“QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES ...

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(266th Session)

SENATE SECRETARIAT

—————

“QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES”

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

Thursday, the 24th August, 2017

DEFERRED QUESTIONS

(i) [Questions Nos. 7, 23, and 90 deferred on 11th April, 2017(261st Session]

(ii) [Questions Nos. 153,202, 204, 215, 133, 156, 6, 12, 16, 17, 32, 37, and 39 deferred on 19th April, 2017 (261st Session)]

(Def.) *Question No. 7 Senator Nisar Muhammad: (Notice received on 26-01-2017 at 10:00 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state the details ofcompensation granted to the heirs of students and employees martyredduring terrorist attack in Army Public School Peshawar?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: As per Special Compensation Package, approved forshaheed students and employees of Army Public School, Rs. 2.0 Million was paidto each bereaved family by Government of KPK ( Annex-A).

Similarly Rs. 191.000 Million has been disbursed among 86 legal heirsof 22 Shaheed teaching and administrative staff by Ministry of Defence(Annex-B).

Shoaib.M 0000(17) Senate. 266th Session

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Annex-A

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Ann

ex-B

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(Def.) *Question No. 23 Senator Farhatullah Babar : (Notice received on 22-02-2017 at 09:00 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state:

(a) the name of authority or agency responsible under the NationalAction Plan to watch the banned organizations in the countryincluding those resurrected under different names;

(b) the role of the Ministry of Interior in keeping an eye on theactivities of the said organizations; and

(c) whether it is fact that recently a UN move to impose sanctionson the chief of a banned organization was thwarted, if so, therole played by the said Ministry in this regard?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) It is the responsibility and authority of theprovincial governments to take action in each case under the law. Intelligenceagencies are mandated to keep regular watch on the activities of proscribedorganizations.

(b) Ministry of Interior regularly receive reports of IntelligenceAgencies on the activities of prescribed organizations and share the same withNACTA and the Provincial Governments.

(c) It is requested that the Honorable Senator should be specific in hisquestion in order that the same be replied in clear and categorical terms.

(Def.) *Question No. 90 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 01-03-2017 at 12:20 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Defence be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the employees and pensioners of theHeavy Mechanical Complex, Taxila are not being paid theirsalaries and pensions, if so, the reasons thereof indicating alsothe number of affected employees & pensioners and the timesince which they have not been paid their salaries and pensions;and

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(b) the steps being taken by the Government to pay salaries andpensions to the said employees?

Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan: (a) “Salaries and pensions areregularly being paid to employees of Heavy Mechanical Complex;

(b) Strategic Plans Division has been directed by Ministry of Defence toclear the outstanding dues on account of gratuity to the 149 pensioners of HMCamounting to Rs.187.145 million; and

(c) In the next couple of years, it is hoped that HMC will generateprofits. It is, therefore, planned that 50% of outstanding dues to retired employeeswill be paid out of the profit earned during 2017-18, whereas, remaining will bepaid by the end of FY 2018-19”.

(Def.) *Question No. 153 Senator Ahmed Hassan : (Notice received on 17-02-2017 at 09:45 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state whether it is a factthat the Simli Dam road, Bara Kahu, Islamabad is in dilapidatedcondition, if so, the time by which the same will be repaired orreconstructed?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: It is a fact that Simli Dam road is in dilapidatedcondition due to existence of various private housing societies and movement ofheavy vehicular traffic. The repair work is in progress 80% repair work hasbeen completed while the remaining repair / maintenance work of the said roadwill be completed upto 31-07-2017.

(Def.) *Question No. 202 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 18-08-2016 at 01:05 p.m.)


(a) the number of persons posted / deputed for the cleanliness andmaintenance of Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9, Islamabad with shiftwise break up;

(b) whether it is a fact that work of cleanliness and maintenance inthe said park is not up to the standard, if so, the action taken

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against those found responsible for the same during the last oneyear; and

(c) the steps taken / being taken by the government to improve thecondition of that park?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) Thirty (30) Sanitary Workers are working in twoshifts of 15 each and 90 Gardeners are deputed for maintenance of Fatimah JinnahPark, F-9 Islamabad.

(b) No, the work of cleanliness and maintenance of the developedportion of Fatimah Jinnah Park F-9 is upto the required standard.

