Questions for Oral Answers and Their Replies”

1 (271st Session)

SENATE SECRETARIAT ————— “QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES”

to be asked at a sitting of the Senate to be held on

Wednesday, the 20th December, 2017

DEFERRED QUESTIONS

[Questions Nos. 43, 149, 226, 229, 230, 232 and 233 deferred on 10th November, 2017, (269th Session)]

(Def.) *Question No. 43 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 02-10-2017 at 09:20 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the amount spent by the Government on the war against terror in the country during the last ten years with year wise and head wise break up; and

(b) the amount received by the Government from the United States of America for controlling terrorism in the country during the said period with year wise head wise break up?

Reply not received.

(Def.) *Question No. 149 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 09-10-2017 at 09:10 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms be pleased to state the details of estimated annual revenue to be accrued to Pakistan through various agreements between Pakistan and China made under the CPEC with project wise break-up? 2 Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: Out of US$ 47 billion CPEC portfolio, the bulk (around US$ 35 billion) is for energy projects whereas US$ 12 billion is for roads and other infrastructure projects.

The overall energy projects aim to add 17045 megawatts to mitigate chronic electricity shortfall and provide a reliable support for domestic economic activities and exports. The enhanced power generation capacity resulting from CPEC projects is expected to add 2 percentage points to GDP growth in the medium to long term.

CPEC transport infrastructure projects (roads, railways, port facility upgrade) would allow easier and low cost access to domestic and overseas markets, promoting interregional and international merchandise trade. Services exports would also benefit from increased trade traffic from China.

The establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) alongside CPEC routes will facilitate domestic and foreign investment. These SEZs would have multiplier effect on growth via connectivity to other regions, accessibility to markets, job creation, etc. This will also help in integrating less developed areas into the folds of active development.

The project-wise revenue to be accrued to Pakistan, however, cannot be estimated at this stage.

(Def.) *Question No. 226 Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood: (Notice received on 06-10-2017 at 9:15 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state;

(a) Whether it is a fact that the Finance Division has launched a project for construction of fish landing jetty and allied harbor facilities at Surbandar, East Bay Gwadar, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the amount spent on the said project so far; and

(c) the percentage of work completed on that project and the time by which the remaining work will be completed? 3 Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) Yes, the project “Construction of Fish Landing Jetty and Allied Harbor Facilities at Surbandar, East Bay Gwadar” is being funded by the Federal Government and Government of Balochistan on a cost sharing basis (80:20). The project was approved at a cost of Rs. 1,618.715 million. The aim of the project is to provide basic facilities for berthing and handling of fishing vessels. This will provide alternate harbor to the fishermen of the area.

(b) An amount of Rs. 1,144.314 million has been spent on the project.

(Def.) *Question No. 229 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 23-10-2017 at 09:00 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state the details of mechanism evolved by the Government to monitor the number and amounts of mobile phone cards and easy load being issued or sold by the Mobile Telephone Companies in the country for the purpose of collection of tax on the same?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), the IT arm of FBR in consultation with Telcos has developed a Utility which requires Telcos to upload withholding data file on agreed format. The Telcos with the intervention of PTA have agreed to upload data on the new format from August 2017.

2. So far two Cellular Companies i.e. M/s Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited (PMCL) (Jazz) and M/s Pakistan Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML) (Ufone) have uploaded their data on the new format. The data uploaded by the Pakistan Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML) contain certain errors. PRAL is in contact with PTML for removal of said errors. The remaining two companies i.e. M/s Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd and M/s CM Pak (Zong) have yet to upload their data and are being pursued to complete the task at an early date.

3. Since on the new software, the Telcos are to provide information of customer wise usage of telephone including easy loads/calling cards used per month, 4 the information so submitted can easily be cross-matched by the officer having jurisdiction of monitoring, Withholding tax with information available with the companies during his field audits.

