statistics are as under:—
(Value in Million US$)
————————————————————————————————
Years
Exports
Imports
Total
————————————————————————————————
2009-10
1571.5
139.3
1710.8
2010-11
2336.7
172
2508.7
2011-12
2249.6
199.4
2449
2012-13
2066
287.8
2353.8
2013-14
1870.5
359.6
2030.1
————————————————————————————————
93.
*Ms. Nighat Parveen Mir:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the steps
being taken by the Government to release the Pakistani prisoners
from the jails of Afghanistan?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: Release of the Pakistani nationals detained
in Afghanistan is a matter of high priority. The Government of Pakistan has been in
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active liaison with the Afghan authorities. Following steps have been taken to
ensure welfare/early release of Pakistani nationals detained in Afghanistan Jails:
(i)
Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Commission has been formed to address
the pressing issue of the prisoners detained in both the countries.
First meeting of the Joint Commission is expected in near future.
(ii) Our Missions in Kabul keep active liaison with the Afghan law
enforcement agencies for consular access to the detained Pakistani
nationals. Consular Teams of the Embassy visit our nationals
imprisoned in Afghan jails/detention centers.
(iii) The problems shared by the Pakistani detainees are formally taken
up with the Afghan authorities for remedial measures.
(iv) Our Mission arranges lawyer and provide other possible assistance
of blankets, medicines etc. to ameliorate the difficulties of the
prisoners.
94.
(v) A Prisoner Exchange Agreement is being negotiated between the
two countries.
*Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the losses to life and property caused due to drone attacks in
FATA alongwith the details thereof; and
(b) whether the aggrieved have been compensated therefor by the
Government?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch): (a) “So far 2199 are reportedly killed, 282 sustained
injuries while 208 houses and 59 vehicles damaged.”
(b) “After proper verification so far, 43 dead and 07 injured persons
have been compensated. As over whelming majority of killed and injured is of
terrorist/militants including foreigners. Besides, Operation is still going on in Federally
Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA), therefore, exact figure of innocent civilian
reportedly killed and injured cannot be ascertained. As soon as report for killed/
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injured innocent civilian is received, and it is verified by the Political Administration
Compensation is paid to the legal hairs.”
“For this purpose funds are available with Political Administration.”
95.
*Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a) the country-wise total number of the vehicle’s scanners planned
to import during the tenure of previous Government alongwith
the cost thereof;
96.
(b)
the total number of said scanners imported alongwith the
locations of installation thereof;
(c)
the performance of the said scanners; and
(d)
the number of such scanners proved useful alongwith the present
condition thereof?
Transferred to Interior Division for answer on Next Rota Day.
*Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that 700,000 tons of wheat has been imported
by the present Government from Ukraine; if so, the justification
thereof; and
(b)
whether any coordination was made with the Provincial
Governments as well as the Ministry of National Food Security
and Research for the import of said wheat; if not, the reasons
thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) The
Government has not imported any wheat during the last one year from any country
including Ukraine. However, as Pakistan follows an open-market trade policy,
agricultural commodities including wheat are freely importable in the country. Due
to the lower prices of wheat in the international. market, the private sector imported
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686,55( MT wheat from Russian, Ukraine and Moldova till February 2015.
(b) As the wheat was imported by the private sector, no coordination
was required betweer, Provincial Governments and Ministry National Food
Security & Research.
97.
*Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a) the action plan made by the Government to ensure safe
repatriation of the Afghan Refugees by the end of 2015; and
(b)
whether billions of rupees are being spent for acquiring new
land for camps of Refugees by the Ministry; if so, the justification
thereof?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch): (a) The repatriation of registered Afghan refugees is being
carried out under the Tripartite Agreement signed between Governments of
Pakistan, Afghanistan and UNHCR, valid upto 31st December, 2015. The objective
of the Commission is to facilitate the voluntary repatriation in conditions of safety
and dignity of Afghan refugees.
To deal with the issue of repatriation of registered Afghan refugees, a
Ministerial Committee has been constituted to find ways & means to ensure
expeditious voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees and their reintegration inside
Afghanistan. Efforts are being made to repatriate maximum number of Afghan
refugees till the given date i.e. 31st December, 2015.
(b) No new land for refugees camp has been acquired by the Ministry
of SAFRON or any Provincial Government.
98.
*Ms. Khalida Mansoor:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) the steps being taken by Pakistan to become a permanent
member of the Security Council; and
(b) the policy of the Government regarding India’s membership of
the said Council?
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Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) Pakistan is not an aspirant to the
permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
(b) Our position regarding the Security Council reform is based upor
principles and not specific to any particular country. We view India’s claim for
permanent membership of the Security Council in the same perspective.
As a matter of principle, a country which stands in violation of the United
Nations Security Council resolutions on matters of international peace and security
cannot be an aspirant to its permanent membership. India, being in clear violation
of the UN resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir dispute, does not qualify for a special
status in the Security Council.
We believe that permanent membership of the Council runs contrary to
the objective of a more representative, democratic, transparent; effective and
accountable Security Council. Pakistan advocates for a more representative United
Nations Security Council, which is balanced and accessible.
Pakistan’s considered view, also shared by a large number of countries, is
that the realities of the 21st century are totally different from the situation existed in
1945. In this era of democracy and equality, we see no justification to create new
centers of power and privilege. The future of UN and of succeeding generations
cannot and must not be premised on considerations of power politics and politics
of expediency.
