The National Assembly resumed its session at the Parliament House in Islamabad today with Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the chair.
The House passed another thirty-five demands of grants relating to different ministries, divisions and departments for the next fiscal year.
These demands were related to Intelligence Bureau, SUPARCO, Development of Atomic Energy and Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Petroleum Division, Power Division, Communication Division, Foreign Affairs Division, Cabinet Division, Prime Minister’s Office, National Disaster Management Authority, Board of Investment, Special Technology Zone Authority, Establishment Division, Federal Public Service Commission and Council of Common Interest.
The National Assembly rejected all the 197 cut motions moved by the Opposition members on different demands for grants.
Winding up discussion on the Communication Division, Minister of Communication Asad Mahmood assured the House that all link roads of Lowari Tunnel will be completed during the tenure of the incumbent government. He said dualization of various roads, which were meant to be constructed by the provinces, are included in the Federal PSDP.
Winding up discussion regarding Foreign Affairs Division, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said the government is pursuing a foreign policy aimed at protecting the interests of the people of Pakistan. She said consular access as well as other necessary assistance are regularly extended to Dr Afiya Siddiqui detained in the United States.
Regarding the Kashmir issue, Hina Rabbani Khar said we have been waging diplomatic jihad on this front. She said Pakistan consistently raises the issue of Kashmir and the plight of Muslims in India at the international forums. She said India of today has become a rogue state as it is deviating the principles of Nehru and Gandhi.
The House also approved thirteen demands of grants relating to Pakistan Railways, Narcotics Division, Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Interior Division.
It also rejected the one hundred and two cut motions moved by the Opposition members.
Responding to the cut motions, on the Narcotics Control Division, Minister for Narcotics Control Shahzai Bugti said his ministry annually seizes narcotics worth eight billion dollars, despite meager resources and small man power. He said efforts are also being made to control use of synthetic drugs on campuses of the educational institutions. He said it has been suggested that a fine of two million rupees will be imposed on use of synthetic drugs on campus while anyone involved in selling these drugs in educational institutions will be fined up to four million rupees.
The House will now meet again at 11 a.m on Wednesday.
Source: Radio Pakistan