1 (7th 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 14th January, 2019
147. *Mr. Saad Waseem: (Deferred during 3rd Session)
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state:
(a) the present status of Pakistan Madrasah Education Board (PMEB) and its employees;
(b) the objectives of the establishment of PMEB;
(c) whether the desired objectives have been achieved since its establishment;
(d) the annual budget allocated, released and utilized for the PMEB during the last five years;
(e) whether the financial corruption has been reported in the funds of said Board during the said period;
( f) if the answer to part (e) above is in the affirmative, whether any inquiry has been held to identify the quantum of the corruption and hold responsibles accountable; if so, the details thereof; and
(g) the steps being taken by the Government to rationalize the establishment of said Board and its employees at the earliest? 2 Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): (a) In pursuance of Madrasah Reform Policy Pakistan Madrasah Board was established on 08-09-2001 through Ordinance No. XL-2001. The Board shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, to acquire, hold and dispose off property both moveable and immovable, and may, by the said name, sue and be sued. One of the main purposes of the Board was to get Model Dini Madaris established in the country and also get other Madaris affiliated with it.
In fact the Government endeavored to establish its own Board to compete with the existing five Wafaqs and Tanzeemat with which 95% Madrasahs are affiliate. However, the Government effort could not materialize in view of the fact that the Wafaqs and Tanzeemat, who were to nominate their representative on the Board, refused to adopt the Government initiative and did not nominate its members. Consequently the PMEB could not be placed on ground till date.
There are two categories of employees at Board and its three allied Madaris i.e. Regular employees and Contract employees employed on fixed salary package by allowing one day gap.
(b) (a) To establish such Model Dini Madaris and Model Darul uloom in which the Islamic education is the main component and includes courses and curricula of the general education system as may be prescribed.
(b) To regulate and approve condition for affiliation of such existing Madaris as have duly been recommended by the Academic Council.
(c) To approve the curricula, courses of study and conditions for holding of examination in the Madaris keeping in view the recommendation of Academic Council. To grant affiliation and to lay down the regulations and to approve conditions for affiliation of existing Madaris.
(d) To suggest ways and means to bridge the existing gulf between the general education and the Madaris by revising and improving the curricula of Madaris and general education program.
(e) To approve equivelance of degree, diplomas, sanads and certificates where curricula includes subject of general education system, etc. 3 (c) “NIL”
(d) —————————————————————————————— Financial Annual Budget Amount Year Budget Utilized lapsed allocation —————————————————————————————— 2013-14 46,500,000 46,499,219 781 2014-15 50,000,000 49,871,896 128,104 2015-16 47,686,000 47,678,040 7,960 2016-17 54,556,000 54,268,557 287,443 2017-18 55,000,000 54,867,055 132,945 ——————————————————————————————
(e) “NIL”
(f) “NIL”
(g) No positive steps have been taken so far by the Government to rationalize the established of the said Board and its employees.
151. *Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto: (Deferred during 3rd Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the impacts of climate change on shortage of water in the country; and
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure and enhance the availability of water?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) ® Climate change results in extreme weather events more frequently. Pakistan has faced devastating flood events continuously for six years from 2010 to 2015 causing a huge loss to the lives, cultivated lands and other property of the people of Pakistan alongwith wasting precious water into the sea every year. We have lost about 22.7 MAF annually during the said six flood years with 54.5 MAF during 4 super flood 2010 and 36.3 MAF during the year 2015. Post Tarbela annual average of escapages below Kotri is 28.56 MAF.
® Contrary to above, the country has faced severe drought years at the start of the last decade due to climate change resulting into huge water shortages. As an impact of drought, the escapages below Kotri remained lowest during 2004-05 i.e. 0.29 MAF due to lower river inflows. The average annual escapages below Kotri from 2000-01 to 2004-05 remained 5.11 MAF. The detailed data of escapages below Kotri Barrage is enclosed at Annex-I.
® At present, we are again facing droughts causing lesser rainfall and reduced river inflows as an impact of climate change. The drought has caused severe water shortages in the country and the estimated water shortage for irrigation supplies during the current Rabi season is about 38%.
® It is predicted that there would be excessive floods/ droughts in future due to climate change. To tackle this issue, we need to take structural measures (construction of dams) on war footing basis to store the flood water which will not only control the damage but also help us during dry years (droughts) by providing the stored water. This will also help to manage the energy crises by providing cheap electricity to the national grid.
(b) ® The Government is continuously striving for development of water reservoirs in the country. Federal government through its executing agency WAPDA has completed Mangla Dam Raising (2.88 MAF), Gomal Zam Dam (0.892 MAF), Satpara Dam (0.053 MAF) and Darawat Dam (0.089 MAF) to store water with a total storage capacity of 3.914 MAF.
® While Diamer Basha Dam (6.4 MAF), Mohmand (Munda) Dam (0.676 MAF), Kurram Tangi Dam (0.90 MAF) and Nai Gaj Dam (0.16 MAF) are at implementation stage.
Moreover, following projects having cumulative water storage capacity of 21.415 MAF which are at various stages of planning: 5 Projects Storage capacity (MAF)
- KurramTangi Stage-II 0.90 - Winder Dam 0.36 - Naulong Dam 0.20 - Kalabagh Dam 6.10 - Shyok Dam 5.40 - Akhori Dam 6.00 - Bara Dam 0.062 - Chiniot Dam 1.00 - Hingol Dam 0.521 - Bhimber Dam 0.040 - Badinzai Dam 0.300 - Daraban Zam Dam 0.069 - Tank Zam Dam 0.289 - Sukleji Dam 0.042 - Dotara Dam 0.132
® Furthermore, it is proposed that latest technology of sprinkling & drip irrigation should be used for irrigation to make the economic use of precious water available in the country.
® National Water Policy (NWP) has been approved in April this year which emphasizes watershed management in the country. Watershed management is a dire need of the time especially in upper areas of the country like AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and KP due to its multiple benefits. Forestation is an important component which not only controls the sediment inflows but also causes more precipitation in the watershed which is very useful in lean season to avoid droughts by providing increased water shortage. Forestation also results into overall low atmospheric temperatures which will reduce the snow and glaciers melting causing decrease in the probability of floods in high flow seasons.
® NWP also states that Environmental flows shall be ensured in the rivers to maintain a sound environment for the conservation of the river ecology, morphology, delta & coastal ecosystem and fisheries.
® Ecology can preserve by several ways like conserving and improving our surrounding environment, exploiting renewable energy sources, 6 forestation, ensuring environmental flows in rivers, establishing pollution regulation policies, restoration of destroyed natural resources as well as habitats, protection of endangered species and creating awareness, education.
® Delta can be preserved by smart reservoir operations and providing sufficient water supplies regularly.
® For basin level management, NWP states that Water demand shall be estimated for all sectors, within the Basin and outside the Basin. The process of holistic approach to planning shall aim at accommodating a fair and stable economic and social development within an integrated drainage Basin management.
® NWP also says that environmental impact assessment studies shall be carried out concurrently with project feasibility studies for selecting project scope and layout, consistent with productivity, economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability.
ANNEX-I
ESCAPAGES BELOW KOTRI (POST TARBELA)
(All figures in MAF) —————————————————————————————— Year Kharif Rabi Total —————————————————————————————— 1976-77 64.05 5.03 69.08 1977-78 29.00 1.39 30.39 1978-79 75.03 5.56 80.59 1979-80 29.38 0.43 29.81 1980-81 18.74 1.36 20.10 1981-82 33.53 0.26 33.79 1982-83 9.43 0.25 9.68 1983-84 43.81 2.09 45.91 1984-85 28.64 0.91 29.55 1985-86 10.93 0.04 10.98 1986-87 26.72 0.18 26.90 1987-88 17.45 0.08 17.53 —————————————————————————————— 7 —————————————————————————————— Year Kharif Rabi Total —————————————————————————————— 1988-89 44.17 8.69 52.86 1989-90 16.85 0.37 17.22 1990-91 38.19 4.14 42.34 1991-92 50.05 3.24 53.29 1992-93 69.19 12.30 81.49 1993-94 28.47 0.64 29.11 1994-95 88.18 3.65 91.82 1995-96 61.05 1.71 62.76 1996-97 44.72 0.68 45.40 1997-98 16.98 3.81 20.79 1998-99 32.50 2.65 35.15 1999-00 8.72 0.11 8.83 2000-01 0.77 0.00 0.77 2001-02 1.93 0.00 1.93 2002-03 2.32 0.05 2.37 2003-04 20.12 0.07 20.19 2004-05 0.21 0.08 0.29 2005-06 24.40 0.14 24.54 2006-07 20.16 1.56 21.72 2007-08 15.77 0.06 15.84 2008-09 5.68 0.15 5.82 2009-10 4.00 0.07 4.07 2010-11 50.50 4.03 54.53 2011-12 11.81 2.31 14.12 2012-13 5.30 0.70 6.00 2013-14 18.15 0.13 18.28 2014-15 5.03 1.83 6.86 2015-16 36.24 0.36 36.60 2016-17 10.49 0.08 10.57 2017-18 9.42 0.07 9.49 —————————————————————————————— Average (2010-11 to 2015-16) 21.17 1.56 22.73 —————————————————————————————— Average (1976-77 to 2017-18) 26.86 1.70 28.56 —————————————————————————————— 8 155. *Sheikh Rohale Asghar: (Deferred during 3rd Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state whether land has been purchased/acquired for Bhasha Dam?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): 86% of land for Diamer Basha Dam has been acquired. The details are as under:
Land to be Acquired (Acres) Description GB KP Total Private land 17,918 439 18,357 Govt. land (free 18,073 989 19,062 of cost) Total 35,991 1,428 37,419 Land Acquired (Acres) Private land 14,548 162 14,710 Govt. land (free 17,429 - 17,429 of cost) Total 31,977 162 32,139
8. *Mr. Saad Waseem: (Deferred during 4th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the estimated cost of Dasu Hydroelectric Power Project and the amount/quantum of loan approved by the World Bank thereof;
(b) the details for planning and execution of each stage of the project;
(c) whether it is a fact that authorities concerned are unable to meet the cut off date to complete each stage of the project;
(d) whether it is also a fact that the World Bank has also shown its concern and has cautioned the Government that the cost of the project may escalate due to delay in its completion; and 9 (e) whether the Government intends to inquire into the bureaucratic and ministerial hurdles in the way of the project to expedite the same and hold the responsibles accountable; if so, the details thereof?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) ® Total installed capacity of Dasu HPP is 4,320 MW and it will be implemented in 02 Stages. Stage-I will have installed capacity of 2,160 MW (6 Units @ 360 MW each) and Stage-II will also have same power generation capacity i.e., 2,160 MW.
® The ECNEC approved PC-I for Stage-I (2,160 MW) in March 2014 amounting to Rs. 486,093.30 Million with FEC of Rs. 218,547.50 Million.
® Loan Agreement signed with the World Bank for US$ 588.40 Million as IDA-1 Credit along with US$ 460 Million as Partial Credit Guarantees (PCG). Loan is operational since November 2014.