We advocate the UN reform that is based on the principle of sovereign equality of
Member States and corresponds to the interests of all Member States.
Speaking to the United Nations General Assembly’s 69th Session in New
York on 26th September 2014, the Prime Minister of Pakistan articulated
Pakistan’s principled stance on the issue of Security Council reform. He said:
“We support a reform of the Security Council that would reflect the
interests of all members’ states – small, medium-sized and large –
and not the ambitions of a few. There should be no new permanent
seats in the Council. This will be contrary to the democratic character
of this world body.”
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Pakistan, along with other like-minded countries, advocates for expansion
in the non-permanent membership category of the Security Council. The nonpermanent members being elected periodically by the General Assembly are
accountable to the general membership. This is basic position that has brought
together a number of important countries – the Uniting for Consensus (UFC)
Group – on a common platform.
Pakistan is a leading member of this group which also includes important
countries from various regions, notably Italy, Spain, Turkey, South Korea,
Argentina, Mexico, Canada and others. The UFC maintains that in this age of
democracy, transparency and accountability, the concept of permanent membership
has become anachronistic and outdated.
The members of the UFC Group coordinate their position and collectively
and individually lobby for it in New York, where the intergovernmental negotiations
are taking place, and also in the world capitals. We also coordinate and discuss
with other groups and Member States to promote our position.
99.
*Sheikh Salahuddin:
Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that the real benefits have not been devolved
to the provinces after the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment)
Act, 2010; if so, the reasons thereof; and
(b)
the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Hussain
Pirzada): (a) The Eighteenth Amendment was passed unanimously with support
from all political parties in the Parliament and lauded by the provinces. With the
abolition of the Concurrent Ligislative List, the long-standing demand for provincial
autonomy has come to be realized, and the provinces have at the same time been
provided legitimate constitutional rights in governance, and in managing and utilization
of their natural resources.
The most significant amendments in the Constitution were the deletion of
the Concurrent Legislative List, addition of subjects in Part-II of the Federal
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Legislative List and joint-ownership of oil, gas and territorial waters. The Federal
Legislative List and the Concurrent List prior to the Eighteenth Amendments are at
Annex-I, whereas the post-devolution Federal legislative List is at Annex-II.
Deletion of Cuncurrent legislative List has enhanced the scope of legislative
powers of the provinces. The Eighteenth Amendment has strenghthened the
participatory management by Federal and provincial governments.
(b) Some functions/ organizations such as EOBI, WWF, PTDC which
needed to be transferred to the Provinces are still under the process of devolution
as these require enabling laws for transferring them to the provinces. In this regard,
a Special Committee of the Senate to resolve Post Devolution Issues was
constituted to examine various steps taken by the Federal Government in respect
of the devolution process pursuant to the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment
and also to look into various procedural problems that may have occurred as a
consequence. The constitution of the committee is at Annex-III. The Special
Senate Committee is functioning to resolve the procedural problems in consultation
with the provincial authorities to proceed further for necessary legislation both at
the Provincial and Federal level.
A Sub-Committee of the above Special Committee headed by Senator
Main Raza Rabbani to further strengthen the process of devolution has also been
constituted on 10-03-2014 (Annex-IV).
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
100.
*Ms. Belum Hasnain:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the total amount released to FATA under the head of development
projects during current financial year; and
(b)
the heads under which said amount will be utilized alongwith
the expected benefits to be accrued therefrom?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd.)
Abdul Qadir Baloch): (a&b) The total development portfolio for FATA during
Current Financial Year is Rs.17080.00 million reflected in PSDP 2014-15 (local
component). As per policy of the Finance Division, Government of Pakistan, 40%
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funds i.e. Rs.6832 million have so far been released by the Federal Government.
These funds have further been released to the sector/sub-sectors of FATA ADP
2014-15. Updated sector-wise releases position is placed at Annex-I, as
supplementary material. With this investment, the living condition of FATA people
will improve to some extent. As per development guidelines approved by Governor,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the year 2014-15, most of the schemes involve
consolidation, strengthening, up-gradation and rehabilitation of existing Govt.
facilities rather than further proliferation of small schemes. Greater emphasis has
been placed on service delivery rather than brick and mortar activities. Moreover,
the shortage of human resource in FATA has also been catered through the
development portfolio as a Hobson’s choice.
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101.
*Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that the GSP plus status of Pakistan is subject
to certain UN commitments;
(b)
if the answer to part (a) above is in the affirmative,
whether Pakistan is taking steps to fulfill those commitments?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) GSP
Plus Scheme is Special Incentive Arrangement for Good Governance and
Sustainable Development under which duty free access is granted in European
Union to a few developing countries selected on the basis of an objective
criteria. One of the criteria is that the country must ratify and implement 27
International UN Conventions pertaining to Human Rights, Labour Rights,
Narcotics Control, Climate Change and Good Governance (list of Conventions
is enclosed as Annex-I).
(b) Government of Pakistan is taking all necessary steps to fulfill its
commitments in this regard. The Prime Minister has been pleased to set up a
Treaty Implementation Cell (TIC) which has the following TORs:
i.
To oversee the formulation of an effective mechanism in consultation
with all Provincial Governments and relevant Federal Ministries/
Division/ Agencies to enable the Provincial Governments as well as
the Federal agencies concerned for effective implementations of the
ratified Conventions;
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ii.
