NA passes resolution on declaring drought stricken districts of Balochistan as calamity affected
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The National Assembly was informed today the government has decided to forcefully raise Kashmir dispute as a humanitarian issue at the international level in order to unmask the Indian abuses in the occupied territory.
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andleeb Abbass told the house during question hour that Kashmir solidarity day on 5th February will be observed this year not only in Pakistan but also abroad including London.
She said we have also invited the OIC to organize a conference on Kashmir in Islamabad or at any other place to highlight the plight of oppressed Kashmiri people.
She said international activists including a delegation of British MPs have compiled their stories and reports on gross human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.
The parliamentary secretary said 2018 was one of the deadliest years in occupied Kashmir in which Indian occupation forces killed more than 350 innocent Kashmiris and blinded and maimed many more including women and children.
The parliamentary secretary also condemned Indian provocations on the Line of Control.
She said we have repeatedly invited the UN inspectors to visit the line of control and see for themselves as to which country is violating the ceasefire.
She said Indian propaganda of carrying out surgical strikes inside Pakistan was also negated by its own media as a mere drama.
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andleeb Abbas said the present government has reset and reinvigorated relations with Saudi Arabia and UAE over the last five months.
She said the agreements signed with both the countries are quite open.
She said Saudi Arabia and UAE have provided balance of payment support package of three billion dollars each on concessionary rates.
The Parliamentary Secretary said Saudi Arab has evinced interest to establish an oil refinery in Gwadar. She said this ten billion dollars investment will create job opportunities for our youth and help in the development of Gwadar.
Andleeb Abbass said UAE is also interested to invest in different sectors of the country. She said we have also signed several agreements with China in diverse fields including science and technology which will help further strengthen relations with China.
Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Shandana Gulzar Khan told the house that a new strategic trade policy framework is being evolved with focus on reducing cost of production and encouraging investment into export oriented sector.
She said a national tariff policy is also being finalized with the aim to encourage value added exports of the country.
Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Fehmida Mirza said sports will be promoted in the erstwhile tribal areas with the cooperation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. She said the tribal people have great talent in different sports and this needs to be exploited by building sports infrastructure.
Parliamentary Secretary for Textile Aliya Hamza Malik told the House that government is giving priority to bring value addition in the textile sector.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the National Assembly today that the Pakistani missions abroad were providing legal assistance and maintaining constant
Liaison to ensure wellbeing of prisoners detained in Central Asian states.
In a written reply, the ministry told the house that the Pakistani prisoners were detained in jails of Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
The Pakistani mission was maintaining constant liaison to ensure their wellbeing.
A Memorandum of Understanding for exchange of prisoners was under process.
The embassy is providing consular access on regular basis to the prisoners.
The House today passed a resolution demanding that all the drought stricken districts of Balochistan be declared as calamity affected.
The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan.
The resolution noted that the people of eighteen districts in Balochistan are facing great difficulty due to drought. Some people have also lost their lives as a result of situation prevailing in these districts.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said a national consultative workshop is being organized for the assistance of drought hit areas of Balochistan and Sindh. He said international donors will also be invited to attend the workshop.
He said the National Disaster Management Authority and provincial and district authorities are working to provide relief to the calamity hit people.
Responding to a calling attention notice regarding the grievances of farmers for not timely exporting vegetables and fruits, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Shandana Gulzar Khan said the federal government is holding negotiations with Punjab government to provide relief to the potato farmers.
She said there has been a surplus production of potato this year and steps will be taken to protect the interest of the farmers.
The Parliamentary Secretary told the House that fruits’ exports rose by 22.8 and vegetables by 47.9 percent last year.
The National Assembly today adopted a motion authorizing the Speaker to constitute a committee of parliamentary leaders to regulate the conduct of members.
The motion to this effect was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan.
Taking the floor, Opposition Leader Mian Shahbaz Sharif said the contract awarded for the construction of Mohmand Dam is contrary to the spirit of PPRA Rules.
He asked the speaker to constitute a committee to examine the entire matter and the report should be submitted in the house within a week.
Later the house was adjourned to meet again on Monday at five pm.