(b) Presently, Stage-I (2,160 MW) is in implementation phase. The current status is as follows:
Ø Land Acquisition
® Total land to be acquired for Project 9,875 Acres ® Priority land required for 1,987 Acres Preparatory & Main Civil Works ® Priority land acquired to-date 740 Acres
Ø Preparatory Works
® 03 Nos. Contracts amounting to Rs. 20 Billion related to Relocation of KKH (KKH-01), Right Bank Access Road (RAR-01) and 132 KV Transmission Line (TL-01) awarded in 2015. Physical progress todate is 14.43%, 18.69% and 38.10% respectively.
® 05 Contracts amounting to Rs. 25 Billion related to Relocation of KKH (KKH-02), Right Bank Access Road (RAR-02) and 10 Resettlement sites (LBRV-11, LBRV-12 & RBRV-11) awarded and mobilization advance is paid. However, commencement letter is pending due to non-availability of land.
® Project Colony Contract amounting Rs. 4.90 Billion awarded on Aug 27, 2018 and signed on Oct 18, 2018. Contractor will mobilize soon.
Ø Main Civil Works
® 02 Contracts of Main Dam (MW-01) and Underground Powerhouse (MW-02) amounting to Rs. 180 Billion awarded in December 2016 and Contractor mobilized at Site in June 2017. Construction activities are in progress. However, pace of progress is slow due to non-availabiiity of land which may result in time and cost overrun.
Ø Electro-Mechanical Works
® Bids opened and received for Dasu-EM-01 Contract on Feb. 28, 2018. Evaluation of Bids is completed by Consultants and reviewed by WAPDA. Report is under submission to World Bank for approval.
(c) Dasu Stage-I is expected to be completed by February, 2023. Stage-II will be completed in 04 years subject to availability of funds.
(d) ® World Bank has shown its concerns over delayed land acquisition of Project due to slow pace of progress by Provincial Government and resistance from Project affectees. This may result in time and cost overrun on account of Extension of Time (EOT) and idle charges claim by the Contractors. Delay in project completion would further increase the liabilities of Interest and Commitment Charges being paid for different loans taken for Project.
® Prime Minister of Pakistan has directed concerned authorities to properly address legitimate concerns of Project affectees and complete land acquisition process by involving all stakeholders.
(e) The delay in project is because of delayed initiation of the project which is solely because of no availability of land. The efforts made to have the 11 project initiated at the Ministerial level includes holding of 10 meetings of the Project Steering Committee since October, 2014 which includes SMBR, ACS (Dev), Commissioner Hazara Division, DC Kohistan, among others. During a briefing to Prime Minister of Pakistan by Secretary Ministry of Water Resources on 26-09-2018 the delay in the land acquisition of Dasu HPP was brought under discussion whereupon the Prime Minister desired its early resolution in consultation with the Govt. of KP.
Moreover, it is to clarify that land acquisition is sole responsibility of the provincial government through administration of the concerned district (Kohistan District in the instant case).
In the above said 11th meeting of PSC, the Ministry had been pressing hard to the representatives of the KP Government. While conveying the seriousness and implication of making no progress on acquiring the land.
With such concerted efforts from 2016 to 2018, 690 acres of land could be acquired which was only 50 acres in 2016.
Forgoing in view, there is as such no inquiry being conducted at Ministerial level given that the hurdles were on the part of locals of the area which could not be effectively handled by KP Government through its district administration.
59. *Mr. Riaz Ul Haq: (Deferred from 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the number of dams for which feasibility studies have been made by the Government and are ready alongwith the proposed areas/ locations thereof;
(b) the estimated requirements of water in the next twenty five years; and
(c) whether the Government is planning any other Dam besides the Kalabagh Dam in the Punjab province; if so, whether feasibility study has been proposed for the same alongwith the details thereof?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) Government of Pakistan through WAPDA has completed the feasibility study of following dams:— 12
(b) This pertains to PCRWR
(c) Yes, Government is planning following 4 dams besides Kalabagh Dam Project in Punjab: 13
60. *Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Government of Saudi Arabia has agreed to waiver SR.2,000/- tax imposed on Pakistanis performing Umrah every year;
(b) if so, details thereof alongwith the name of person who made efforts therefor?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): (a) No. However, Saudi Authorities are being pursued for waiver of tax of SR. 2000/- imposed on Pakistanis performing Umrah every year. For this purpose the Prime Minister of Pakistan during his first visit to KSA in September 2018 discussed this issue with the prince of KSA Moharnrnad Bin Salman. As a follow up to this, Minister for Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony Pakistan also discussed the issue with Saudi Information Minister for waiver of the tax of SR. 2000/- but response from KSA is still awaited.
(b) As above
62. *Ms. Shazia Marri: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state: 14 (a) the flow of water at each point, as specified in the Water Accord, 1991;
(b) whether such flow of water is as per specified limit in the aforesaid accord at present; if so, the details; if not, the justification thereof;
(c) whether Kotri barrage does not receive water flow as specified in the said accord and resultantly hundreds of thousand miles of land has eroded to sea in recent years;
(d) whether authority concerned has taken notice of such an alarming situation which is badly affecting people of downstream areas; if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps being taken to ensure flow of water to downstream as per said Accord?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) The Water Apportionment Accord 1991 as such does not specify/provide ‘flow of water at each point’. Rather the Water Accord indicates in its para 2 the seasonal and annual allocation for the four provinces i.e. Punjab, Sindh, KP and Balochistan.
(b) As explained above, the Water Accord 1991 does not specify as such any flow of water but specify the allocations regardless of quantum of flow of water in the rivers. The Accord, however, states, inter alia, in its para 14(b) that the shortages and surpluses will be shared on all Pakistan basis.
(c) The Water Accord 1991 does not specify water flow below the Kotri Barrage. Rather the Accord in it para 7 recognises the need for certain minimum escapage to sea, below Kotri, to check sea intrusion. It also records the view of Sindh held in the meeting of 16-03-1991, that the optimum level was 10 MAF, which was discussed at length, while other studies indicated lower/higher figures. It was, therefore, decided that further studies would be undertaken to establish the minimal escapage needs downstream Kotri.
The Federal Government had the said study conducted in 2005 by the International Panel of Experts. The said Panel recommended total quantum of water as 8.6 MAF (minimum 5000 cusec continuously throughout the year and 5 MAF annually, while releasing 25 MAF in any one period of five years. 15
(d) This pertains to Provincial Irrigation Department of Government of Sindh.
(e) The representatives of the four provinces constituting Indus River System Authority along with a Federal Member may decide on making the water available downstream Kotri according to the provisions of the Water Accord and in the light of the findings of the study conducted by the International Panel of Experts in 2005.
68. *Ms. Nusrat Wahid: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleased to state:
(a) whether is it a fact that there is acute shortage of the Government veterinary centres/institutions at district level; and
(b) whether it is also a fact that such private centres are too expensive; if so, the steps being taken by the Government to establish said centres all over the country?
Minister for National Food Security and Research (Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan): (a) Field veterinary services at the district level are devolved to the provincial livestock departments.
(b) About 5781 public veterinarians and 11106 para-veterinarians are providing disease diagnostic, clinical & prophylactive and extension services free of cost.
69. *Ms. Shamim Ara Panhwar: (Deferred from 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) whether the work on Mohmand Dam has been started; and
(b) the time by which the same will be completed?
16 Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) The construction work of Mohmand Dam has not been started yet. PC-I of the project was approved by ECNEC on 26-4-2018 at Rs. 309.558 billion. An allocation of Rs. 2.0 billion has been made during current fiscal year.
Detail of procurement process to start construction as per PC-I vis-a-vis Schedule as per ICDBMD report and WAPDA’s report submitted to Supreme Court of Pakistan is as under:
*There is no actual dates mentioned in implementation schedule of approved PC-I rather it is based on year 1-8.
Bids for the Civil Works including Electrical and Mechanical Works were received to WAPDA on June 26, 2018.
Technical bids were opened on 26-6-18 in the presence of Bidder’s representative for evaluation. 17 Post Qualification/Technical Evaluation by Consultants is in process.
The expected date of mobilization of contractor is 15-3-2019.
(b) As per approved PC-I, the implementation period of the project is 7 year 02 months. The expected completion date of the project worked out by WAPDA is scheduled November, 2024.
70. *Begum Tahira Bukhari: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the total water requirements of Pakistan and available quantity of water at present;
(b) whether it is a fact that Pakistan can become water scarce country in near future; if so, the details thereof?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) As per Water Accord 1991, the provincial water requirement at Canal Head is 114.35 MAF (excluding Civil Canals of KP). The water available at Canal Head is now reduced to 97.81 Million Acre Feet (MAF).
(b) ® Per Capita water availability in Pakistan was 5,260 cubic meter per annum in 1951 and has been reduced to 908 cubic meters per annum in 2018 due to ever increasing trend of population which is a stage of water scarcity. With the same trend, the projected estimate of water indicates that water availability will further reduce to 800 cubic meter per annum by 2025, which will be the situation of severe shortage of water having serious impacts on socio-economic life of people of Pakistan.
® Uptil now, a storage capacity of 4.965 MAF of existing reservoirs has been lost due to sedimentation. Studies shows that an additional 0.75 MAF will be lost due to sedimentation by 2025, hence further reducing per capita water availability.
® There is acute shortage of water in lean season and flooding during high flow seasons. Additional reservoirs are required for inter season and inter year transfer of water. 18 ® Climate change impacts will further compound the water issues in the country. This all needs to be addressed through adequate investments in water sector with integrated development of water storage reservoir.
73. *Prof. Dr. Shahnaz Baloch: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state the details of task forces relating to health issues established at Federal level so far and how many persons belonging to Balochistan Province have been included in the Task Forces?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): The “Task Force on Health” was notified in pursuance of the decision of the Federal Cabinet dated 28-08-2018, with the approval of the honorable Prime Minister vide letter No. F. 16•18/2018-SO (Admn-I).
2. The Task Force on Health has the following composition:
(A). Health Component
i. Professor, Nausherwan Burki (University of Connecticut, Farmignton, USA)
ii. Dr. Faisal Sultan, (CEO Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospitals, Pakistan)
iii. Professor Abdul Bari Khan (CEO Indus Hospitals, Pakistan)
iv. Dr. Aasim Yusuf (CMO, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospitals, Pakistan)
v. Professor M. Hamid Zaman (Dept of Biomed Eng and International Health, Boston University, USA)
vi. Mr Latif Sheikh (Pakistan Soc Health System Pharmacists, Ex-Director Pharmacy Services, Aga Khan University, Karachi) 19 vii. Professor Zulfidar A Bhutta (Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Department of Paediatrics, Nutritional Sciences and Public Health University of Toronto. Canada); and
viii. Secretary, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division.
(B). Nursing Component
i. Professor Dr Rasia Gul (Professor & Dean FNM Shifa College of Nursing)
ii. Ms. Shaheen Ghani (President, Pakistan Nurses Association)
iii. Professor Dr Rafat Jan (Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUMS, Rawalpindi)
iv. Ms Rehana Elahi (Director Nursing, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, Lahore)
v. Secretary, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
No person belonging to Balochistan has been included in the task forces.