To develop identical protocols for implementation which can work
as effective tools for Provincial and Federal Governments to regularly
document the progress made; and
iii.
To help and guide the Provincial Governments for formulation of
templates which can provide for reporting in prescribed and tabulated
formats and generation of reports on compliance, in line with the
international best practices.
It may also be noted that after the devolution, implementation of most of
these obligations now rests with provinces. The TIC coordinates amongst all
stakeholders in four provinces, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to
take necessary administrative action for implementation. The composition of TIC
is given below:—
(a)
Kh. Zaheer Ahmed, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister as
Convener of TIC.
(b)
Secretary, Commerce Division as Member of TIC.
(c)
Secretary, Law, Justice and Human Rights Division as Member of
TIC.
(d)
Provincial Secretaries Law (All Provinces) as Member of TIC.
(e)
Joint Secretary (WTO), Commerce Division as Member/Secretary
of TIC.
Annex-I
Ministry of Law Justice & Human Rights
1.
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (1965)
2.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
3.
International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1966)
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4.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (1979)
5.
Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (1984)
6.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
Ministry of Human Resources & Development
7.
Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour, No. 29 (1930)
8.
Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the
Right to Organise, No. 87 (1948)
9.
Convention concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to
Organise and to Bargain Collectively, No. 98 (1949)
10.
Convention concerning Equal Remuneration of Men and Women Workers
for Work of Equal Value, No. 100 (1951)
11.
Convention concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour, No. 105 (1957)
12.
Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and
Occupation, No. 111 (1958)
13.
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, No.
138 (1973)
14.
Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the
Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, No. 182 (1999)
Ministry of Climate Change
15.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (1973)
16.
17.
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989)
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18.
Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
19.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
20.
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000)
21.
Stockholm Convention on persistent Organic Pollutants (2001)
22.
Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (1998)
Ministry of Narcotics Control
23.
United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
24.
United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
25.
United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances (1988)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
26.
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
(1948)
Ministry of Interior
27.
102.
United Nations Convention against Corruption (2004)
*Dr. Fozia Hameed:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
the names of countries to whom surgical goods have been
exported by Pakistan during the period from 1-6-2013 till date
alongwith the details and value in dollars thereof;
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(b)
the names of countries from which surgical goods have been
imported by the Government during the said period alongwith
the details and value in dollars thereof; and
(c)
the steps being taken by the Ministry to increase the export of
surgical goods?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan) : (a)
Statement showing names of countries to whom surgical goods have been exported
during said period along with requisite detail is at Annex-A.
(b) List containing names of countries from which surgical goods have
been imported during said period along with requisite detail is at Annex-B
(c) Ministry of Commerce has taken following - steps to increase the
export of surgical goods:—
a.
Mark-up rate support of 1.5% on Export Finance Scheme (EFS) to
selected export sectors including surgical.
b.
Ad-Hoc relief @ 3% of FOB to offset the impact of higher cost of
utilities for Pakistani exporters in surgical sector alongwith others.
c.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is undertaking
various export promotional activities through trade exhibitions and
delegations for promotion of surgical goods in Germany, United States
of America, Kenya, South Africa, Malaysia, South Korea. UAE
and Saudi Arabia.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
103. *Dr. Fozia Hameed:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
the performance made by the Research Centres of Pakistan
Tobacco Board at Mardan, Mansehra, Gujrat, Okara and
Sahiwal regarding the improvement of quality of tobacco during
the period from 1-1-2013 till date; and
22
(b)
the steps being taken by the Government for further cultivation
of tobacco in the country?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) Following
steps have been undertaken at the above mentioned Research Stations in this
regard:—
i.
ii.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
a.
Tobacco growers of some areas had adopted cultivation of
NRVs (non-recommended variety) for their early maturity
characteristic; but quality wise not acceptable by cigarette
industry. To resolve this situation PVH 2310 was discovered
among some exotic varieties, as early maturing with higher yield
and good quality acceptable to the industry. Seed of PVH 2310
was distributed among progressive growers. During 2013 and
2014 varietal performance assessment surveys were done
in all respective tobacco growing areas. Encouraging feedback
was recorded. Gradually the area under cultivation of NRV is
reducing. It reduced form 70% to 30% in the three years.
b.
After a number of Agronomic experiments different intercultural
practices (desuckering, deep ploughing, weeding, fertigation
and crop protection techniques) have been developed to
increase the quality of Tobacco. Details are placed at Annex-I.
EXTENSION SERVICES
a.
Regular field days, tobacco workshops, training visit (T&V)
programmes, Radio Talk are being conducted;
b.
Model nurseries and model plots at Farmer fields have been
established;
iii.
PTB has established two research Stations at Mardan, Mansehra,
one tobacco Model Farm at Buner in KPK and two Sub Research
Stations at Kunjah and Okara (Sahiwal) in Punjab.
iv.
Moreover, PTB has acquired land for Tobacco Research Station at
Jampur (Punjab) and for Tobacco Model Farm at Pishin
(Balochistan) but research work has not yet been started there due
23
to occupation of land by illegal occupants in Jampur and worsening
Law and Order situation in Balochistan.
v.
Tobacco Research Station Mardan is main Research Station and
most of the research activities are undergoing there. However, the
other Sub research Stations are meant for trials of new varieties. The
performance/ achievements of Tobacco Research Station, Mardan
during two years are placed at Annex-II.