(Def.) *Question No. 230 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 23-10-2017 at 03:50 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the details of private institutions or companies, other than banks, which are legally carrying out money transactions indicating also the annual volume of their business in each case; and

(b) the details of private institutions or companies involved in illegal business of interest indicating also the action taken by the Government against them so far?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) The Exchange Companies, beside Banks carry out legal money transactions. The operations of these Exchange Companies are regulated and supervised by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947. Presently, there are 27 full-fledged “A” and 25 “B” Category Exchange Companies (Annex-A) operating in the country. The operations of these Exchange Companies include sale & purchase of foreign currencies, foreign remittances, both inward and outward, and export of surplus foreign currencies other than US dollars, Category-B Exchange Companies only deal in sale and purchase of foreign currencies. However, Exchange Companies neither can take deposits from the general public nor they do lending business. Details of annual Revenue/Income of these 52 Exchange Companies are at Annex-B.

(b) State Bank of Pakistan and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) can take action against only those companies which have got licence from the SBP and registered with the SECP. Action against those private institutions or companies not registered with SBP/SECP and are involved in illegal business of interest is taken by the FIA and the NAB. 5

Annexure-A 6

Annex-B 7

(Def.) *Question No. 232 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 26-10-2017 at 09:45 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state the amount of short term and long terms foreign loans obtained by the Government during the last five years indicating also the name of lending country and organization and interest rate in each case? 8 Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: Details of short term and long term Foreign loans obtained by the Government during the last five years are as follows. The detail of lending country, organization and interest rate is annexed. 9 10 (Def.) *Question No. 233 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 27-10-2017 at 04:50 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state the amount of aid received from USA during the last three years and the details of its utilization?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: The USA has provided US$ 335.446 million during the last three years through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement-Pakistan (INLP). Details are at Annex-A. 11 A - e r u x e n n A 12 13 *Question No. 110 Senator Mohsin Aziz: (Notice received on 10-11-2017 at 02:00 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the number of projects or entities mortgaged by the present Government against sukuk bonds obtaining loans since 2013; and

(b) the terms and conditions set down repayments in the said agreements?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) No project or entity has been mortgaged by the present government for obtaining loans under Sukuk transaction. However, for completion of Islamic structure, the Ml, M2 and M3 motorways and Jinnah International Airport, Karachi have been used as underlying assets.

(b) The following terms and conditions have been set down for repayments:

International Sukuk —————————————————————————————— FY Amount ($ Million) Repayment —————————————————————————————— 2013-14 - - 2014-15 1,000 Dec. 2019 2015-16 - - 2016-17 1,000 Oct. 2021 2017-18 1,000 Nov. 2022 —————————————————————————————— Domestic Sukuk —————————————————————————————— FY Amount ($ Million) Repayment —————————————————————————————— 2013-14 49,537 Paid 2014-15 - - 2015-16* 314,379 Dec. 2018 to Mar. 2019 2016-17 71,007 Jun 2020 2017-18 1,000 - —————————————————————————————— *Issues in three tranches 14 *Question No. 111 Senator Mohsin Aziz: (Notice received on 10-11-2017 at 02:00 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to state whether it is a fact that the employees of Pakistan Steel Mill are not being their salaries on regular basis, if so, the reasons thereof?

Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi: Net cash Salaries (take home salaries to the PSM. employees are currently being paid by the Government of Pakistan after lapse of 2 to 3 months. The PSM’s employees have been paid their salary up to the month of July, 2017 in the month of November, 2017. However, Salaries for the months of August and September, 2017 has been paid.

The Corporation is not in a position to generate its working capital requirements due to stoppage of production since June 2015 due to reduction of gas pressure by SSGC. PSM has very limited saleable inventory per month which cannot meet day-to- day expenditures such as utilities, medical, taxation and Interest including food, transport, stationery and repair, etc.

*Question No. 112 Senator Col. (R) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi: (Notice received on 13-11-2017 at 10:15 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state whether it is a fact that FBR has failed to achieve the target of revenue collection during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to overcome the same?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: It is incorrect to say that FBR has failed to achieve the revenue target during 1st quarter of the current fiscal year. In fact, FBR has collected Rs. 764.9 billion during the 1st quarter 2017-18, registering a growth of 22% over the collection of PFY 2016- 17. In order to achieve the revenue target of Rs. 4,013 billion for the current fiscal year, FBR is required to achieve a growth of 19.15% over the collection of PFY. Whereas, FBR’s revenues in the 1st quarter have registered a growth of more than 22% over the collection made in the 1st quarter of the last year, which is above the required growth of 19.15%. Therefore, FBR is well on track to achieve the annual target. 15 Tax Collection of 1st Quarter 2017-18