76. *Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak: (Deferred from 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Mangla and Tarbela Dams have completed their life span and now their water storage capacity has also reduced considerably;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government in order to address the critical situation thereof?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) Mangla and Tarbela have not completed their life span. The present water 20 storage capacities of both the dams are 6.047 and 7.356 MAF, respectively, which become 62% and 89% of the original storage respective capacities of Tarbela and Mangla.
Dam wise original and present water storage capacities of Tarbela and Mangla are given below: —————————————————————————————— Dam Original Present Percent Available —————————————————————————————— Tarbela 9.692 MAF 6.047 MAF 62% Mangla 8.220* MAF 7.356 MAF 89% —————————————————————————————— * The original storage capacity of Mangla was 5.34 million acre-feet in which 2.88 MAF was added by raising the dam in 2009.
(b) The Government has included in the National Water Policy as one of the strategic priorities to construct Diamer-Basha and Mohmand dams having water storage capacities of 6.4 MAF and 0.7 MAF, respectively, as well as addition of small and medium dams with cumulative capacity of about 3 MAF to ensure that the country will have 10 MAF of new storage reservoirs by 2030.
Both the projects have been approved by ECNEC in April 2018 and the process to start construction is underway.
According to WAPDA the tentative dates of mobilization of contractors on Diamer-Basha and Mohamnd dams are 02-June-2019 and 15-March-2019, respectively.
Besides, the Federal government has completed Gomal Zam Dam (0.892 MAF), Satpara Dam (0.053 MAF) and Darawat Dam (0.089 MAF) to store water with a total storage capacity of 3.914 MAF.
79. *Ms. Nasiba Channa: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state:
(a) the reasons of sending Hujjaj through private tour operators; and 21 (b) the reasons of charging more money from Hujjaj by these private tour operators as compared to the Government?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): (a) Hajj Group Organizers scheme was introduced in Pakistan for the first time during Hajj-2005, in line with Saudi Government instructions to introduce private sector all around the world in the hajj related affairs, so that the hujjaj may have different options of availing the facility of hajj under Government or Private Scheme. Since then the Ministry is sharing the quota between Private & Government Schemes.
(b) In this connection the August House is informed that different hajj packages depending upon the facilities provided therein for the intending hujjaj, are introduced for the Private Hajj Scheme, so that all the Hajis may perform Hajj according to their choice and comfort. There is option for the private haji to select the package according to facilities he wants to avail during the hajj. The rate / charges of each package are already determined. Prior to Hajj Operation a Service Provider Agreement (SPA) is signed between the Ministry and the Hajj Organizer Association of Pakistan (HOAP). The tour operators are monitored properly as per SPA, if any tour operator fails to fulfill its obligations; action is taken against such tour operators by the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony.
80. *Mr. Muhammad Farooq Azam Malik: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the share of Bahwawalpur as per Water Accord-1991;
(b) whether said share is being implemented in letter and spirit; if so, the details; if not, the reasons thereof; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to give due share of water to Bahawalpur?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) & (b) The water shares are allocated in the Water Apportionment Accord ‘1991’ province wise. Hence, IRSA distributes the surface waters amongst the provinces as per their allocated shares. 22
Further distribution i.e. zone-wise, canal-wise or district-wise is the prerogative of the respective province.
(c) Therefore, as far as the share of Bahawalpur is concerned, it may be taken up with the Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab.
84. *Mr. Naveed Aamir Jeeva: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government of Pakistan has allocated any development funds for the construction/repairing of worship places of minorities;
(b) if so, the amount of said funds; if not, the reasons thereof; and
(c) the steps being taken to release funds on regular basis for construction and repairing of the said religious worship places?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): (a) Yes. Government of Pakistan has allocated funds under “Minority Welfare Fund” through which small development schemes are executed for acquisition/improvement of burial places and repair/renovation of places of religious importance.
(b) An amount of Rs. 41.42 million has been allocated for the current Financial Year 2018-19.
(c) Small Development Schemes are sanctioned/released on recommendations of the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and Minority’s MNAs, Senators according, to the Accounting Procedure, duly approved by the Auditor General of Pakistan and Finance Division and with the approval of the Development Committee. In this regard, all minority parliamentarians are also consulted. 23 86. *Ms. Shams Un Nisa: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that a large land area has been lost in certain districts of Sindh due to sea intrusion;
(b) if so, the details and action taken by the Government for prevention thereof?
Disallowed on re-consideration.
155. *Ms. Nusrat Wahid: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleased to state:
(a) the quantity of cotton being exported to the other countries at present;
(b) whether it is a fact that cotton price is increasing in the world market;
(c) if the answer to part (b) above is in affirmative, the steps being taken by the Government to improve the production as well as the export of Pakistan’s cotton in world market?
Minister for National Food Security and Research (Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan): (a) Average cotton exports during last five years are as given below however cotton exports during July-October, 2018-19. —————————————————————————————— Year Bales (170kg) —————————————————————————————— 2014-15 553,376 2015-16 290,088 2016-17 149,776 2017-18 207,424 2018-19*(July-Oct) 42,688 —————————————————————————————— *Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 24 (b) Yes, due to trade issues between China and USA cotton prices remained higher side during the cotton season 2018-19.
(c) Cotton Research and departments are being strengthened and Government has taken various steps for the facilitation of cotton grower, to reduce the cost of production, like subsidies on fertilizer, electricity for agriculture use, and tax relief on pesticides.
180. *Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) the details of Bioethics laws existing in the country at present;
(b) the procedure prescribed for the patients to lodge their complaints in case of violation of such laws by doctors and medical practitioners?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): (a) The bioethics laws were formulated by Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC). The existing bioethics laws are “Code of Ethics of Practice for Medical and Dental Practitioners Regulations, 2011” (Annex-A).
Ø The PMDC Code of Ethics provides the basis of the ethical standards and principles guiding everyday professional activities of the registered medical and dental practitioners (RMPD)
Ø The Code of conduct applies to all members of the medical and dental profession. This code of conduct is applicable to undergraduates as well as graduate medical and dental students, residents, consultants, faculty of the medical colleges and all the medical and dental practitioners registered with PMDC working anywhere in Pakistan and all over the world.
(b) Procedure to file complaints regarding professional negligence/ misconduct against registered Medical/Dental practitioners is stated in detail in “Part-V of Pakistan Registration of Medical and Dental Practitioners Regulations 2008” (Annex-B). 25 Ø Salient procedural steps as stated in above quoted regulation are given as under:-
® Complaint by a person or body charging the practitioner with infamous conduct in any professional respect or professional negligence, such complaint shall be made in writing on a stamp paper attested by a magistrate addressed to the registrar, and shall contain that grounds of complaint and shall preferably be accompanied by one or more declarations of witnesses as to the facts of the case.
® Any complaint that may have been lodged shall be submitted to the registrar, who shall, if he thinks fit, ask the practitioner, by means of a registered letter, for an explanation within such time as may be fixed by him.
® After the expiry of that time, the documents with the explanation, if any, shall be referred for consideration to the Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Council to deal with fitness to practice issues and such complaints.
® The Disciplinary Committee shall have power to cause further investigations to be made and further evidence to be taken, and, if necessary, obtain further legal or other advice.
® If the Disciplinary Committee decides that the enquiry ought to be held to protect the interest of the public , the registrar shall issue a notice in writing to the practitioner and complainant concerned.
® The notice shall be sent at least twelve days before the date of the enquiry by the Disciplinary committee of the Council and shall be accompanied by a copy of the Ordinance and these regulations. A copy of the notice shall, at the same time, be sent to the complainant.
® At the hearing of the case by the Disciplinary Committee, the complainant and the practitioner charged shall have to be present in person and can be assisted by a legal representative. 26 ® Upon the conclusion of the case, the Disciplinary Committee shall deliberate thereon in private, and the conclusion of the deliberation, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee shall call upon the Disciplinary Committee to vote on the question whether the practitioner charged is guilty of infamous conduct in any professional respect or professional negligence.
® If the Disciplinary Committee by a majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting, find the practitioner guilty of infamous conduct in any professional respect or professional negligence, the Disciplinary Committee shall recommend to the Council to remove his name from the appropriate register altogether or for a specified period or to warn or to censure him.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
20. *Syed Imran Ahmad Shah: (Deferred during 6th Session)
Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to state the steps taken or being taken by the Government as part of its 100 days plan to give incentives to Pakistan’s manufacturing industry to compete in International Market, increase exports and create jobs?
Minister for Industries and Production:
® In order to improve the competitiveness of local industry in the International market, the Engineering Development Board (EDB) working under the Ministry of Industries & Production (MOI&P) has taken following measures/steps:—
o Under Tariff Policy concessionary SRO’s i.e. SRO 655(i)/2006, SRO 656(i) 2006, SRO 693(i)/2006, are being implemented by EDB to reduce the upfront cost of the engineering industry.
o EDB manages the CGO-2/2017 list of locally manufactured goods to promote local industry. 27 o Under DTRE scheme exporters are allowed for import AND local procurement of inputs without payment of customs duty, excise duty, sales tax and withholding tax.
o Under Auto Development Policy 2016-21 incentives have been offered in import duties of CKD for new investors for makes not already being assembled/manufactured in Pakistan and for revival of closed units.
® MoI&P has also established various Export Processing Zones EPZs with the mandate to plan develop and operate Export Processing Zones in Pakistan.
® In addition following steps were taken to enhance the exports of the engineering industry of the country:—
o EDB Ensured local engineering industry’s participation in Hannover trade fair with a view to showcase itself as an industrial location and to integrate these industries with the global supply chain aiming to enhance exports of engineering industry.
o EDB organized engineering sector participation at Hannover Messe 2016 and 2017 – Germany; a total of 32 companies exhibited their products in 2016. In Hannover Messe-2017 a total of 33 exhibitors showcased their products.
o EDB supports local industry through international organizations to provide free assistance in technical/non•technical issues aiming to enhance the competence and exportability of the engineering sector.
The Government is preparing 05 years Tariff Policy to ensure competitiveness of local industry and sustainability of tariff structure.
24. *Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi: (Deferred during 6th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state whether the Indian Government has permitted Pakistani experts to travel to inspect the construction at the Kishan Ganga Dam; if not, what does the Government plan to do? 28 Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): So far, the Indian Government is not allowing Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters to inspect Kishenganga and other projects on river Jhelum. However, the Ministry of Water Resources through Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters is pressing hard to his Indian counterpart to arrange the requested tour at the earliest possible. Last communication made by PCIW was on 24-11-2018 on which response is awaited. PCIW is being reiterated to vigorously pursue the matter both with his Indian counterpart.
26. *Ch. Muhammad Shahbaz Babar: (Deferred during 6th Session)
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state the steps taken by the Government to propagate the good treatment for non-muslims in Pakistan according to Islamic principles for promoting harmony?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): 1. In the wake of 18th Constitutional amendment, this Ministry has been mandated the task of Policy and Legislation with regard to Interfaith Harmony, while the following subjects of defund Ministry of Minorities Affairs have been devolved to the Provinces and Ministry of Human Rights vide Cabinet Division’s Notification No. 4-9/2011-Min-1 dated 29-06-2011 as under.