(b) Pakistan Tobacco Board has informed that following steps have been
taken by the Government for further cultivation of tobacco in the country:—
Pakistan Tobacco Board surveyed new areas for cultivation/
promotion of tobacco and demonstration plots have been cultivated on
trial basis in these areas.
Mianwali
Bhakkar
Sialkot
Lakki Marwat
Bajour Agency
Cultivation of tobacco at Barikot, Swat is also under process.
Moreover, cigar tobacco is also being cultivated on trial basis in some
areas of Sindh Province i.e. Badin, Rasool Abad, Ranipur and Bubak.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
104.
*Ms. Musarat Rafique Mahesar:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state the benefits
to be achieved by implementing new textile policy?
Minister for Textile Industry (Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi): The Textiles
Policy contains various short to long term initiatives having support schemes and
development projects to double the exports of textiles sector from current $ 13
billion to $ 26 billion. The main focus is on SME development and increased value
addition i.e. garments exports.
24
105.
*Ms. Musarat Rafique Mahesar:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
the steps taken by the Government for rehabilitation of the Internally
Displaced Persons of FATA?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch) : (a) The following steps have been taken by the Government:—
(i)
Ministry of SAFORN, FATA Secretariat and Military Operation
Directorate, GHQ Rawalpindi have jointly worked out financial
requirements amounting to Rs. 80,362.81 Million (Annex-I).
(ii) The funds will be utilized in five phase’s w.e.f March, 2015 to
December, 2016 in connection with return, rehabilitation and
Permanent Reconstruction of Temporarily Dislocated Persons (TDPs)
of FATA.”
25
106.
*Mr. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that the post evaluation of GSP Plus extended
by the European Union to Pakistan determined its effectiveness;
if so, the details thereof; and
(b)
the steps being taken by the Government to remove loopholes/
shortcomings identified by the stakeholders to gain maximum
advantages of such concessions?
Minister for Textile Industry (Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi) : (a) The
Ministry of Textile Industry regularly monitors the textile exports. GSP+ was granted
in January 2014. During January-October 2014 the exports to EU were Euro
3.26 billion compared to Euro 2.65 billion in corresponding period of previous
year, an increase of 22.9%
(b) The issue of energy crisis has been addresses by the Government
last year and this year as well through ECC decision No. 169/28/2014. Further to
facilitate the textile sector the Government approved Textiles Package in Budget
2014-15. The package is comprised of following important initiatives:
Draw back of Local Taxes
Draw-back of 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
26
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.
Tarrif 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 garment and made ups etc.
107.
*Mr. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a)
the details of Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) and other
agreements signed with foreign countries by the present
Government so far;
(b)
whether it is a fact that MOUs and other agreements signed by
the Government of Pakistan with other countries in the past
could not be implemented in letter and spirit;
(c) if the answer to part ((b) above is in the affirmative, the steps
being taken to implement the said MOUs in letter and spirit?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) List of the agreements and MoUs
signed during the present govt’s tenure is attached.
(b) Various Ministries or Provincial Governments responsible for
implementing various MoUs make serious efforts for their implementation.
However, sometimes delays can occur for different reasons.
(c) Provincial meetings are held by the Ministries concerned to review
implementation of different Agreements/MoUs. The pace of implementation is
also reviewed during JECs and high level visits from or to these countries.
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
27
108.
*Dr. Nafisa Shah:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a) the total quantity of surplus wheat available for export at present;
(b)
the steps taken by the Government to export the surplus wheat;
and
(c)
whether provincial quotas of wheat have been awarded?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a)
According to the information provided by Ministry of National Food Security &
Research, the surplus wheat stocks of 4.20 million tons are available with the
public sector. This includes 1.150 million tons with PASSCO, 2 million tons with
Punjab, 0.800 million tons with Sindh, 0.145 million tons with KPK and 0.113
million tons with Baluchistan Food Department.
(b) Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) considered
the Summary; dated February 4, 2015 submitted by the Ministry of National
Food Security & Research on “Offload/Export Public Sector’s Surplus Wheat
Stocks” and approved export of wheat and wheat flour (Aata).
(c) The following provincial quotas for wheat export have been awarded
by the ECC:
i.
109.
Export of 800,000 MT wheat by the Government of Punjab.
ii. Export of 400,000 MT wheat by the Government of Sindh.
*Shazia Marri:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
the composition of the Pakistan Tobacco Board at present;
(b)
whether said board has not been constituted since 1-6-2013 till
date; if so, the reasons thereof; and
(c) the authority takes decisions on behalf of the said Board
regarding Tobacco Industry and Trade during the said period?
28
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) As per
Article-3 of PTB Ordinance, 1968 composition of Board of PTB is placed at
Annex-I.
(b) The Board of PTB completed its tenure on 12-01-2014. A Summary
regarding constitution of the new Board of Directors is under process.
(c) Under Article-7 of PTB’s Ordinance 1968 (Annex-II) Federal
Government i.e. Ministry of Commerce has the authority to take decisions in the
absence of Board.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
110.
*Shazia Marri:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:
(a)
whether there is any proposal under consideration of the
Government to export surplus wheat from the country;
(b)
if so, the justification thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): (a) Economic
Coordination Committee of the cabinet on 23-1-2015 had approved Ministry of
National Food Security & Research’s summary on “Offload/Export of Public
Sector’s surplus wheat stocks” and allowed export of 1.2 million MT of wheat.