(Rs. Billion) —————————————————————————————— Taxes Collection —————————————————————————————— Direct Tax 282.857 Sales Tax 314.414 FED 38.812 Customs 128.873 —————————————————————————————— Total: 764.956 —————————————————————————————— *Question No. 113 Senator Col. (R) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi: (Notice received on 13-11-2017 at 10:15 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the steps being taken by the Government to control the smuggling of animals and other items to and from the country; and

(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to improve the existing laws for the said purpose, if so, when?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) The task of preventing smuggling from neighboring countries is challenging due to the long porous Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders, mountainous terrain, tribal society as well as volatile law and order situation in the region. Apart from a few designated Customs Stations/ posts, the Customs department has no physical presence on the international borders for preventing smuggling of animals and other items through unfrequented routes which are being manned by other Law Enforcement Agencies. That’s why the Federal Board of Revenue has authorized the officers of Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Corps [Khyber Paktunkhwa including FATA] to exercise anti-smuggling powers under section 6 of the Customs Act, 1969 within 20 kilometers of the international borders. Likewise, Pakistan Coast Guards and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency are empowered to exercise anti-smuggling powers along the coast line and in the high seas. 16 As regards smuggling of live animals, Pakistan Customs took various steps including enhanced vigilance on smuggling prone routes, closer coordination with other LEAs, and effective use of various Customs Check Posts. This resulted in seizures by the Model Collectorate of Customs, Quetta, of 978 animals of CIF value amounting to Rs.21.483 million during 2016-17 and 431 animals of CIF value amounting to Rs.14.064 million during this year. In case of other items, a visible increase in seizures of smuggled goods can be observed, due to heightened enforcement efforts made by Pakistan Customs. Following is an abstract of smuggled Goods seized: VALUE OF TOTAL SEIZURES —————————————————————————————— FY CIF Value (Rs. in Millions) —————————————————————————————— 2014-15 9,582 2015-16 14,343 2016-17 15,652 2017-18 4,630 (July, 2017 to October, 2017) —————————————————————————————— (b) The existing legislation is quite comprehensive such as the Customs Act, 1969, Pakistan Animal Quarantine (Import and Export of Animal and Animal Products) Ordinance, 1979, Pakistan Plant Quarantine Act, 1976, CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), Appendix-I and II of Export Policy Order, Appendix-B of the Import Policy Order and rules made there-under.

*Question No. 114 Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh: (Notice received on 13-11-2017 at 11:20 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state the amount recovered by FBR from mobile phone companies in the country on amount of sales tax fraud during the last two years indicating also the name of company, amount recovered and action taken against them in each case? Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: No such amount has been recovered from the mobile phone companies on account of sales tax fraud during the last two years. After 18th amendment in the Constitution of 17 Islamic Republic of Pakistan, collection of sales tax on services has been transferred to Provincial Authorities, whereas, Federal Excise Duty on services rendered in Federal Capital Territory is being collected by Federal Board of Revenue.

*Question No. 115 Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar: (Notice received on 13-11-2017 at 03:40 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the number of posts of Customs Inspectors became vacant in Customs Collectorate, Quetta during the last five year wise break up; and

(b) whether it is a fact that despite conducting the departmental promotion examination for filling the post of customs inspectors, some 30 posts in the said Collectrate have still not been filled in, if so, the reasons thereof?

Reply not received.

*Question No. 116 Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar: (Notice received on 13-11-2017 at 03:40 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the number of posts of Cutoms Inspectors became vacant in FBR during the last five year with year wise and collectorate wise break up; and

(b) the number of the said posts filled through direct recruitment regular promotions and out of turn promotions, separately, during that period with year wise and collectorate wise break up?

Reply not received. 18 *Question No. 117 Senator Syed Shibli Faraz: (Notice received on 13-11-2017 at 04:35 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the amount of circular debt at present; and

(b) the head under which the said debt has been reflected in the annual report of the State Bank of Pakistan, 2016-2017?

Reply not received.

*Question No. 118 Senator Sirajul Haq: (Notice received on 14-11-2017 at 11:00 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Statistics be pleased to state:

(a) the mechanism adopted for conducting the census, 2017 in the country indicating also the name of authority which supervised the same; and

(b) whether any petition has been filed against the said census, if so, the name of court and the plea taken by the petitioner in each case?