—————————————————————————————— Sr. Business Status —————————————————————————————— i. Safeguarding the rights of Devolved to Provinces minorities. ii Promotion of welfare or Devolved to Provinces minorities. iii All other matters relating to Devolved to Provinces minorities. iv Protection of minorities Assigned to M/o Human against discrimination. Rights ——————————————————————————————
2. Therefore, issues pertaining to minorities / Non-Muslims are not in the purview of this Ministry and relates to Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Interior and Provincial Government. 29 3. The Government of Pakistan has, however, taken certain steps for the good treatment of non-Muslims in Pakistan according to Islamic principles of promoting harmony, which are as under:—
i. The Constitution of Pakistan and Legal Framework of the country guarantees fundamental and equal rights for all citizens including Minorities of Pakistan.
ii. Article-20 of the Constitution of Pakistan gives the right to every citizen the freedom of religion.
iii. The Pakistan Penal Code-1860 provides a complete Chapter (XV), which relates to freedom of religion and offences relating to the religion.
iv. The Islamic Shariah Law is the first law in the history of the world to guarantee the freedom of religion/belief.
v. Hate speech and Hate printed material, which insult the religion or religious beliefs, are prohibited under section 99(A) of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 and under section 295(A) of Pakistan Penal Code.
vi. The system of separate electorate for minorities was abolished in favour of universal adult suffrage on the demand of the minorities.
vii. Besides 10 seats reserved for minorities in National Assembly, minorities have also been provided proportional reserved seats in all Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan.
viii. Minorities have been provided four (04) seats in the Senate of Pakistan.
4. Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony has also taken following steps for the good treatment of non-Muslims in Pakistan according to Islamic principles of promoting harmony:—
i. Framing of National Interfaith Harmony Policy.
ii. Constitution of District Interfaith Harmony Committees at Provincial and Federal level. 30 iii. Holding of Interfaith Harmony Conferences at Provincial and Federal level.
iv. Celebration of 11th August as Minorities Day at the Aiwan-e-Sadar, Islamabad.
v. Celebration of ten religious functions of minorities at Federal level by ensuring their maximum participation.
vi. Vernacular name of Christians changed from Essahi to Masihi.
vii. Implementation on 5% job quota for minorities.
viii. Minorities Welfare Fund is operative in this Ministry through which financial assistance of Rs. 91.49/- Million among 17,426 poor and needy minorities were distributed through minority Parliamentarians during the last five years.
ix. Distribution of Scholarships amounting to Rs. 168.21/- Million among 9798 minority students on merit basis, during the last five years.
x. Distribution of funds of Rs. 234.81/- Million for the repair/ maintenance of the religious places of minorities through 219 small development schemes, during the last five years.
xi. Reconstitution and Proactive role of National Commission for minorities.
57. *Mr. Salahuddin: (Deferred during 6th Session)
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the details of amount collected under the head of Neelum Jhelum surcharge in the electricity bills during the last ten years; and
(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration to include the said amount in Supreme Court of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund?
31 Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) Details of amount collected under the head of Neelum Jhelum surcharge in the electricity bills during the last ten years is as under: —————————————————————————————— Year-wise NJS Amount Collection (Rs. in Billion) —————————————————————————————— 2007-08 1.18 2008-09 5.24 2009-10 5.18 2010-11 5.27 2011-12 5.27 2012-13 5.28 2013-14 5.62 2014-15 4.10 2015-16 7.02 2016-17 6.95 2017-18 7.32 2018-19 (30-11-2018) 3.42 —————————————————————————————— Total 61.85 —————————————————————————————— (b) In order to finance Diamer Basha and Mohamed Dams on the analogy of Neelum Jhelum Surcharge fund, there is no proposal initiated by WAPDA to include in Prime Minister & Supreme Court of Pakistan fund.
1. *Ms. Saira Bano:
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state the steps being taken to prevent continuous erosion of coastal areas of Thatta and Badin into sea; if so, the details thereof?
Disallowed on re-consideration.
2. *Dr. Nafisa Shah:
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there is a cost escalation in the Neelam Jhelum Hydro Power Project; if so, the reasons alongwith causes of delay thereof; 32 (b) the completion date of the said project?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) There has been cost escalation in NJHP as reported by WAPDA. Cost escalation is part of every mega project executed under Item Rate Contract administered according to FIDIC Conditions of Contract. Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project (NJHEP) faced multiple hindrances during its execution which eventually led to Time and Cost Overrun. The reasons of delay are as under:
® The delayed land acquisition by Govt. of AJ&K.
® Force majeure delays due to different geological conditions.
® Major design changes on the basis of new seismic parameters after earthquake of 2005 resulting into following:
- New design of Dam (a composite concrete and Rockfill Dam in place of Concrete Gravity Dam).
- Shifting of dam location downstream and increasing the height of dam from 47 to 60 m.
- Provision of Stilling Basin for energy dissipation.
- Increase in Cross-sectional area of the 48km Headrace Tunnel (HRT).
- Concrete lining of the HRT instead of Shotcrete lining.
- Shallow crossing of HRT under Jhelum River with Steel Liner.
- Shifting of Powerhouse location.
® Lack of interrupted and good quality power supply till 2012.
® Fatal Rock Burst in the HRT in 2015.
® The project was started with non-closure of finance, which existed till December 2016 and affected the progress. 33 As a result of the above said changes, the scope of work as well as cost of the project increased manifold.
(b) Respective dates of completion of all the four units of NJHPP are 13-04-2018, 22-04-2018, 30-05-2018 and 13-08-2018. The project has generated 1822.73 million units of electricity.
3. *Ms. Zaib Jaffar:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to establish a Mental Hospital in Islamabad;
(b) if so, the time by which construction work will be started and completed?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): (a) & (b) There is no proposal under consideration of this Ministry to establish a Mental Hospital in Islamabad.
4. *Mr. Muhammad Bashir Khan:
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to ensure keeping of the Fasting and celebration of Eids together with Saudi Arabia; if so, the details; if not, the reasons thereof; and
(b) whether the Government intends to take advice of Council of Islamic Ideology in this regard; if so, the details; if not, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): (a) No. Due to horizontal variation, one or two day’s difference is lying between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. 34 (b) The Council of Islamic Ideology has already given following recommendation in its annual Report 2002-2003 (Annex-A):—
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
5. *Ms. Nuzhat Pathan:
Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that organic farming is eco-friendly system;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to promote organic farming in the country?
Minister for National Food Security and Research (Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan): (a) Yes “Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic Agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved”.
(b) Ministry of National Food Security and Research through Pakistan Agricultural Research Council has taken the following steps to promote organic farming in the country:
® Production of organic seasonal vegetables at NARC field, for demonstration and training to the stakeholders.
® PARC initiated kitchen and roof top gardening to promote organic agriculture.
® Provided services to 500 NGO personnel for promotion of Organic Farming Kitchen gardening in Islamabad, KP and AJ&K.
® Production of off-season squashes in tunnels at NARC for demonstration and training to the stakeholders. 35
® PARC has also established a cell on Organic Agriculture and Dr. Sikandar Khan Tanweer, PSO (Wheat), NARC has been nominated as focal person.
6. *Sahibzada Sibghatullah:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state whether the Government has any plan to establish a Cancer Hospital in Islamabad?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): Yes, after abolition of Capital Administration and Development Division a project titled “Cancer Hospital, Islamabad”, has been transferred to this Ministry. The afore-said project was approved by CDWP in its meeting held on 12th February, 2018 at a total cost of Rs. 1,998 million and an allocation of Rs. 265 million has also been made for Financial Year 2018-19.
Further deliberations by the health Task Force on the above issue took place among various stake holders and it has been decided to increase the capacity of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad (PIMS) by increasing allocated beds for Cancer patients and by recruiting relevant staff instead of building a new hospital. This was based on available data, resources and ground situation in the institution. However, a full fledged hospital will be considered at a later stage.
7. *Syed Abrar Ali Shah:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) the maternal mortality rate during delivery in Pakistan at present; and
(b) the steps being taken by the Government for the prevention thereof?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): (a) According to United Nations 36
Inter Agency Group, maternal mortality ratio for Pakistan was 178/100,000 live births in 2015 which has decreased from 306/100,0000 live births in 2000 (about 72% reduction in the last one and half decade).
Currently the maternal mortality survey is underway and the report will be made available in near future.
(b) The Government is cognizant of the significant challenges posed by the maternal mortality burden in the country.
® The Government is implementing Prime Minister’s Health Insurance Program to provide health cards to increase the access of population living below 2 dollars a day, in which maternal and new born care package has been included. 3.2 million families have been registered in 38 districts and is now being scaled up.
® The Government has developed the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH&N) National Action Plan 2016•25, which lists ten priority areas for dealing with issues around RMNCAH&N in the country.
® It focuses on improving the access and quality of RMNCAH community based primary care services, ensuring continuum of care in rural districts and urban slums.
o Increased funding and allocation for MNCH to overcoming financial barriers to care seeking and uptake of interventions are also key areas identified in priority action plan.
o Essential Drug List revised to include RMNCAH commodities.
o Ministry in collaboration with WHO has initiated a new program of Family Practice approach, which is being piloted in twelve districts, in order to improve the access to quality care in rural areas through an Essential Health Services Package.
Hammad 3093(19) NA PC No. 06 13-01-2019
37 8. *Ms. Aliya Kamran:
Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Honda Atlas Cars (Pak) Ltd. has increased prices of its vehicles twice during the year 2018; if so, the dates thereof alongwith the ratio and the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also a fact that the company had increased the said prices at the time when the dollar is touching its highest level in 2018; if so, vehicle-wise details thereof;
(c) whether it is further a fact that no decrease has been made in the prices despite decrease in the value of dollar; if so, the reasons thereof;
(d) whether it is also further a fact that increased prices are being demanded from those who have deposited the down payment; if so, the reasons of not publishing the increased prices in the newspapers;
(e) if so, the incentive given to those who have deposited the down payment?
Minister for Industries and Production (a) Yes, the dates along-with the ratio and details thereof are enclosed at Annex-A.
( b) Yes, vehicle wise details are at Annex-B.
(c) No, the company has not decreased prices as rupee continued to devalue during 2018. Dollar price on 01-01-2018 was Rs.111 and on 31-12-2018 it was Rs.139. Vehicle prices are also dependent on dollar price. The Vehicle prices increased between 01 January 2018 to December 31, 2018 ranges from 0 - 11.70%. Whereas the dollar price was increased by 25.23% during the same period.
(d) Yes, it is a fact that increased prices are demanded from those who have deposited the down payment. The clients are informed in the OEM’s Provisional Booking Order and Relationship Agreements signed and agreed by the buyer/consumer that price at the time of delivery of vehicle will be charged. The prices are updated on website of companies. 38 (e) Following incentives are given to those who have deposited the down payment.
(i) Mol&P/EDB has announced Automotive Development Policy (ADP) 2016-21. Any delay over two months results in discount @ KIBOR+2 percent prevailing on the date of final delivery/settlement from the final payment, which is an effort to discourage delivery time beyond sixty days.