(b) The wheat export has been allowed to clear the outstanding/existing
stocks lying with Provincial food departments and PASSCO to vacate the storage
space for procurement of wheat during the upcoming season.
111.
*Mr. Sajid Ahmed:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state the time by which
the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project will be completed?
Transferred to Petroleum and Natural Resources Division for answer on
Next Rota Day.
29
112.
*Syed Asif Hasnain:
Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to state:
(a)
the steps being taken by the Government for revival of losing
reputation of Hockey and improvement in the performance of
its players; and
(b)
whether there is any proposal under consideration of the
Government to allocate special grant for Hockey; if so, when it
will be implemented?
Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Hussain
Pirzada): (a) Pakistan Hockey Federation is affiliated with Pakistan Sports Board
(PSB) and responsible for promotion of hockey sport in the country. The grantsin- aid is extended to the federations in the shape of annual and special grants. The
annual grant is released for organization of mandatory national championships and
to meet its day to day expenses and the special grants for participation in
international events at home and abroad. The steps taken by the Government /
PSB for promotion of the said sports is summarized below:—
PSB has released the following financial assistance to PHF for promotion
of the national sport in the country during the last five year:—
————————————————————————————————
Year
Annual
Special
Under
Total
Grant
Grant
President/
(Rs)
(Rs.)
(Rs.)
PM
Directive
(Rs.)
————————————————————————————————
2010-11
3,200,000
3,800,000
82,500,000
89,500,000
2011-12
3,200,000
1,800,000
88,500,000
93,500,000
2012-13
3,411,160
1,900,000
222,936,543
228,247,703
2013-14
3,500,000
1,750,000
-
5,250,000
2014-15
3,500,000
5,000,000
8,500,000
————————————————————————————————
16,811,160
14,250,000 393,936,543
424,997,703
30
————————————————————————————————
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
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.
There is no dearth of talent but all that needed was to impart systematic
and scientific training on modern lines to the young players of potential, in their
prime.
The PHF 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 new Management in the history of Pakistan
Hockey for the rejuvenation of the game approved the following Projects:—
ACADEMIES:
According to the details 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 press.
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 the prevailing socioeconomic 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.
31
Planning of Hockey Academies at 18 namely centres where abundant
talent is available, has been planned in following cities / centre’s:—
Karachi 2, Hyderabad, Lahore 2, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Gojra,
Bahawalpur, Bannu, Abbottabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin,
Sheikhupura, Vehari & Multan. (Karachi & Lahore being metropolitan have two
each).
(b) On the recommendation of Pakistan Sports Board, Ministry of IPC
has taken up the case for supplementary grant of Rs. 350.000 million with Prime
Minister’s Office.
113.
*Syed Asif Hasnain:
Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to
state whether there is any proposal under consideration of the
Government to allocate funds in the next financial year for
construction of new Cricket and Hockey Stadiums; if so, the locations
thereof?
Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Hussain
Pirzada):
Pakistan Sports Board
Ministry of IPC/Pakistan Sports Board has demanded funds in the next
year’s budget for the construction of Sports Complex at Narowal which includes
one Cricket and One Hockey Stadium. In addition, funds have also been demanded
in the next year’s PSDP for laying of synthetic Hockey turfs at the following
locations:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Swat
Gilgit
Muzaffarabad
Multan
Gujar Khan
Pakistan Cricket Board
32
There is no proposal under consideration to allocate funds in the next
financial year for construction of new Cricket Stadium.
114.
*Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the foreign policy is required to be revisited;
(b)
if so, when it will be re-visited; if not, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) Foreign Policy of Pakistan is based
on the perennial principle of securing and safeguarding our national interest in the
comity of nations. It is geared towards achieving following objectives:
i.
Promoting Pakistan as a dynamic, progressive, moderate, and
democratic Islamic country.
ii.
Developing friendly relations with all countries of the world, especially
major powers and immediate neighbors.
iii.
Safeguarding national security and geo-strategic interests, including
Kashmir.
iv.
Consolidating our commercial and economic cooperation with
international community.
v.
Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani Diaspora abroad.
vi.
Ensuring optimal utilization of national resources for regional and
international cooperation.
However, our foreign policy is being constantly under the guidance of
political leadership and the Parliament in the light of changing geo-political
circumstances.
(b) In the past 18 months of the present government a number of
significant changes have been introduced in the country’s foreign policy on the
basis of new strategic vision. The four main elements of this strategic vision are:
33
i.
Safeguarding Pakistan’s own security by eliminating the culture of
violence, extremism and intolerance and by maintain an independence
policy of neutrality and non-interference;
ii.
Making economic revival and sustained development, the centre piece
of our foreign policy;
iii.
Special efforts to improve our relations with all the neighbouring
countries as a part of policy of peaceful neighbourhood;
iv.
Turning Pakistan strategic geo-political location from a liability into
an asset through transport, trade and energy connectivity.
The positive results of these policy changes are already visible in the form
of improved relations with Afghanistan, expended cooperation with China and a
positive trajectory of Pakistan’s relation with USA, Europe, Turkey, Iran and
GCC Countries.
115.
*Ms. Aisha Syed:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state the steps
taken by the Government for increase of exports during the year
2014?
Minister for Textile Industry Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi): To facilitate
the textile sector the Government approved Textile Package in Budget 2014-15.
The package is comprised of following important initiatives:
Draw back of Local Taxes
Draw-back of 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
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.
34
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.
Tarrif 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 garment and made ups etc.
116.