(c) Apart from regular maintenance on daily basis, a photovoltaic SolarElectric Project is constructed to light developed section of the park. The projectis in test phase. Now improvements have also been made in different areas likeplantation of seasonal flowers, maintenance of jogging tracks, grassy lawns andconstruction of cycling tracks etc.

(Def.) *Question No. 204 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 23-08-2016 at 12:10 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state the steps taken beingtaken by the Government to stop dumping of Garbage in the openareas of ICT?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: No garbage is dumped in open areas in Islamabad.

(Def.) *Question No. 215 Senator Rozi Khan Kakar: (Notice received on 24-01-2017 at 11:00 a.m.)

Will the Minister Interior be pleased to state the steps being taken bythe Government to control the pollen allergy in Islamabad?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: MCI has taken the following steps:—

i. Paper mulberry trees are being removed from the residential sectorsin a gradual manner.

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ii. The complaints regarding removal of Paper Mulberry trees areattended swiftly. Paper mulberry trees coming in the alignment ofdifferent works are also being removed.

iii. ICT Administration and Capital Hospital, CDA organize MedicalCamps at various places during the pollen allergy season forfree-check up and free-medicine. Information regarding precautionarymeasures to be adopted by allergy patients is also provided atHospital / Medical Camps.

(Def.) *Question No. 133 Senator Samina Abid: (Notice received on 30-03-2017 at 01:35 p.m.)


(a) whether it is a fact that there is shortage of supply of potablewater in Islamabad, if so, the reasons thereof; and

(b) the steps being taken by the Government to resolve the saidissue?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) Yes, there is a shortage of potable water in theIslamabad Capital Territory due to the following reasons:

a. Ever increasing population.

b. Development of new sectors.

c. Less rainfall.

d. Depletion of water reservoirs.

e. Non-development of new resources.

(b) In order to prolong the usage of available water, drawl of water hasbeen reduced. The defective tube wells, leaking lines, connections, tankers etc arebeing repaired on war footing to tackle the situation. CDA is working on asustainable source of water by bringing water from Indus River at Tarbella indifferent phases to address the issue. First Phase of the project is likely to becompleted in four years and shall bring 200 MGD from Indus River.

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(Def.) *Question No. 156 Senator Farhatullah Babar: (Notice received on 21-02-2017 at 09:00 a.m.)


(a) the details of pension and other benefits admissible to the officersof the rank of Major General and above of the Pakistan Army,Navy and Air Force on their retirement;

(b) the details of law or rules or executive order under which thesaid pension and benefits are allowed to those officers; and

(c) whether any officers(s) in the said ranks of those forces has orhave availed the said benefits over and above those allowed bythe law or rule during the last ten years, if so, the details andreasons thereof?

Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan: (a) Answer to the major part of thequestion regarding pension has already been submitted before the house on11-04-2017.

Information regarding “Other Benefits” admissible to Officers in therank of Major General / equivalent is still awaited from the quarters concernedMinistry is making utmost efforts to get the said information. As soon as itreceived the same shall be placed before the House.

(Def.) *Question No. 6 Senator Najma Hameed: (Notice received on 25-01-2017 at 03:30 p.m.)


(a) whether it is a fact that completion of the scheme for constructionof Service Road, North I-10/2, Islamabad has been delayed, ifso, the reasons thereof;

(b) whether it is a fact that substandard construction has beencarried out on the section of the said road from I-9 to Chambeliroad, if so, the reasons thereof; and

(c) whether any quality check or examination of the constructionmaterial used in the said section of that road has been carriedout, if so, the results thereof?

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Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) No.

(b) No.

(c) Yes. Quality Control Tests have been conducted by Material QualityControl (MQC) Civil Engineering Laboratory, CDA during the execution stage.

(Def.) *Question No. 12 Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood: (Notice received on 31-01-2017 at 09:30 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Railways be pleased to state the details of ongoingprojects and development schemes which are being undertaken byPakistan Railways out of its own resources?

Khawaja Saad Rafique: The major development projects of Pakistan Railways are executed

through Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), funded bythe Federal Government.

However, Pakistan Railway undertakes small development/improvement schemes under the head “Improvement and WelfareExpenditure”. Funds to the tune of Rs. 474 million were allocatedduring the financial year 2016-17 under this head. The detail ofprojects / schemes, being executed through these funds, is attachedas Annexure-A.