(ii) Under the ADP 2016-21, the assemblers are reimbursing KIBOR+2% to the customers on late deliveries beyond 60 days.
However, the local auto assemblers are in private sector and operate in an open market mechanism; the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) carries the mandate to control unfair market practices.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
9. *Mr. Ramesh Lal:
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state the measures taken by the Government to conserve water for future needs?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda):
® In order to overcome the future predicament which, the country might face in case there is a serious water crisis, the Federal Government is working in various areas ranging from policy measures to undertaking water sector infrastructure development projects like dams, canals, drains, flood protection works, lining of canals and distributaries across the country.
® The phenomenal increase in population, particularly in last three decades, has put a tremendous threat on the renewable but finite water resource available in the country. In order to address the challenge, optimal development and judicious use of water resources are inter alia the essential requirements to be fulfilled. After undertaking the Indus Basin Irrigation Projects from early sixties to mid-seventies, the water resources development followed a slow pace despite having 39 trained teams of professionals who worked and learned being part of the design and construction phases of the Indus Basin Projects.
® One of the main reasons for such slow pace may be attributed to change of priorities at the higher levels leading towards lack of adequate allocations in the Public Sector Development Programmed for the Water Sector. The recently approved National Water Policy has duly flagged this issue and provided a key policy action wherein it has been defined that the water sector receives at least 10 percent of Federal PSDP allocation in 2018-19. Gradually increasing to 20 percent by 2030.
® The federal government while taking cognizance of the situation created a dedicated Ministry of Water Resources in August 2017 with a mandate to conserve, manage and develop the country’s water resource through high level interventions mainly relating to the transboundary and interprovincial water matters, development of mega water infrastructure including large water storage dams and hydropower projects as well as countrywide flood coordination and sponsoring various projects at provincial level comprising inparticular the small and medium dams for local irrigation, groundwater recharge, food mitigation etc.
® With regard to ensuring successful and timely completion of the water infrastructure projects the federal government improved the ownership and provided adequate funds for completing decades old under- construction water sector projects, like:
- Kachhi Canal Project (Phase-I Part A), Balochistan
- Right Bank Outfall Drain, Sindh
- Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, AJ&K
® The financial allocation, only for the water sector projects (excluding run-of-river hydropower projects) in the federal PSDP for the fiscal year 2018-19 is Rs. 63.616 billion, which inter alia include the Diamer Basha Dam and Mohmand Dam projects (Rs. 25.680 bn). 40 ® More specifically, the government in the month of April has approved long awaited Mohamnd Dam Project with a live storage of 0.676 MAF and Diamer Basha Dam Project having a live capacity of 6.4 MAF. The approvals of these dams comprise a hybrid financing model of providing funds for construction of dam from the Federal PSDP and the power generating facility through commercial financing. This model aims at reducing the burden over the federal PSDP and at the same time ensuring the availability of requisite funds to complete the projects in a timely manner without any hindrance.
® Summary of the National Water Policy has been provided in the following paragraphs.
1. National Water Policy
® The newly created ministry has successfully formulated and got approved the first ever National Water Policy (NWP) from the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on 24th April 2018.
® The objectives of the National Water Policy (NWP) are grounded in a set of principles aimed at promoting greater national interest and the welfare of the people of Pakistan. NWP is based on six (06) strategic priorities, with six (06) broader targets for implementation by 2030 requiring a secure financial regime of USD 27 billion.
(a) Strategic Priorities: Strategic initiatives identified in NWP and to be taken up at the Federal and Provincial levels, include:-
- conservation and efficiency,
- storage,
- leveraging technology,
- renewable energy,
- integrated water resource management, and
- comprehensive regulatory framework 41 (b) Targets: An important aim of the National Water Policy is to fix quantifiable targets with a timeline and estimated resources required over the next twelve years i.e. by 2030. Main Targets proposed for 2018-2030 are :
- Reduction of 33 percent in the 46 MAF river flows that are lost in conveyance, through accelerated program of water course lining, - increasing storage capacity by adding 10 MAF live storage,
- 30% increase in water use efficiency by introducing modern irrigation techniques,
- refurbishment of irrigation infrastructure,
- real-time monitoring of water distribution for transparent water accounting, and
- development of unified authentic database to have reliable water resource assessment.
(c) Financial Allocation: A major reason for the current water crisis is lack of adequate allocations in the Public Sector Development Program for the Water Sector. In 2017-18, Federal PSDP allocated only 3.7% or Rs. 36.75 billion to the water sector, which was lowest in the last two decades. National Water Policy recognizes the need to ensure that water sector receives at least 10 percent of Federal PSDP allocation in 2018-19 and the same should gradually increase to 20 percent by 2030.
2. Pakistan’s Water Charter
® The ministry after examining the development paradigm, duly ascertained that the water sector projects usually come with a long gestation period which extends at least beyond five years i.e. tenure of a political government, therefore transfer of political power from one regime to the other affects water sector development and approved projects linger on for indefinite period with their fate uncertain. 42 ® To this effect, besides having the National Water Policy approved by the CCI, the government made endeavor to bring together all the political parties having their respective governments in the four provinces for forging a consensus on the most important causative factors responsible for present dismal situation of water sector in the country, and getting their pledge to have these problems resolved with strong political will and best efforts; this consensus was documented in the form of Pakistan’s Water Charter duly signed by all the four Chief Ministers and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
® Pakistan’s Water Charter has been announced as a ‘Call to Action’ and the Declaration of a Water Emergency. In the Charter, the four provinces and the federal government have agreed to the following challenges/importance of certain measures to be taken to improve the water sector:
(a) Broadening gap in demand and supply of fresh water, on account of population explosion,
(b) Importance of adopting by law the sustainable water consumption and production patterns,
(c) Importance of a holistic water management regime resulting into judicious use of water resources,
(d) Besides augmentation, importance of conservation and scientific water management as presently substantial portion of water diverted into canals is lost during conveyance, and
(e) Challenge of water contamination causing huge medical and social costs.
® And after agreeing on the aforesaid challenges, the Charter provides pledge of the political leadership made with the commitment and intent to achieve water security for the people of Pakistan by doing the following:
(a) Give top most priority to water sector and increase development spending significantly, 43 (b) Foster inter-provincial coordination to implement transformational infrastructure development in an equitable, amicable and harmonious manner,
(c) Transfer of political power from one regime to the other will not affect water sector development in any way and that approved projects shall continue as per agreed time and cost stipulations,
(d) Entrust water resources planning and development to high level qualified professionals, and
(e) Make dedicated efforts and utilize all resources to avert the water crisis and mitigate the anticipated impact of climate change on water security.
3. Institutional Strengthening and Improving Water Governance
® Another strategic measure being taken by the federal govt. is improving the working of water sector institutions by filling in of vacant positions on merit, incenticizing the professional staff through technical allowance etc., capacity building through local and foreign specialized and short trainings.
® Step being considered to revamp Office of Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW), further strength Office of CEA/CFFC, improve the working of IRSA etc.
® Further to above strategic measure is being taken by the federal government to develop a transparent water accounting mechanism to ensure that the available surface water is being distributed efficiently and in accordance with the provisions of Water Apportionment Accord 1991.
4. Steps taken by the Government to conserve water
® Govt. of Pakistan is continuously striving for the development of water and power resources of the country. Govt. of Pakistan through WAPDA has prepared a comprehensive plan to conserve water during high flow season and utilize the same during lean season in future. 44 ® During last decade, Govt. has completed Mangla Dam Raising (2.88 MAF), Gomal Zam Dam (0.892 MAF), Satpara Dam (0.053 MAF) and Darawat Dam (0.089 MAF) to store water while Diamer Basha (6.4 MAF) and Mohmand (0.676 MAF) are at implementation stage.
® WAPDA is also planning to construct KurramTangi, Stage-II (0.90 MAF) Chiniot Dam (0.85 MAF), Shyok Dam (5.0 MAF), Akhori Dam (6.0 MAF), Kalabagh Dam (6.1 MAF), Dudhnial Dam (1.00 MAF), Skardu Dam (3.20 MAF) to cope with the issues of water shortage in the country.
® It is also proposed that latest technology of sprinkling & drip irrigation should be used for irrigation to make the economic use of precious water available in the country.
10. *Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state the steps taken or being taken by the Government to build one million affordable houses for people?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): The Government has launched a Scheme for construction of 5-million affordable houses. In this regard, steps taken so far are as under:-
(i) Draft Naya Pakistan Authority Bill has been forwarded to Law Division.
(ii) A Task Force for the scheme has been constituted.
iii) Recovery of Draft Mortgage-backed Security Act 2019 drafted/ vetted by Housing Task Force has been forwarded to Law Division.
(iv) Expression of Interest (EOI) has been published regarding this initiative by the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) for employees from BS-1 to 16 to be executed by the private sector under Joint Venture (JV) policy.
(v) NADRA has collected application / registration forms at designated sites w.e.f 22-10-2018. 45 11. *Sheikh Rohale Asghar:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state the number of patients of AIDS in Pakistan at present?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): The number of estimated patients of AIDS in Pakistan is 1,50,000. However, number of registered patients of AIDS in Pakistan is 25,220 till September, 2018. Total 15,390 AIDS patients require treatment. Detail is as under:- ______Name of Province Total registered On Anti Retroviral Drugs patients (ARVs) ______Federal 2,616 1,249 Punjab 11,396 7,119 Sindh 8,070 4,149 KP K 2,370 2,360 Balochistan 768 513 ______Total 25,220 15,390 ______
12. *Ms. Shamim Ara Panhwar:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) the location-wise centres for treatment of AIDS in the country at present; and
(b) whether free treatment is being provided to patients of AIDS by said centres?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): (a) The location-wise centres for treatment of AIDS in the country as under: 46 Federal: 1 Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad (PIMS) 2 Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi 3 Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Hospital, Rawalpindi Punjab: 4 Mayo Hospital, Lahore 5 Services Hospital, Lahore 6 Services Hospital, Lahore (Pediatric) 7 Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore 8 Jinnah Hospital, Lahore 9 Fountain House, Lahore 10 Basheeran Begum Welfare Hospital Jalalpur Jattan 11 DHQ Hospital, Sargodha 12 DHQ Hospital, Kot Momin 13 DHQ Hospital, D.G Khan 14 DHQ Hospital (Pediatric), D.G Khan 15 Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, Gujrat 16 Shabir Sharif Shaheed Hospital Kunjah (Pediatric), Gujrat 17 DHQ Hospital, Sheikhupura 18 Allied Hospital, Faisalabad l9 DHQ Hospital, Chiniot 20 DHQ/Civil Hospital, Multan 21 Sheikh Zayed Hospital Raheem Yar Khan Sindh:- 22 Civil Hospital, Karachi 23 Civil Hospital, Karachi (Pediatric) 24 Indus Hospital, Karachi 25 Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi 26 Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi (Pediatric) 27 FHC Liyari Hospital, Karachi 28 Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana 29 Liaqat University of Medical Sciences Hospital, Hyderabad KPK: 30 Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar 31 Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar 32 DHQ Hospital, KDA Hospital, Kohat Balochistan:- 33 Bolan Medical Complex, Quetta 34 DHQ Hospital, Turbet 47 Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) Centers for Pregnant Women:
Federal:
1. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad (PIMS)
Punjab:
2. Services Hospital, Lahore 3. Rahnuma FPAP Family Hospital, Lahore 4. Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, Gujrat 5. DHQ Hospital Sargodha, Sargodha 6. Allied Hospital, Faisalabad 7. DHQ Hospital DG Khan, DG Khan Sindh: 8. Civil Hospital, Karachi 9. Sheikh Zaid Women Hospital, Larkana 10. Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi
KPK:
11. Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
Balochistan:
12. Bolan Medical Complex, Quetta
(b) Yes Government of Pakistan is providing free of cost HIV treatment to patients of AIDS at the above mentioned centres.