Mr. Kamran Michael: (a) In order to conduct free, fair and transparent Census-2017, the following mechanism was adopted.

 Geographical area of the country has been delimited into Census Charges, Census Circles and Census Blocks and their maps were accordingly prepared which were supplied to the field staff during the field operation of population and housing Census-2017.

 The Census staff i.e. Charge Superintendents, Circle Supervisors, and Enumerators were appointed from the nation building departments including Education Department, Revenue Department, Municipal Committees / Town Committees. 19

 All the Tehsils in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhaw were declared as Census District Offices and the respective Assistant Commissioners were declared as Census District Officers.

 Similarly in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and FATA all districts / Agencies were declared as Census Districts and the Deputy Commissioners and Political Agent concerned were declared as Census District Officers.

 All the Cantonment Boards in the country were declared Census Districts and Cantonment Executive Officers were declared as Census District Officers.

 All the Deputy Commissioner have been declared as a Census District Coordinator in the province Punjab, Sind and KP.

 Provincial Census Commissioners for each province were appointed for 6th Population and Housing Census for smooth and effective coordination at province level.

 Vigilance Teams at Provincial/ Divisional / Districts and Census District levels were constituted for checking / supervision of the Census Operation.

 Control Rooms at PBS Headquarters, Provincial, Divisional, District and Census District Offices were established for receiving complaints during census operation-2017.

 Five teams of International / National Observers, arranged by UNFPA visited various parts of the country and monitored field activities. All teams expressed their satisfaction on the Census operations.

 The Technical Committees constituted by the Provincial Governments of Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan and FATA visited PBS to monitor data processing of the Census-2017. The Committees were given detailed presentation on the Data Processing steps.

 Mr. Asif Bajwa, Chief Statistician / Chief Census Commissioner, PBS Islamabad supervised the overall Census work. 20 (b) The following petitions have been filed against the Census-2017:

 A Writ Petition was lodged in the Lahore High Court, which passed an order that the disabled should also be counted during the 6th Population & Housing Census. This order was upheld by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The data of disabled persons has been collected under the said order. The data collected for disable persons is meager which could not be published. It has occurred due to non-training of Field Staff and late communication of instructions to the field staff.

 Writ Petitions were lodged in the Peshawar and Sindh High Courts, which passed orders that separate codes for Sikh and other religions may also be included in the Census questionnaire. The PBS filed an appeal against the said orders in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Honourable Court granted a stay order against the orders passed by the High Courts.

 CP No. 27/2017 Filed by Balochistan National Party through its representative Ghulam Nabi Marri, in High Court of Balochistan, Quetta regarding counting of Afghans which will change the social fabric of society.(Case is Subjudice)

 Writ Petition No. 1668/2017 is filed in the Islamabad High Court, Islamabad on the dispute of boundaries amongst ICT, Islamabad and Rawalpindi Cantt. PBS has conducted Census in pursuance of the orders passed by Honourable Supreme Court and decision taken by the Council of Common Interests. The population figures so obtained will be adjusted in the population of respective areas as per orders passed by the Honourable Court. (Case is Subjudice)

 CP. No. nil of 2017 is filed by Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian through its Secretary General Mr. Farhatullah Babar in the High Court, Sindh regarding methodology and related issues adopted for Census- 2017.(Case is Subjudice)

 CP No. D-5922/2017 is filed by Pakistan Qaumi Movement in the Honourable Sindh High Court Karachi vs Federal of Pakistan requesting that the results of Census-2017 may be set aside and fresh Census may be conducted under the supervision of Judicial Commission.(Case is Subjudice) 21

 Writ Petition filed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan) in the Supreme court of Pakistan that no employee of Provincial Government of Sindh can take part in undertaking of the Census and the same should only be held under the supervision of the honourable court which may depute officers and institutions including the officers/ soldiers of the Pakistan Army.(Case is Subjudice)

 CP No. 1326/2017 filed by Shah Hussain & others vs. Government of Pakistan and others in Peshawar High Court regarding inclusion of villages of Mohmand Agency in district Charsadda and Peshawar be declared as illegal and against the factual position as was in the last census-1998 and consequently may be declared to treat these villages as part of Census of Mohmand Agency for the purpose of Census / Elections. (Case is Subjudice)

 Writ Petition No. 705-P of 2017 filed by Mr. Irfanullah s/o Muhammad Saleem Khan in Peshawar High Court regarding inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the census questionnaire. Peshawar High Court disposed of the said case vide No. 635/ Judl: dated 19-9-2017 with the direction to submit final report in this regard to the Additional Registrar (Judicial) of Peshawar High Court. Final report will be submitted to the Additional Registrar (Judicial) of Peshawar High Court as and when it will be completed (hopefully by the end of April, 2018).