*Ms. Aisha Syed:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a)
the losses caused to the Industry due to the energy crises in the
country; and
(b)
the steps taken by the Government to control such losses in
future?
Minister for Textile Industry Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi) : (a) Due to
energy shortage the cottage industry in urban area becomes non operational for
that time, however, majority of the industry shifts to alternate energy arrangement.
The Government addressed the issue of energy specially gas during last
two winters by diverting gas from the Rousch Pakistan Power Limited to industrial
sector.
The details of new energy projects may be requested from the Ministries
concerned.
(b) To strengthen the textile sector the Government approved Textiles
Package in Budget 2014-15. The Package is comprised of following important
initiatives:
35
Draw back of Local Taxes
Draw-back of 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.
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.
Tarrif 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 garment and made ups etc.
117.
*Sahibzada Tariq Ullah:
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a)
(b)
the steps taken by the Government so far for the training of
employees of textile industry; and
the details of training programmes introduced with reference to
Textile Industry during the current fiscal year?
Minister for Textile Industry Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi) : (a) There are
seven Export Development Fund (EDF) training institutes under the administrative
36
control of Ministry of Textile Industry and they provide training to 1,000 people
per annum in various fields of textile sector.
The Ministry has set up Pakistan-Korea Garment Training Institute, Karachi
to provide diploma level training in stitching sector. The institute would provide
training to 120 people per annum.
The Ministry of Textile Industry has been operating training program with
International Labor Organization (ILO) and trained 400 people specially women
in stitching sector, while 200 will further be trained under this program.
Under Stitching Machine Operators Training (SMOT) Scheme 8,500
trainees majority women were trained in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and
Rawalpindi
The Ministry of Textile Industry has been establishing first ginning training
institute and recently earmarked the area to initiate its construction
During FY 2014-15 till date 60 short trainings/seminars have been
carried out on various cotton related topics such as standardization and farm
management etc.
The Ministry of Textile Industry in collaboration with Provincial Agriculture
Department trained 19 female agriculture officers as master trainers in clean cotton
picking. These agriculture officers further disseminated the information among 1,900
female cotton pickers
(b) Realizing the potential of textile sector to create massive job
opportunities the Government in Federal Budget 2014-15 approved training
program for 1,20,000 unskilled men and women specially in value added sectors
i.e. garments and made-ups stitching. The PC-1 has been submitted in Planning
Commission for consideration.
118.
*Choudhry Muhammad Shahbaz Babar:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to rehabilitate the people in those
areas which have been cleared of terrorism; and
(b) the total estimated cost to be incurred on the rehabilitation
thereof?
37
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch) : (a) “The steps taken to rehabilitate the people in the
areas of the FATA which have been cleared of terrorism”.
Ministry of SAFORN, FATA Secretariat and Military Operation
Directorate, GHQ Rawalpindi has unanimously worked out financial requirements
amounting to Rs. 80,362.81 Million in five phase’s w.e.f March, 2015 to
December, 2016 in connection with return, rehabilitation and Permanent
Reconstruction of TDPs of FATA. The time limit of release of amount up to
December, 2016 as prescribed by GHQ is mentioned in the Annex-I.
(b) “The total estimated cost to be incurred on the rehabilitation thereof
is Rs. 80,362.81 Million in five phases.”
38
119.
*Choudhry Muhammad Shahbaz Babar:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the total number of Afghan Refugees who have opted for
permanent residence in Pakistan so far; and
(b)
whether negotiations are being carried out by the Government
of Pakistan with the Government of Afghanistan for the
repatriation of Afghan Refugees presently living in Pakistan; if
so, the details thereof?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch) : (a) No refugee has approached the Ministry of SAFRON/
Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CCAR) with a request for permanent
residence in Pakistan so far;
(b) The Tripartite Agreement on voluntary repatriation signed between
Government of Pakistan, Afghanistan and UNHCR regulates the repatriation of
registered Afghan refugees. This is a forum where negotiations are being carried
out for repatriation of Afghan refugees. The Commission members of both the
Governments exchange the information regarding repatriation, rehabilitation and
absorption capacity inside Afghanistan. The Commission has so far held 24 meetings.
The 25th meeting of Tripartite Commission has also been held on 11th March,
2015 in which certain decision including constitution of committee comprising three
members from Afghanistan and three from Pakistan which will work out the
modalities for documentation of un-registered Afghans in Pakistan and subsequent
issuance of necessary documents by Government of Afghanistan.
39
The Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan & UNHCR will intensely
engage in consultation to devise a comprehensive plan with realistic timelines for
the way forward and voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
The policy will be finalized by mid-year, latest by August 2015, envisaging voluntary
returns based on the absorption capacity of Afghanistan and the realities on the
ground, in a mutually agreed phased manner. The extension of the Tripartite
Agreement and the validity of the PoR cards would also form an integral part of
this policy to avoid uncertainty towards the end of the year.
120. *Ms. Parveen Masood Bhatti:
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Pakistanis imprisoned in the Jails of Malaysia at
present;
(b) the details of crimes committed by them; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for their release?
Minister for Foreign Affairs : (a) The total number of Pakistani
imprisoned in the jails of Malaysia at present.
There are 342 Pakistani detainees in the Malaysian prisons across the
country with 133 under remand cases and 209 convicted cases.