13. *Ms. Nooreen Farooq Khan:
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state:
(a) the extent upto which the Government is giving attention to different schools of thought; and 48
(b) the steps being taken by the Government for creating harmony amongst different schools of thought during the last five years alongwith details thereof?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): (a) The Government is very keen and focused regarding promotion of sectarian harmony in the country and due attention is being given to each school of thought.
(b) The Government has taken the following steps for creating harmony among different schools of thought during the last live years:
1. National Ulema and Mashaikh Council has been constituted for the purpose. The Council has representation from all Wifaqs, all schools of thought and all the provinces. It has been assigned the duty to promote religious harmony and to remove hate literature from the curriculum of the Madaris. Three Committees have been established under this Council: Steering Committee, Curriculum Committee and Core Committee. The Council has also proposed that Ulema Boards may be established at National and Provincial levels to monitor hate literature and speech and to recommend legal action against such material.
2. Curriculum Committee constituted under National Ulema and Mashaikh Council looks into the matters related to curriculum of madaris and submits its suggestions to the Ministry for consideration and onward submission to the concerned quarters.
3. Before the commencement of the Holy month of Muharram each year, the Ministry holds a meeting with Ulema and Khutaba of all schools of thought and requests them to promote sectarian harmony during the Holy month. Instructions have already been issued to provincial governments alongwith recommendations of the meeting for holding of similar meetings at provincial and district levels.
4. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony regularly arranges National/International Seerat at Conference on 12th Rabi- ul-Awwal every year wherein prominent Ulerna, Mashaikh, Scholars 49 and people from all walks of life participate. These conferences provide a forum to present their ideas and thoughts on Seerah and teachings of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S). These Conferences also proved to be instrumental in elimination of hatred and prejudices amongst different classes of the society and creating harmony among all sects.
5. Competitions of Seerat Books, Naat and Articles on life, teachings and Seerah of Muhammad (S.A.W.S) are organized in regional, national and international languages for men and women. Prizes are . awarded to position holders. These competitions also prove to be a source of dissemination of teachings of the Holy Prophet, which contain teachings regarding tolerance and harmony.
6. Introduction of social sciences and contemporary subjects in the curriculum of the madaris is also recommended as countering measure to dilute the concentration of extremism and sectarian prejudices from the Madaris. Therefore, work on a comprehensive program of integration of contemporary and religious studies in Madaris has been initiated in consultation with Ministry of Education and Itihad Tanzimat Madaris Pakistan. The matter is also included in the recommendation of National Ulema and Mashaikh Council.
7. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony held meetings with the Ulema of all Muslims sects in five big cities like (Karachi Lahore, Peshawsar, Quetta and Islamabad) of the country to persuade them to abide by a common code of conduct which also contains avoidance from hate speech and literature, which plays an pivotal role in creating harmony among different sects.
8. The Ministry prepared a calendar of Unified timings for Azan and Prayers which has been provided to all mosques of Islamabad for implementation. This will also create sectarian harmony and tolerance among the public.
9. To avoid differences on the occasion of celebration of Islamic festivals and start of Islamic months, meetings of Central, Zonal and District Ruet-e•Hilal Committees were held regularly for sighting the moon on 29th of each lunar month. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meets on four important occasions to sight the moon of Rabi-l•Awwal, Ramzan, Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Azha, which are of great public 50 importance. For rest of the year its members join the meetings of Provincial/District Ruet-e-Hilal Committees at their respective places. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is assisted by Provincial Ruet-e-Hilal Committees and District Ruet-e-Hilal Committees each month.
14. *Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) the year-wise total budget allocated to District Population Welfare Office, G-9/2, Islamabad during the last five years; and
(b) the number of vehicles owned by the said departments at present and the names of officers who have been facilitated with these vehicles alongwith their designations?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): (a) The detail of year-wise total budget allocation is as under: ______Financial Year Budget Allocation (Rs. in millions) ______2013-14 100.000 2014-15 60.222 2015-16 81.942 2016-17 120.000 2017-18 135.073 ______
(b) Nine (09) four wheel vehicles, one (01) Motor Cycle are under the use of department of District Population Welfare Office Islamabad.
No vehicle is assigned/allocated to any officer by name or designation. These vehicles are being used to carry out operational, monitoring, logistic and field duties of this department in rural as well as urban areas falling under the purview of Islamabad Capital Territory. 51 15. *Syed Mehmood Shah:
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the share of Balochistan under Water Accord 1991 at present;
(b) whether Balochistan receives this share at present; if not, the reasons thereof; and
(c) the steps being taken in this regard?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) As per IRSA, The annual share of Balochistan under Water Accord 1991 is 3.87 MAF (2.85 MAF in Kharif and 1.02 MAF in Rabi)
(b) As reported by IRSA, after signing of WAA 1991, Balochistan received about 33% shortage on average as against its authorized share as could be seen from Annexure II.
Balochistan Province is exempted from shortages since 2000. IRSA always releases full indented water supply to Balochistan but irrigation Department, Sindh does not pass on water supply to Balochistan as per IRSA authorization.
(c) Balochistan has taken up the issue of water shortage with Council of Common Interests (CCI). The CCI in its meeting held on 24-9-2018 decided that;
“The CCI decided that Chief Minister, Sindh and Chief Minister, Balochistan to resolve the issue amicably through mutual consultation. The issue has to be resolved in the context of ensuring implementation on ground of the IRSA accord to remove mistrust between the provinces”.
This Ministry approached Secretaries of the Chief Ministers of Sindh and Balochistan, wherein they have been requested to have the requisite meeting, arranged under intimation to the IPC Division. Response is awaited. 52
Annexure-II 53 16. *Syed Javed Husnain:
Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleased to state whether the Government has made any plan to get benefit from the research of CERN Research Centre, Switzerland in order to increase average yield per area and the future changes possible in agriculture sector from the research of CERN?
Minister for National Food Security and Research (Sahibzada Muhammad Mahboob Sultan): At present Government has not made any plan for interaction with CERN in agriculture field for the reason that the main thrust to research of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Switzerland is Applied Physics, Engineering and Computing. The agriculture research is very limited. However, if any technology beneficial for agriculture sector is found then a close interaction may be developed through international cooperation and coordination.
17. *Mr. Ramesh Lal:
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state whether it is a fact that water is not being supplied to Sindh according to Water Apportionment Accord, 1991; if so, reasons thereof?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): As reported by IRSA, irrigation water is being authorized/released not only to Sindh but also to Punjab as per the spirit of Water Apportionment Accord (WAA) 1991 and per its approved 3-Tier Formula.
Sindh Govt .being aggrieved by this decision of IRSA approached Council of Common Interests (CCI) for resolving its concerns over the distribution of water with respect to WAA 1991. After detailed deliberations, the CCI in its meeting held-on 27-5-2018 constituted a committee headed by Attorney General for Pakistan and comprising one representative of each province to look into the said issue. The decision of CCI is reproduced as under:
“The Council of Common Interests decided to constitute a committee headed by Attorney General of Pakistan and comprising one representative from each province. The committee will look into the current issues of availability of water and its distribution in the country and present its recommendations for consideration of the Council of 54 Common Interests. The committee shall also consult the record of proceedings that resulted in approving Water Accord, 1991”.
The above-mentioned committee has held two of its meetings on 15th Nov. 2018 and 4th Dec. 2018. The report of Committee is awaited.
18. *Mr. Sher Akbar Khan:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state as to whether it is a fact that allotments of the quarters/houses/flats have been made in isolation of general waiting list; if so, the details of the allotments and change of allotments made during the last five years alongwith names of the issuing authority?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): No, it is not a fact that Estate Office is making it allotments in isolation of General Waiting List. In fact all the allotments are being made strictly on the basis of General Waiting List. However, if the allotments under rule 12 change, under rule 15(1) &(2) i.e. parental benefits and rule 4(3) of Accommodation Allocation Rules, 2002 have been made during the last five years. The broader break up of allotments made under above rules are given as under: ______Sr. No. Rules No. of allotments ______1. 4(3) of AAR-2002 100 2. 12 of AAR-2002 832 3. 15(1) of AAR-2002 92 4. 15(2) of AAR-2002 631 ______Total 1655 ______
19. *Ms. Naz Baloch:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state:
(a) how long will it take to complete the project of fifty lac houses for deprived people; and 55 (b) details of development works made in the said Housing Schemes alongwith share of each province?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): (a) The target is to construct 5-million houses over a span of 5-years.
(b) Since the project is in the initial phase of strategy formulation therefore, no development work has been carried out so far.
20. *Mr. Muhammad Bashir Khan:
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to implement simultaneous times of prayers across the country, make it mandatory for every Muslim citizen to participate in the congregation of each prayer and halt activities in markets/ bazaars during congregation of prayers; if so,the details; if not, the reasons thereof?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): No. Times of five prayers/Salat have already been to specified according to teaching of Islam. However, the then Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony desired that Markets etc. may be remain closed during the prayer timings. Mosques Committees were specifically instructed to use persuasive measures for the purpose and any coercive measures may be avoided.
2. As far as same time for Salat and Azan in the whole country is concerned, it may be pointed that the Federal Government’s writ under the Constitution is restricted to Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).In this regard, for other parts of the country, the Provincial Governments are fully empowered to take measures as they deem appropriate.
21. *Ch. Muhammad Barjees Tahir:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of houses of Government in Category-I in Islamabad at present alongwith the sector-wise details thereof; 56 (b) the prescribed procedure for allotment thereof; and
(c) the names of Government officers who have applied for allotment of houses of said category so far, alongwith their respective dates of retirement?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): (a) 182 Category-I Government houses exist in Islamabad at present and their sector-wise detail is as under: —————————————————————————————— Sr. # Sector No. of Houses —————————————————————————————— 1 G-8/2 1 2 G-10/3 16 3 F-6/1 1 4 F-6/3 96 5 F-7/1 4 6 F-7/2 1 7 F-7/3 1 8 F-7/4 1 9 F-8/1 8 10 F-8/3 2 11 1-8/1 51 —————————————————————————————— Total 182 ——————————————————————————————
(b) The allotments of category-I houses are made under rule 4(3), 6(7) & 7(1) of Accommodation Allocation Rules, 2002 which is reproduced as below:
“4(3) The Ministry of Housing and Works will provide designated houses for specified posts which shall be allotted to the designated officers on an undertaking that they will vacate the house within three months of their transfer from the post and hand over the possession of the house through concerned Inquiry Office irrespective of the fact that alternate accommodation has been allotted to them or otherwise.”