*Question No. 119 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 14-11-2017 at 11:05 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to state:

(a) the number of persons working in Pakistan Steel Mills on regular, contract and daily wages basis indicating also the expenditure being incurred on their monthly salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits admissible to them; and

(b) the number of employees of the said Mills who have been sacked during the last four years?

Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi: (a) The details of existing employees / persons working in Pakistan Steel ( on Regular, Contract and Daily wages basis) 22 and their expenditure being incurred on monthly salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits admissible to them as on 30-08-2017 is as under:—

(b)

*Question No. 120 Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini: (Notice received on 14-11-2017 at 11:25 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state: 23 (a) the current account deficit of the country during the last two years with month wise break up; and (b) whether it is a fact that the said deficit has been increasing continuously during the said period, if so, the reasons thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to control the same? Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) The Current Account Deficit for FY 2016 and FY 2017 was $ 4.9 billion and $ 12.4 billion respectively. The month wise breakup is as under:—

(b) The Current Account Deficit for FY16 was $4.9 billion as compared to $ 2.8 billion the previous year, showing an increase of $2.1 billion during the year (75% higher than previous year and equivalent to 1.7% of GDP). The Current Account during FY17 however, increased to $ 12.4 billion showing an increase of $7.5 billion (153.1% higher than previous year and equivalent to 4.1% of GDP). In this context, it must be noted that the widening of current account deficit was accompanied with a decade high level of real GDP growth. Specifically, the country’s real GDP grew by 5.3 % in 2016-17, as compared to 4.5% in the previous year 2015-16.Consequently, the pickup in economic activity along with investments in CPEC projects, have created demand for machinery, petroleum products and other productive imports. 24 2. As imports increased, exports faced a stagnant trend due to the subdued demand, depressed commodity prices globally coupled with the energy shortages and law &order situation in the country, which adversely affected the exports. There was also stagnancy in remittances due to tight budgetary conditions in GCC countries as a result of low oil prices, strict regulatory requirements in USA and depreciation of pound sterling against US dollar. 3. However, the Government is cognizant of current account deficit and has taken the following steps to contain it:

 Export package of Rs 180 billion has been given to boost exports.  Un-interrupted energy supplies to export sectors.  Imposition of regulatory duties on import of a large number of non- essential items and enforcement of 100 percent cash margin requirement.  Strengthening Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) through improvement in transaction efficiency and better incentives.

4. Further, the Government of Pakistan has recently expanded the export package to achieve substantial increase in exports. In addition, regulatory duties have been increased on some of import items while duties have also been imposed on new items. This is likely to substantially check the growth in imports of non- essential and luxury goods. 5. With the aforesaid measures taking effect, the negative trend in exports has bottomed out and exports have increased by 11.2% and workers’ remittances by 2.3% during July-October, 2017 as against corresponding period of last year. FDI during July-October, 2017-18 stood at $940 million as compared to figure of $538 million in the corresponding period of last year showing an impressive growth of 74%. With these positive trends strengthening, in coming months the current account deficit may substantially improve in FY18.

*Question No. 122 Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh: (Notice received on 14-11-2017 at 12:30 p.m.) Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state: (a) the amount of internal and external debt obtained by the present Government during its tenure; and (b) the annual amount of be repaid on account of the said debt during the next five years? 25 Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) The amount of public internal and external debt obtained from June 2013 till end Sep 2017 is as follows:

(b) The annual amount to be repaid in account of the said debt during next five years are as follows:

Domestic debt is mostly refinanced on their respective maturity dates. *Question No. 124 Senator Sherry Rehman: (Notice received on 20-11-2017 at 03:30 p.m.) Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that cellular companies do not provide income tax certificate to the consumers so that they could file their tax returns, if so the reasons thereof; (b) whether Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) keeps the said record; and (c) the name of authority which directly collects the amount of tax being charged on using mobile cards? 26 Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) Issuance of certificate of collection of tax under section 236 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 is the responsibility of the Telecom Companies in terms of the provisions of Rule 42 of the Income Tax Rules, 2002. Cellular mobile operators provide income tax deduction certificate to all consumers who approach the companies and it is also available on website of mobile companies. (b) The matter relates to PTA Being withholding agent, the responsibility to collect tax under section 236 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 solely rests with each cellular / mobile company which is deposited to F.B.R on weekly basis. General Sales Tax is also levied and charged by mobile phone companies on all prepaid and post paid cards / bills which is subject matter of Provinces after 18th amendment to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan except for Islamabad Capital Territory which comes under the ambit of F.B.R.

*Question No. 125 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 21-11-2017 at 11:10 a.m.) Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state: (a) the number of Non-Government Organization (NGOs) which applied for registration during the last four years with year wise break up; (b) the names of the said NGOs which were approved or cleared for registration; and (c) the names of those NGOs which were not approved or granted clearance for registration indicating also the reasons thereof in each case? Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) Till date a total of 168 NGOs have applied for registration with EAD. Out of 168 NGOs, 26 applied in 2016 and 142 NGOs have applied in 2017. (b) 33NGOs have been registered with Economic Affairs Division so far (Annex-I).

(c) 07 cases of NGOs have not been approved based on views/ comments from the stakeholders (Annex-II). 27 Annex-I 28 Annex-II

*Question No. 126 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 21-11-2017 at 04:00 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the amount of domestic debts as in June, 2013, June, 2014, June, 2015, June, 2016, and June, 2017 indicating also the sources from which the same have been obtained and the rates of interest at which obtained; and

(b) the details of utilization of the said debt amounts with year wise break up?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) The amount of net domestic debt stock as end June, 2013, June, 2014, June, 2015 June, 2016 and June, 2017 is tabulated below: 29

(b) The amount raised through domestic debt is credited into Federal Consolidated Fund maintained by State Bank of Pakistan and is utilized as per requirements of the Government for both current and development expenditure. *Question No. 127 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 21-11-2017 at 04:00 p.m.) Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state: (a) the expenditure incurred on purchase of the software system for tax filing; and (b) the criteria adopted for the selection of the said system? Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) Income Tax filing is done through IRIS, software developed in-house through joint efforts of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers and Pakistan Revenue Automation Ltd (PRAL). As such no expenditure was incurred. 30 (b) Not Applicable, in view of reply in part (a). *Question No. 128 Senator Sherry Rehman: (Notice received on 22-11-2017 at 04:50 p.m.) Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state: (a) the details of pay, allowances and other fringe benefits admissible to the Auditor General of Pakistan, indicating also the tenure of this post; and (b) the name, educational qualifications and experience of the incumbent AGP? Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a)

As per Article 168(3) of the Constitution, the Auditor General of Pakistan shall hold office for a term of four years from the date on which he assumes such office or attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier. Accordingly, the present Auditor General of Pakistan has been appointed for four years w.e.f 17-08-2017. i) Name: Mr. Javaid Jehangir ii) Qualification: a) MA (English Literature) b) BA (Economics) c) International Auditor Fellowship Programme. iii) Experience / Service History annexed. 31 e r u x e n n A 32 33 *Question No. 130 Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini: (Notice received on 23-11-2017 at 01:30 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to reduce taxes on setting up of new Industries and businesses in order to encourage local investors to boost economy of the country?

Reply not received.

*Question No. 131 Senator Kalsoom Perveen: (Notice received on 27-11-2017 at 01:30 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Planning Development and Reforms be pleased to state whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to allow the use of Chinese currency in Gawadar, if so, the details thereof?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: There is no proposal under consideration to allow the use of Chinese currency in Gwadar.

*Question No. 132 Senator Kalsoom Perveen: (Notice received on 27-11-2017 at 01:30 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms be pleased to state the name of the CPEC project under which clean drinking water will be provided to the residents of Gawadar indicating also the amount for the project during the current fiscal year and the time by which the same will be completed?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: Necessary Facilities of Fresh Water Treatment, Water Supply and Distribution, Gwadar is the project to be implemented under CPEC. Rs. 700 million is allocated for the project during the current fiscal year.