(b) The details of crimes committed by the detainees are as follows:
——————————————————————————————
Types of Charges
Convicted Under Trial Total
——————————————————————————————
Drug trafficking
5
28
33
Drug related cases
3
12
15
Theft
3
8
11
Murder
1
5
6
Murder (without intention)
2
-
2
Forgery (documents/money)
3
-
3
Rape
2
2
4
155
56
211
Immigration related offences
40
Breach of trust, gang robbery, kidnap,
33
57
90
illegal money laundering, adultery,
protecting illegal immigrants, sexual
harassment etc.
Others
1
1
——————————————————————————————
Grand Total:
208
168
376
——————————————————————————————
(c) Steps taken by the Government for release of the detainees
•
Regular consular visits are undertaken by the Mission to extend
consular assistance to detained Pakistanis in Prisons / Immigration
Detention Centers. Most of the detainees in Immigration Detention
Centers do not possess copies of CNIC / Passports which are
essentially required for issuance of fresh travel documents. During
visits, such detainees are personally interviewed and their antecedents
are verified prior to issuance of Emergency passports.
•
All possible assistance is extended to the Pakistanis detained in
Immigration Detention Centers / Prisons. The passport is delivered
at the Immigration Detention Centers free of cost. In 2014, 736
Emergency Passports were issued to the detainees to facilitate their
deportation. A total of 1,004 Pakistani detainees were repatriated
to Pakistan.
•
Those detainees who express inability to bear the expenses for the
purchase of one way air ticket are provided air tickets as per the
rules.
•
A law firm has been engaged on retainer-ship basis by the Mission
to assist the Pakistanis in the prisons.
MOHAMMAD RIAZ,
Secretary.
ISLAMABAD:
The 19th March, 2015.
1
(20th Session)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT
————
“UNSTARRED QUESTIONS AND THEIR REPLIES”
For Friday, the 20th March, 2015
24.
Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan:
(Deferred during 16th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:
(a)
whether it is a fact that four Pakistanis have been beheaded in
Saudi Arabia during the last few days; if so, the detail of crimes;
and
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to prevent such kind
of incidents in future?
Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) We have asked our Mission in Saudi
Arabia to ascertain the official figure of Pakistanis beheaded in Saudi Arabia since
01 January, 2015. The information will be provided once officially conveyed by
the Saudi authorities.
(b) The Government of Pakistan is seized of the matter. Most of the
beheadings in Saudi Arabia are related to drug and narcotics related crimes.
Prevention of drug smuggling falls within the purview of the Ministry of Interior.
Our mission in Saudi Arabia keeps raising awareness about these serious
issues in their interaction with members of Pakistani Community.
47.
Dr. Nisar Ahmad Jatt:
(Deferred during 18th Session)
Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the total
number of Pakistani refugees living in Afghanistan at present?
2
Minister for Foreign Affairs: In the wake of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, a
number of Pakistani families temporarily crossed into Afghanistan from the affected
area. UNHCR and the Afghan government have been putting up their number
from 33,481 refugee families (251,108 individuals) to 42,031 refugee families
(298,951 individuals). However, these numbers seem exaggerated.
According to the IOM (International Organization for Migration) Chief in
Kabul, the given number of the displaced persons from Pakistan to Afghanistan
also includes local Afghan population. Besides, there is a seasonal migration of
Saidgi and Gurbaz tribes from Miranshah and Bannu who shift across the border
during summer season and return to Pakistan after the season is over.
It is noteworthy that a large number of Pakistani families have already
returned to their native areas after those were cleared by the Pakistan army. Efforts
are underway to ensure return of the remaining Pakistani families.
48.
Dr. Nisar Ahmad Jatt:
(Deferred during 18th Session)
Will the Minister for Textile Industry be pleased to state:
(a)
the total number of sanctioned posts of Private Secretaries and
Senior Private Secretaries in the Ministry at present
alongwith the names , date of appointments and promotion
thereof separately; and
(b)
the present postings and assignments of said Private and Senior
Private Secretaries alongwith the date of postings thereof
separately?
Minister for Textile Industry (Mr. Abbas Khan Afridi): (a) There
are 06 sanctioned posts of Private Secretaries BS (17/18/19) in the Ministry
of Textile Industry. The names of the incumbents, their date of promotion as PS
(BS-17/18/19) in this Ministry is given as under against each:—
(1) Mr. Iftikhar Hussain, Sr. Private Secretary (BS-19) was appointed
as Stenographer (BS-15) on 11-01-2005 on appointment by transfer.
He was promoted as PS (BS-17) on 07-06-2005. Subsequently he
was granted BS-18 w.e.f 23-12-2011. Furthermore, he was granted
BS-19 as Senior Private Secretary on 23-12-2011 as per Rules.
3
(2) Mr. Shaukat Ali initially was transferred from Ministry of Tourism to
Ministry of Textile Industry on deputation under section 10 of Civil
Servants Act, 1973 as Private Secretary (BS-17) on 07-04-2011
and absorbed later on in this Ministry. He was granted BS 18 w.e.f
23-12-2011. Furthermore, he was granted BS-19 as Senior Private
Secretary on 23-12-2011 as per Rules.
(3)
Mr. Usman Rasheed Sial was appointed as Stenographer (BS-15)
on 14-02-2005. Later on he was promoted as Private Secretary
(BS-17) on 09-01-2014.
(4) Mr. Rao Munawar Khan was appointed as Stenographer (BS-15)
on 26-04-2005. Later on he was promoted as Private Secretary
(BS-17) on 09-01-2014.