“6 (7) Federal Secretaries (BPS-22) and officers in BPS-22 will be given priority of allotment of accommodation in case they are not in occupation of Government accommodation elsewhere.” 57 “7(1) The allotment of Government owned accommodation shall be made to the most senior FGS on GWL of a particular class or category of accommodation.”
(c) The list of the officers who have applied for allotment of category-I houses so far, along with their respective date of retirement is annexed herewith.
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
22. *Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that a person working on the post of Nursing Attendant is to be promoted against the post of Dresser and Vaccinator in Federal Government Polyclinic;
(b) the reasons for not promoting Nursing Attendant against the post of Dresser and Vaccinator at present; and
(c) whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to restore the promotion of those Nursing Attendant?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): (a) A person working as a nursing attendant (BS-04) is eligible for promotion to the post of the Ward Master (BS-06), according to approved promotional Rules (S.R.O 1990). Copy is attached (Annex-A).
(b) The reason or not promoting to posts of dresser and vaccinator is that they are not covered under existing rules.
(c) There is no proposal under consideration to amend the 1990 rules mentioned above.
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library) 58
23. *Ms. Zaib Jaffar:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state whether it is a fact that there was a proposal of the previous Government (2013-18) to construct a cancer hospital in Islamabad; if so, the details thereof?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): Yes, there was a proposal under consideration of M/o National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination to construct a Cancer Hospital in Islamabad during previous Government (2013-18). The proposed project was envisaged at an estimated cost of Rs. 20.4 billion and was not recommended by M/o PD&R (Annex-I) Subsequently, it was decided to strengthen the existing infrastructure of PIMS, Islamabad. Accordingly Capital Administration and Development Division proposed a project titled “Establishment of Cancer Hospital, Islamabad” at a total cost of Rs. 1,998.000 million which was approved by CDWP on 12-02-2018 (The brief of the Cancer Hospital, Islamabad is at Annex-I).
Further deliberations by the health Task Force on the above issue took place among various stake holders and it has been decided to increase the capacity of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad (PIMS) by increasing allocated beds for Cancer patients and by recruiting relevant staff instead of building a new hospital. This was based on available data, resources and ground situation in the institution. However, a full fledged hospital will be considered at a later stage.
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
24. *Syed Agha Rafiullah:
Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to state whether it is a fact that the Honda cars authorized dealers demand full payment 45-days before delivery of the vehicles and accept it only before 5th of each month; if so, the reasons and details thereof and action being taken by the Government thereabout?
Minister for Industries and Production: The information gathered by Engineering Development Board of this Ministry did not point out such practice prevails in the market. However, the matter of unfair market practices falls in the preview of Competition Commission of Pakistan. 59
25. *Mr. Gul Dad Khan:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state whether it is a fact that permissions have been granted during previous three years for establishment of new medicines manufacturing units in the country; if so, the details thereof?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): Yes. 57 Licenses have been granted for manufacturing of drugs/medicines to various manufactures during last three years (Detail at Annex-A).
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
26. *Ms. Uzma Riaz:
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that according to WAPDA, we can generate 100,000 MW electricity through Hydel Power at present;
(b) if so, the steps already taken by the previous/present Government to generate Hydel Power during the last five years from 2013 to 2018?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) WAPDA has identified Hydropower potential of around 60,158 MW (Annex-I) and it can go upto 100,000 MW considering whole Indus River System. Only a small / portion of this hydel power potential (9,406 MW) has been harnessed (Annex-II). A large portion is yet to be exploited.
(b) During the last five years, following Hydropower Projects have been completed: ______Sr. No. Name of Project Installed Capacity (MW) ______1. Neelum Jhelum HPP 969 2. Tarbela 4th Extension 1,410 3. Golen Gol HPP 108 ______60 During the last five years, Detail Engineering Design and Feasibility Study of the following Hydropower Projects have been completed: ______Sr. No. Name of Project Installed Capacity (MW) ______Detailed Engineering Design
1. Bunji Hydropower Project 7,100 2. Mohmand Dam HPP 800
Feasibility Study
1. Patan HPP 2,400 2. Thakot (D-3) 2,154 3. Chiniot HPP 80 ______
List of Ongoing, Under Study and future Hydropower Projects is attached as Annex-III.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
27. *Mr. Abdul Qadir Patel:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Estate Office has not been updating General Waiting List (GWL) of all categories of Government accommodations since long; if so, the reasons thereof;
(b) whether it is also a fact that due to non-updation of said GWL, discrepancies in allotment of accommodations are found at present and Estate Office have allotted accommodations to employees who were junior in GWL; if so, the details thereof during the last five years; 61
(c) the category-wise details of employees in GWL to whom allotment was given by the Estate Office according GWL, so far; and
(d) the time by which GWL will be updated and discrepancies would be removed in allotment of accommodations?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): (a) No, it is not a fact that Estate Office has not been up-dating General Waiting List (GWL) of all categories of government accommodations since long.
(b) General Waiting List is being maintained / updated by Estate Office regularly and question of discrepancies in allotment of accommodations due to non updation of General Waiting List does not arise.
(c) The category-wise details of employees in General Waiting List to whom allotment was given by the Estate Office according General Waiting List so far is placed at Annex-I.
(d) As above in (a).
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
28. *Mr. Abdul Shakoor Shad:
Will the Minister for Maritime Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether in the recent years difficulties have increased for Pakistani Seamen in joining their nominated ships at foreign ports; if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether Pakistani Seamen were allowed to travel on “OK TO BOARD” (without visa) however presently they are not allowed anymore;
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to get ”OK TO BOARD”facility from our friendly countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, China, Qatar and UAE; and
62 (d) the steps being taken to make Seamen Service Book available online for verification?
Minister for Maritime Affairs (Syed Ali Haider Zaidi): (a) Reportedly, in recent years, due to strict visa policies Pakistani seamen are facing difficulties in obtaining visas to join vessels at different foreign ports.
(b) Affirmative. Reportedly, there has been a gradual decline in the number of countries which allowed Pakistani seafarers to travel on “OK to Board” to join vessels.
(c) The matter is beyond the ambit of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. It relates to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior and they may be asked to pursue the matter.
(d) Ministry of Information, Technology Telecommunication has been approached to conduct feasibility study for establishing a modern computer section in Government Shipping Office, Karachi for online verification of Seamen Service Book (SSB). Ministry of Information, Technology & Telecommunication, has approved a team to visit the concerned Sub-ordinate facility / office of Ministry of Maritime Affairs, for the purpose. Action in this regard will be taken in the light of said feasibility study.
29. *Dr. Nafisa Shah:
Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleased to state:
(a) the status of sugar cane, wheat and cotton production of the year June, 2018 to till date and the projections thereof for the running year; and
(b) what are the projections for agricultural growth as a result?
Minister for National Food Security and Research (Sahibzada Muhammad Mahboob Sultan): (a) Data on crop productions of wheat, sugarcane and cotton for the last one year and the projected figure for the coming year are as under: 63
Production in “000” Tons ______S. No. Crops Target/Projection Production Production (2018-19) 2017-18 2018-19 (P) ______1. Wheat 25572 25136.2 25572.0 2. Sugarcane 68157 82128 68035.7 3. Cotton* (Million 14.370 11.946 10.847 bales) ______Sources: Economic Wing, M/o National Food Security & Research,. 2. Provincial Crop Reporting services centers.(CRS) 3. PCCC, Multan.
* Cotton = Million bales P = Provisional (2nd Estimate)
(b) Projection for growth in agriculture is 4% for 2018-19.
ISLAMABAD: TAHIR HUSSAIN, The 13th January, 2019 Secretary.
PCPPI— 3093 (19) NA—13-01-2019—650. Hammad 13-01-19 (19) NA (US) PC-06 (Reply Folder)
1 (7th Session)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT
————
“UNSTARRED QUESTIONS AND THEIR REPLIES”
For Monday, the 14th January, 2019
21. Mr. Asmatullah: (Deferred during 5th Session)
Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony be pleased to state the system/structure of the Madina State governance as announced by the Prime Minister?
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri): The Prime Minister of Pakistan on many occasions has announced to restructure Pakistan on the model of the Medina State. Charter of Medina was the first constitution of the Medina state. It provided for the following:
1. Federal structure with a centralized authority with various tribes in various districts constituting unit and enjoying autonomy in certain matters of a social, cultural and religious character.
2. Only in cases of disputes the units could not resolve, the recourses for their decisions had to be made to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
3. It provided for equality to the citizens and protected them against oppression.
4. The state proclaimed the brotherhood of believers and gave each one a right and support to give protection to any individual, excepting an enemy.
5. It extended help to its citizens in debt or in financial difficulties in regard to payment of ransom or blood money.
6. It prohibited help or refuge to be given to a murderer. 2 7. It guaranteed for each community to practice its own religion.
8. It provided for the principle of consultation with the people in all matters.
9. It provided that no evil doer will be punished except for the crime he committed.
The present government is doing its best to restructure all the state institutions as provided in the charter of Medina.
12. Mr. Salahuddin: (Deferred during 6th Session)
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state:
(a) the procedure for recovery of rent from those Government employees who occupy the Government accommodation after their retirement; and
(b) the rent amount outstanding against them at present?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): (a) The procedure for recovery of rent from those Government employees who occupy Government accommodation after their retirement is provided in rule 11(9)(a) &(c) of the Accommodation Allocation Rules, 2002, which is reproduced below:-
11(9) In order to allow the processing of pension case for the retiring or expired allottees the No Demand Certificate shall be issued subject to the following conditions namely:-
(a) he shall clear all the dues including utility bills or damages or deficiencies up to the date of retirement;
(b) Where a pensioner who is allowed to retain the accommodation after his retirement, defaults, the matter shall be referred to AGPR. DBA or CAO as the case may be for recovery of dues from his pension. 3 (b) An amount of Rs.3.6 billion (approx) is outstanding against Government employees who occupy Government accommodation at Karachi after their retirement illegally on account of rent.
1. Ms. Zaib Jaffar:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state the steps being taken by the Government to improve the medical facilities in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): PIMS is providing quality patient care in 37 specialties as in Annex-A.
1. PIMS is providing free of cost all available diagnostic facilities i.e. X-Ray, Laboratory Test, ECG, ETT, EEG, CT, MRI, Echo-Cardiograph etc to all patients.
2. All available facilities including local purchase are free of cost in Emergency & Accident Centers for all patients since last 06 months. In Cardiac Centre of PIMS all medicines / Angioplasty kit, Angiography including stents are free of cost for all emergency patients since 13-07-2018.
3. The PIMS hospital has extensive Drug Formularies (Annex-B) in all components for outdoor & indoor patients providing about 80% medicine free of cost since April, 2018.
4. For poor and deserving patients, drugs for disease like Cancer, Haemophilia, Thalaessaemia etc. and expensive implants for surgeries are provided from Zakat & Pakistan Bait-ul-mal funds.