*Question No. 133 Senator Sherry Rehman: (Notice received on 28-11-2017 at 11:15 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Science and Technology be pleased to state whether it is a fact that for the development of Science and 34 Technology in the country, only Rs. 2 billion have been allocated during the current fiscal year, if so, the reasons for such a small allocation for the same?

Rana Tanveer Hussain: In Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2017-18, an amount of Rs. 2538.727 Million has been allocated to Ministry of Science & Technology against 33 development projects. Project-wise detail is attached at Annex-I.

Ministry of Science & Technology had demanded Rs. 3.00 billion for 53 projects from Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform after making presentation to Senate Standing Committee on S&T and National Assembly Standing Committee on S&T. Annex-I 35

B New Projects 36

*Question No. 134 Senator Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel : (Notice received on 28-11-2017 at 02:50 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state whether it is a fact that the post of Assistants in BISP have not been upgraded from BPS-14 to BPS-16 as was done in other Government departments, if so, the reasons thereof and the time by which the same will be upgraded to BPS-16?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: The post of Assistant in BISP has been upgraded from BPS-14 to BPS-15 w.e.f 01.07.2016 in pursuance of Establishment Division policy circulated vide O.M. dated 10.08.2016 with the approval of the BISP Board in its 27th meeting held on 26th September, 2016. All the upgraded Assistants have further been allowed BPS/ SPS-16 as one time dispensation. 37 *Question No. 135 Senator Samina Saeed: (Notice received on 29-11-2017 at 09:25 a.m.)

Will the Minister fro Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the allowances being paid to the Government Employees were freezed during the budget 2016-17, if so, the time by which the same will be de-freezed;

(b) whether it is also a fact that the said employees are being paid those allowances on the basis of the basic pay scales of 2008; and

(c) whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to allow the payment of the said allowances to those employees on the basis of their current basic pay scales, if so, when?

Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs: (a) Yes allowances were frozen at the level drawn as on 30-06-2016 in the wake of revision of Basic Pay Scales of Government employees in Budget 2016-17. No time frame had been given to defreeze the allowances;

(b) Yes, the percentage based certain allowances are being paid at the level of 30-06-2011, in BPS-2008;

*Question No. 136 Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood: (Notice Received on 30-11-2017 At 09:45 A.M.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economics Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the amount being paid by the Government as interest or mark up on foreign loans on annual basis indicating also the names of organizations to which the same is being paid; and 38 (b) the steps being taken by the Government to get rid of the foreign loans?

Reply not received.

*Question No. 137 Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood: (Notice received on 04-12-2017 at 09:20 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the target fixed for revenue collection and the actual revenue collected during the fiscal year 2016-17; and

(b) whether it is a fact that the target for revenue collection could not be met during the said fiscal year, if so, the reasons thereof?

Reply not received.

*Question No. 138 Senator Rahila Magsi: (Notice received on 04-12-2017 at 09:50 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms be pleased to state the number of Chinese and Pakistani workers presently working in various projects under the CPEC with area or province wise break up?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: Presently, 24,000 Pakistanis are working in the projects being implemented under China Pakistan Economic Corridor while some 5,000 Chinese are employed on CPEC projects. The numbers keep fluctuating on the basis of progress of projects.

ISLAMABAD : AMJED PERVEZ, The 19th December, 2017. Secretary.

PCPPI—4766(17) Senate (Us)—19-12-2017—275. Shoaib—4766 (17) Senate (US) PC-9 1 (271st Session)

SENATE SECRETARIAT ————— “UN-STARRED QUESTIONS AND THEIR RELIES” For Wednesday, the 20th December, 2017 Question No. 1 Senator Samina Saeed: (Notice received on 28-11-2017 at 10:50 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs be pleased to state: (a) the number of Government Employees at present; (b) the number of the said employees being paid house rent allowance as part of their salaries at present; and (c) the estimated financial impact in case the said employees are paid rental ceiling with their salaries instead of house rent allowance? Reply not received. Question No. 2 Senator Samina Saeed: (Notice received on 28-11-2017 at 10:50 a.m.) Will the Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economics Affairs be pleased to state the steps being taken by the Government to introduce interest free economic system in the country? Reply not received.

ISLAMABAD : AMJED PERVEZ, The 19th December, 2017. Secretary.

PCPPI—4766 (17) Senate —19-12-2017—275.