(5) Mr. Asad Khan was appointed as Stenographer (BS-15) on
11-05-2006. Later on he was promoted as Private Secretary
(BS-17) on 09-01-2014.
(6)
Mr. Arafat Ahmed Qureshi Media Coordinator (BS-16) of Urdu
University Islamabad was appointed as Private Secretary (BS-17)
on deputation basis w.e.f 12-09-2014.
4
52.
Mr. Ghalib Khan:
(Deferred during 18th Session)
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the total number of small, medium and large Government
Hospitals in the South Waziristan Agency (SWA) at present
alongwith the locations thereof;
(b)
the number of Doctors serving in the said above hospitals at
present; and
(c)
whether it is a fact that proper facilities have not been provided
to the said hospitals in SWA so far; if so, the time by which the
Government will provide the required equipments to the said
hospitals?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch]: (a) There are total No. of 114 Health facilities in SWA,
out of which 91 are small, 18 are medium and 05 are large Govt. Hospitals.
(Detail along with its location is at Annexure-A)
(b) A total of 47 Doctors are working in South Waziristan agency (Detail
is at Annexure-B)
(c) Proper health facilities have been provided but the equipment in most
of the health facilities is damaged due to the militancy in SW Agency as per report
of the agency Surgeon South Waziristan agency. However, medical facilities and
equipments are available to provide medical cover in the agency Head Quarter
Hospital Wana. (List of Health Facilities where the equipments are damaged is at
Annexure-C)
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library).
53.
Mr. Ghalib Khan:
(Deferred during 18th Session)
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:
(a)
the percentage-wise total number of employees who belong to
the FATA and working in the Ministry and its subordinate/
attached departments at present;
5
(b)
the total number of said employees who belong to South
Waziristan Agency;
(c)
whether it is a fact that due share in employments according to
its quota has not been granted to FATA in the Ministry; if so,
the reasons thereof; and
(d)
the time by which the deficiency will be removed therefrom?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch]: (a) Ministry of SAFRON its subordinate/attached
departments are following the Regional Quota of NA/FATA i.e 4%.
(i)
Main Ministry
In Main Ministry there are 4% employees who belongs to FATA.
(ii)
Subordinate/Attached Department
In subordinate/attached department i.e Chief Commissionerate for Afghan
Refugees there are 3.84% employees belongs to FATA.
(iii)
FATA Secretariat:
About 50765 belong to FATA and 5321 employees belong to settled
areas i.e. 91% employees are from FATA. Detail is at Annexure-A.
(b) (i) Main Ministry
Nil
(ii)
Subordinate/Attached Department
Nil
(iii)
FATA Secretariat:
The total No. of said employees in S.W. Agency is 4365. Out of these
4282 belong to FATA and 83 belong to settled areas i.e. 98% belong to
FATA. Detail is at Annexure-B
(c) Not true, in-fact more than prescribed quota employees are recruited
from FATA.
(d) Nil.
6
7
25.
Ms. Belum Hasnain:
Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state
the total number of refugees repatriated to Afghanistan during the
last two years?
Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. General (Retd)
Abdul Qadir Baloch]: During the last two years (2013 & 2014) total of 9002
registered Afghan refugees families comprising 44,215 individuals have gone back
to Afghanistan from Pakistan as per voluntary repatriation policy. They have gone
back from Torkham/Chaman boarder.
26.
Mr. Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state whether it is a
fact that there is a shortfall of employees belonging to Sindh Rural
and Urban in the Ministry and its attached departments, autonomous
and semi autonomous bodies except the Pakistan Institute of Fashion
and Design, Lahore; if so, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan):
“
There is an excess of employees from Sindh rural and Sindh urban in the
Ministry of Commerce as compared to their respective quotas.
“
Five (05) of the attached departments of the Ministry also have employees
from Sindh urban and Sindh rural, more than the allocated seats as per
quotas for the said regions; namely:–
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
“
Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP)
National Tariff Commission (NTC)
State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan
National Insurance Company of Pakistan
Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited
Two (02) attached departments of the Ministry have employees from Sindh
urban and Sindh rural in proportion to their allocated seats as per quota;
hence neither shortfall nor excess exists in these departments, namely:—
i. Directorate General of Trade Organizations
ii. Trade Development Authority of Pakistan
8
“
Two (02) attached departments of this Ministry have no seats falling under
quota for Sindh urban or Sindh rural, namely:—
i. Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development and
ii. Trade Dispute Resolution Organization
27.
“
Pakistan Tobacco Board has shortfall of five (05) employees, three from
Sindh urban and two from Sindh rural. Advertisement for the vacancies
has been published and recruitment shall be done as per rules.
“
Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company has no regular
staff and hence no quota seats for any region are maintained.
Mr. Sajid Ahmed:
Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to state
the total number of Astroturf grounds in Pakistan at present?
Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz Hussain
Pirzada): Total Number of synthetic hockey turfs in Pakistan at present is 26.
28.
Ms. Aisha Syed:
Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state the details of 138
items being imported in the country by road from India?
Minister for Commerce (Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan): Major items
imported from India through Wagah land route include oil cake, tomato, peas,
onion, fruit, carbon dioxide, cotton, polypropylene, polyethylene.
Complete list of 138 items is at Annex-I.
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library).
MOHAMMAD RIAZ,
Secretary.
ISLAMABAD:
The 19th March, 2015.
PCPPI—2376(15) NA—19-03-2015—650.