5. The Kidney Transplant has been started w.e.f July 2018 after a gap of 9 years and the kidney transplant are being carried out regularly. Fourteen (14) dialysis machines have been working round the clock. Improvement in Intensive Care Unit has also been made.
6. The recruitment of 1394 vacant posts is in process in FPSC, OTS and PIMS (summary is enclosed).
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library) 4 2. Mr. Ali Wazir:
Will the Minister for Water Resources be pleased to state:
(a) the salient features/performance/energy generating capacity of the Gomal Zam Dam;
(b) the names, qualifications, age, experience and domicile of employees working with said Dam; and
(c) the royalty of the said Dam being provided to the South Waziristan?
Minister for Water Resources (Mr. Muhammad Faisal Vawda): (a) Salient features / performance / Energy Generating Capacity of the Gomal Zam Dam are as under:
Salient Features ______® Location On Gomal river in South Waziristan Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ® Type RCC Curved Gravity Dam ® Height of Dam 437 ft ® Length of Dam 758 ft ® Length of Main Canal 60 km ® Length of Distributaries 369 km ® Gross Storage 1.140 MAF ® Live Storage 0.892 MAF ® Command Area 163,000 Acres ® Discharge (Main Canal) 24 Cumecs ® Design Discharge (Waran 6 Cumecs Canal) ® Command Area (Waran 28,214 Acres Canal) ® Power Generation 17.4 MW ______5 ______Performance ® Project was completed in June 2013 ® Irrigation component (except Waran Canal) has been operationalized and water is being used for irrigation purpose. ® The Project has Generated 95 Million units till date. Energy Generating Capacity Annual Energy Generating Capacity is 90.9 GWh. Installed Capacity is 17.4 MW ______(b) The names, qualification, age, experience and domicile of employees working on Gomal Zam Darn is attached as Annex-A.
(c) No. Net Hydel Profit (NHP) has been allowed by NEPRA for Gomal Zam Hydel Power Station, therefore, no royalty of the said dam is being provided to the South Waziristan.
(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)
3. Moulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state whether Chitral has been included in Housing Scheme i.e NAYA Pakistan Housing Project consisting of fifty lac housing units?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): Currently, Chitral is not included in the Housing Scheme.
4. Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state whether Karachi has been included in NAYA Pakistan Housing Project; if so, details; if not, reasons thereof?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): Yes, Karachi is included in NAYA Pakistan Housing Scheme. 6 5. Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state:
(a) whether renovation work of House No.13, Street No.5, Category-II, Sector G-10/3, Islamabad has been initiated; if not, reasons thereof; and
(b) the time by which same will be completed?
Minister for Housing and Works (Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema): (a) The renovation work of House No. 13, Street No 05, Category-II, Sector G-10/3, Islamabad could not be initiated due to paucity / shortage of funds. It is apprised that the total funds amounting to Rs. 1.000 (million) are allocated vide letter No. 725/437-B (W)/2018-19/IBD (Distt) dated 30-08-2018 (to clear the matured liabilities) far repair and maintenance of 2163 No’s of Government houses of Cat-I, IIand Government, flats of Cat- III, IV and V, scattaed in Rawalpindi / Islamabad, which comes to Rs. 462/- per house / flats.
Funds amouting to Rs. 10.000/- (M) were demanded vide letter No. EE.CCDVIII/AB/R.B.D/2018-19/5248 dated 24-11-2017 out of above allocalion Rs. 0.400 (Million) has been released so far, for 1st and 2nd quarter, the funds are not released category or sector wise.
(b) The repair of the said house will be carried out within one month on the receipt of funds.
6. Ms. Shams Un Nisa:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state the steps being taken to control population in the country?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): The Population Planning / Population Welfare Programme of Pakistan is in place since early 60s in different shapes and different administrative structure.
After 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010, Population Planning being on the concurrent list has been transferred to Provincial Governments. Therefore, 7 Population Welfare Programs are now implemented by Provincial Governments and the role of Federal Government has been limited to coordinate and synergize the efforts of the Provincial and Regional Governments and other implementing partners in the public & private sector.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan, took Suo Moto vide its order dated 4th September, 2018, and constituted a Task Force in Human Rights Case No. 17599 of 2018 - in the matter regarding alarming High Population Growth Rate in the Country. It specifically pertained “...to formulation of the mechanisms to curb high population growth in the country...”. The Task Force finalized the recommendations and submitted to the Honorable Supreme Court and the same were endorsed by the Honorable Supreme Court. The recommendations were placed before the CCI on 19th November, 2018 and the CCI approved, in Principle, the recommendations.
As per the decision of the CCI, a Federal Task Force headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Provincial Task Forces headed by their respected Chief Ministers have been constituted, For the operationalization of the CCI approved recommendation; formulation of an action plan is in process and be completed by 11th January, 2019.
The CCI approved recommendations and the decisions of CCI are at Annex I and II respectively.
(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)
7. Ms. Shams Un Nisa:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Ambulances provided to the Government Hospitals so far; and
(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to provide more Ambulances to said Hospitals?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): (a) There are four (04) Federal Hospitals namely Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), 8 Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC), National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), and Federal General Hospital (FGH) Islamabad which are working under administrative control of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination.
The detail of Ambulances provided to the said Hospitals so far is as under:
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS):
There are 16 Ambulances provided to PIMS since 1986 to 2008, including donated ambulances. No Ambulance has been provided after 2008 till to date.
Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC):
At present, there are 08 Ambulances available for patient’s duty in FGPC. This hospital is facing difficulties due to shortage of ambulances. During the last few years 16 vehicles (11 Ambulances + 05 Operational duty vehicles) were condemned but no replacement has been made to this hospital. Furthermore, no purchase has been made due to non-allocation of funds and continuous ban imposed on purchase of vehicles for the last five years.
National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM):
National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine is a 160 bedded, tertiary care hospital in Islamabad exclusively meant to provide medical treatment and rehabilitative services to the disabled patients. There is only one Ambulance in NIRM which was purchased in 2007.
Federal General Hospital (FGH):
At present, the Federal General Hospital have two ambulances.
(b) The Hospital wise detail about proposal to provide more ambulances is under:
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS):
The PC-I for purchase of the New Squad of 20 Ambulances will be submitted to the concerned authorities soon. 9 Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC):
Policy matter relates to Cabinet, However, this hospital has requested several times to concerned quarters for permission of lifting of ban and allocation of funds to purchase the 33 ambulances to meet the current needs.
National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM):
Due to increasing load of patients, NIRM desperately need at least two more Ambulances to curtail / shift the rush on the existing one. NIRM would vehemently support any such proposal if under the consideration of government for provision of more ambulances to the hospital where need/requirement is enormous.
Federal General Hospital (FGH):
The Federal General Hospital had submitted a request for purchase of two ambulances through PSDP during the previous financial year 2017-18. Due to shortage of funds, the proposal was not approved. The hospital intends to send a proposal for purchase of two ambulances through PSDP so that ambulances can be purchased during current financial year 2018-19 through re-appropriation or allocation of budget for purchase of ambulances in the next financial year 2019-20.
8. Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:
Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that a letter No.P.Sectt.(Public)’s U.O.No.2(2791)/Dir(A-II)/07 dated May 9th, 2008 was written by the President Secretariat (Public) to Ministry of Housing and Works to determine position of the case pertaining to the allotment of Government owned quarters in Sector G-6, Islamabad to the existing occupants on ownerships basis;
(b) if the answer to part (a) above is in the affirmative, the details thereof?
Reply not Received. 10 9. Mr. Salahuddin:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state whether it is a fact that the number of patients suffering from AIDS virus are increasing in Pakistan; if so, the steps being taken by the Government to control the same?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): Yes, it is a fact that the number of patients suffering from AIDS virus are increasing in Pakistan, due to the evolving disease trends which have shown increased prevalence in some groups.
® Keeping in view, the changing trends in epidemiology of this disease National AIDS Control Program with the support of Global Fund and UN agencies has introduced a modified HIV Prevention Model to provide comprehensive prevention services to Most at Risk Populations in order to prevent this disease from spreading to general populations. This model is based on services being provided by the communities themselves. On the other hand, Government is expanding its treatment program “Treatment for All” from 2018 onwards that will also reduce transmission of infection by reducing the virus in the blood of an infected person.
Steps taken by the Government
The Pakistan AIDS Strategy (2017-2021) was revised to incorporate the updated epidemiological evidence and reinforce the National Response (through domestic and other resources) to control the rising epidemic and align the National targets with the SDGs for reducing the number of new HIV infections. Efforts have been made to integrate this strategy, with other health strategies but keeping in view the peculiarity of this disease integration is possible to a certain level since this disease deals with Key Populations such as Injecting Drug Users, Transgenders and Sex Workers.
® National AIDS Control Program, in collaboration with Provincial Health departments have established 34 HIV/AIDS treatment centres, 12 Prevention of Parents to Child Transmission (PPTCT) centres and 17 Community-based Organizations (CBOs) across the country.
® From these treatment centres Antiretroviral. Medicines and diagnostics are provided to all HIV positives free of cost. 11 ® Post devolution coordination mechanisms exist between the National and Provincial Programmes.
® Liaison and coordination with other programmes such as National Program of Blood Transfusion, Hepatitis Program and other stakeholders {UN and Development partners, M/o NHSR&C, goverment departments, civil society and community organizations, Association of People Living with HIV (APLHIV) exist for management of co-infections and addressing stigma & discrimination attached to the disease of HIV/AIDS.
10. Mr. Salahuddin:
Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination be pleased to state the name of institute available to check the quality/standard of various types of medical devices including artificial limbs, heart stunts, bone implants, cannula, catheter administered to the patients in the country; if not, the reasons thereof?
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Mr. Aamer Mehmood Kiani): Central Drug Testing Laboratory (CDL), Karachi is the laboratory available for testing / analysis of quality / standard of various types of medical devices such as syringes, cannula, IV catheter, sutures etc. Furthermore, for high-tech medical devices such as heart stents are imported from Stringent regulatory sources such as USA, Japan, Australia, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, , France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom or pre-qualified by World Health Organization or CE marked by manufacturer whose conformity assessment is performed by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) notified in New Approach Notified and Designated Organization (NANDO) Database under the relevant European directives to ensure that quality and safe medical devices are imported.
11. Mr. Abdul Majeed Khan:
Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any programme to provide fertilizer, seeds and pesticides to farmers;
(b) whether it is a fact that after harvesting the crops farmers have 12 to come to centres to sell their crops; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to bind farmers for cultivating crops according to demand so that they would not have to face difficulties to sell their crops?
Minister for National Food Security and Research (Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan): (a) Availability of basic agricultural inputs has been ensured. Arrangements have been made for urea through import by providing subsidy.
(b) Yes
(c) Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) meets twice in a year before initiation of Rabi and Kharif seasons. FCA regularly reviews the performance of crop sector of previous season and fixes the targets for the coming season in connection with requirement of the country at the national level.
ISLAMABAD: TAHIR HUSSAIN, The 13th January, 2019. Secretary.
PCPPI—3093(19) NA—13-01-2019—650.