1 (27th 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 Wednesday, the 9th December, 2015 33. *Dr. Nafisa Shah: (Deferred during 26th Session) Will the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources be pleased to state the upfront tariff set for the Liquefied Natural Gas Power Plants alongwith the terms and conditions thereof? Transferred to Water and Power Division for answer on next Rota Day. 145. *Sahibzada Tariq Ullah: (Deferred during 26th Session) Will the Minister for Communications be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from Khunjrab to Gawadar via Hassanabdal has been approved; (b) whether it is also a fact that N-45 leads from Rashkai (Mardan) to Chitral and from Chitral to Khunjrab via Shundoor-Gilgit and it is shorter and safer interms of distance, defence and land sliding; (c) if the answer to part (b) above is in the affirmative, whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to make said route an alternate route of CPEC; if so, the details; if not, the reasons therefor? 2 Minister for Communications: (a) Yes, it is a fact that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) (western route) passes through Hassanabdal. This route starts from Gwadar, then passes through Basima-Surab-Quetta-Kuchlak- Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan-Islamabad-Hassanabdal-Raikot and finally terminates at Khunjerab. (b) National Highway N-45 (309 Km) starts from Nowshera, passes through Dir and terminates at Chitral onwards to Khunjerab is not federalized and hence not a part of N-45. (c) As replied above, the road link from Chitral onwards to Khunjerab is not federalized and hence not a part of N-45. 21. *Ms. Sajida Begum: Will the Minister for Communications be pleased to state: (a) whether any verification is carried out for the material used in the construction of the National Highways in the country since 1-6-2013; if so, the name of department which carried out the said verification; and (b) the steps taken by the National Highways Authority for the protection of said Highways during the said period? Minister for Communications: (a) NHA being an authority follows an in-place code of practice during construction of new highways and maintenance of existing roads. NHA has devised the General Specifications to ensure material specifications are met promptly. During construction the quality of construction is also ensured through supervision consultants whose primary responsibility is to guide the contractor on proper construction methodology and carry out checks and balances for quality control issues. During project implementation, along with the supervision consultants, the quality of material is also verified through Inspection and Monitoring (M&I) wing of NHA with a mandate to carry out random checks on the quality of material used in road construction. The material quality checks are documented in a prescribed format. Payments are verified subject to specifications compliance. 3 NHA being the owner of its highways and motorways bears responsibility for the success of the project and follows a well-defined procedure in Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) procedures in-place for any project under its jurisdiction. NHA well comes any verification measures that are focused towards improvement of the project. (b) NHA has taken many initiatives for protection of its highways and motorways. Excessive Axle loading is costing us dearly in maintenance costs. Weigh stations across the country on national highways and motorways have been established which are operational. Fines are being imposed on excessive tonnage with respect to the allowable axle load. On motorways heavy axles are being discouraged and similar policy is being followed on our national highways. Besides, MOC is coordinating with the truck manufacturing industry to encourage multi- axle and turbo engines trucks to reduce damage of roads. The participation of private sector in the maintenance and construction of highways and motorways is being encouraged through Public Private Partnership (PPP). NHA believes that adequate investment in the road sector demands sustainability which may not be possible without the private investment. This would encourage introduction of new technologies on national road network for sustainable and safe highways and motorways. NHA has also focusing on Research and Training activities with a view to construct and maintain durable and safe roads. To this end NHA in coloration with JICA has established Highway Research and Training Centre (HRTC). Efforts are well underway and the facility would not only help the country to devise its indigenous specification but has also undertaken training of the human resource for highway construction, road safety, environment and other sectors related to highway engineering. Maintenance Various types of maintenance activities (like routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, special maintenance, preventive maintenance and that related to highway safety, etc) are carried out to protect NHA road network from any kind of serious damage and to keep the condition of roads well better than the minimum functional and structural requirements. Condition of the road network is regularly monitored through various types of surveys that include pavement condition survey, roughness survey, pavement structural strength evaluation survey etc. Data collected through these surveys is analyzed using relevant softwares to detect the type and extent of distresses and damages undergone by the pavement and to select the 4 optimum maintenance requirement/category to relive the pavement off such distresses. Each year, all the processes involved in data collection and analysis culminates in formulation and preparation of an Annual Maintenance Plan which is somewhat like a compendium of information on condition of NHA road network and maintenance categories opted that year for candidate sections. An amount of Rs. 17,930 million and Rs. 23,360 million were allocated under Annual Maintenance Plans for F.Y. 2013-14 and F.Y. 2014-15 for maintenance of road network. Besides, regional offices/ maintenance units remain watchful and pay regular visits to observe and monitor the condition of roads within their jurisdiction and to timely suggest and initiate corrective measures/maintenance interventions, if required. 22. *Ms. Sajida Begum: Will the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources be pleased to state: (a) the total number of cases registered in the Ministry for the adulteration in the petroleum products since 1-1-2010; and (b) whether filling stations are involved in the said adulteration; if so, the action taken against the responsibles thereof? Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources (Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi): (a) 02 cases for adulteration in petroleum product (at filling stations) were registered in OGRA since 2010 [on Aug 27 &Sep 30, 2015]. One case/ complaint was against the petrol pump of M/s Hascol Petroleum Limited (HPL) situated at Bhera Service Area M-2, whereas, 2nd case/ complaint was against the petrol pump (Unique Enterprises F/S at 6th road, Rawalpindi) of M/s Total Parco Pakistan Limited. (b) In order to verify the reported adulteration in the above cases, samples were collected/tested through Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP). According to their reports, adulteration in 1st case was not proved against the filling station(s) of M/s Hascol Pakistan Limited (HPL); whereas in 2nd case, adulteration has been proved against a Filling Station of M/s Total Parco Pakistan Limited (TPPL). OGRA has imposed penalty of Rs. 100,000/- on the said company but the amount is yet to be realized. OGRA therefore, has issued Show Cause Notice to the concerned Oil Marketing Company and case is in process for further action i.e. imposition of penalty. 5 23. *Dr. Nafisa Shah: Will the Minister for Defence be pleased to state: (a) the budget allocated for military pensioners during the year 2015-16 alongwith the head under which said budget is charged; and (b) whether said budget is always charged under the said head? Minister for Defence: (a) The budget allocated for military pensioners during the year 2015-16 is Rs.174,270.938 million including US $ 0.101 million under Demand No.034 “Superannuation Allowances and Pension”. (Pension – Defence 011213 ID6425) is attached. (b) The said budget is always charged under the said head. As per existing :arrangements the budget estimates of superannuation allowance and pension of Defence personnel’s are prepared by MAG and submitted to Finance Division Military for onward transmission to Finance Division for approval After approval of Finance Division, MoD issue Govt. letter for allocation. (Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library) 24. *Dr. Nafisa Shah: Will the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources be pleased to state the present status of implementation of Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project alongwith the obligations on the part of Pakistan? Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources (Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi): Pakistan and Iran are engaged in preparing the workable implementation schedule for the Project as both sides have not been able to complete their respective segments of the gas pipeline. Pakistan has proposed to construct and complete the Project within 36 months after easement of sanctions on Iran. A draft amendment has also been shared with Iran in this regard.