Foreign remittances witness an increase of $3.2b this year, NA told July 15, 2020

Foreign remittances witness an increase of $3.2b this year, NA told July 15, 2020

ISLAMABAD-The National Assembly was informed today that foreign remittances witnessed an increase of 3.2 billion dollars this year as a result of prudent economic policies of the government.

Responding to various points raised by the opposition benches, Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed said Pakistan Stock Exchange has emerged as the third fastest growing market of the world.

He said trade deficit decreased, while Information Technology exports surged by 26 per cent.

He said the international ranking of Pakistani passport improved by six points.

The Minister said it is the PTI government, which started work on Diamer-Bhasha dam and initiated reforms in state institutions. 

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that the government is focusing on promoting tourism industry in the country.

He said the meeting of the National Tourism Coordination Board, scheduled on 22nd of this month, will find ways and means to help the people relating to the tourism sector as their businesses have been adversely affected due to COVID-19.

The Minister of State also informed the House that the government is going to offer a golden handshake to the employees of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.

He said over one billion rupees will be given to employees of the PTDC under this scheme.

He said PTDC hotels and motels will be transferred to respective provincial governments as tourism is a devolved subject after the 18th Amendment.

Responding to another question, Parliamentary Sectary for Water Resources Saleh Muhammad said that sufficient quantity of water is being provided to Balochistan.

He said yesterday 10,500 cusecs of water was provided to Balochistan, whereas it consumed only 9,500 cusecs.  

Three bills were introduced in National Assembly today. These bills include:[The Right to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2020], [ The Islamabad Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2020], and The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020].

The chair referred the bills to the concerned standing committees of the House.

The House also referred “The Pakistan Medical Commission Bill 2019” as passed by the National Assembly and not passed by the Senate within its laying in the Upper House, to the joint sitting of the parliament for consideration and passage.

The House will now meet on Thursday at 11 a.m.