It is also worth pointing out that Pakistan Railways has undertakenup-gradation of old rakes during last three years out of Revenuebudget at a cost of Rs. 500 million.

The year-wise allocation is as under:—

Total Allocation durihg (2010-2013) = 368.38 million Total Allocation during (2013-2017) = 1374 million

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Will the Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Histort andLiterary Heritage be pleased to state:

(a) the amount allocated for developmental and non-developmentalexpenditures of the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting,National History and Literary Heritage, its attacheddepartments, sub-ordinate offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous organization and corporations during the fiscal year2015-16;

(b) the details of projects on which the said developmentalexpenditures were made; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Government to reduce the non-developmental expenditures of the said Ministry, its attacheddepartments, sub-ordinate offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous organization and corporations?

Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb: (a) Development and current budget ofInformation and Broadcasting Division, its attached departments, subordinateoffices, autonomous and semi autonomous organization and corporations forfinancial year 2015-16 is attached at Annex-A.

(b) Detail of projects is attached at Annex-B.

The Federal Government, the Finance Division, issued following austeritymeasures to be observed by Ministries / Divisions / Attached Departments:

(i) Complete ban on purchase of all types of vehicles.

(ii) Ban on creation of new posts.(iii) Restriction on entitlement of periodical, magazines, newspapers of

officers.

(iv) Restriction on serving of official lunches / dinners.

(v) Rationalization of utility bills remaining within the allocated budget.

The Information and Broadcasting Division is fully implementing theseausterity measures introduced by the Federal Government.

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Ann

ex-A

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Annex-B

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Ann

ex-I

I

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Will the Minister for Railways be pleased to state:

(a) the amount allocated for developmental and non-developmentalexpenditures of the Ministry of Railways and Pakistan Railwaysduring the financial year 2015-16;

(b) the details of projects on which the said developmentalexpenditures were made; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Government to reduce the non-developmental expenditures of the said Ministry and PakistanRailways?

Khawaja Saad Rafique: (a) The amounts allocated for developmentand non-development expenditures to Ministry of Railways and Pakistan Railwaysduring the financial year 2015-16 were as under:—

(b) The detail of projects on which expenditure was made on account ofPSDP is annexed.

(c) The following steps have been taken to reduce the non-developmentexpenditure. This is why, no excess expenditure has been incurred over and abovethe sanctioned budget during the financial year 2015-16:

1. After allotment of funds to the spending units, the non-developmentexpenditure is being regulated by allowing cash releases. Thus, allnon-essential expenditures are being discouraged on case to casebasis.

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2. The procurement of vehicles from non-development budget has beenbanned except vehicles of Security Departments (Railway Police.

3. Creation of new posts has been banned except those required fordevelopment projects.

4. Complete rationalization of staff is in process and only essential(technical and operational) staff is being recruited against the vacantposts.

5. Overtime of labour in workshops and factories has been reduced.

6. Travelling and daily allowance to technical and operational staff isbeing allowed only where inescapable.

7. Non-productive procurements are being discouraged.

8. The system of distribution of gas and electricity of residential buildingsis being shifted to the distribution companies for direct billing.

9. All in-candescent lamps have been replaced with energy-savers. Theuse of solar is also being encouraged to reduce expenditure onelectricity.

10. Idle working of machinery in workshops has been discouraged.

11. The dispensers at filling-points in locomotive sheds are beingimproved to avoid spilling over/spoilage of operation fuel.

12. Special campaign is launched every year for saving of operation fuelby celebrating a month for “fuel economy”.

13. The running staff laid off from private trains has been shifted to railwaysown operating trains instead of making fresh recruitment.

14. The use of air conditioners in offices before 11.00 am has beenstopped to reduce the electric billing.

15. Entitlement of periodical, magazines etc. of all officers have beenrestricted to only one daily newspapers.

16. Subsidy by Federal Government has been capped at Rs.37.00 billionfor the last three years.

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Annexure

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(Def.) *Question No. 32 Senator Sirajul Haq: (Notice received on 01-03-2017 at 03:30 p.m.)


(a) the amount of financial assistance received by the Governmentfrom foreign countries for controlling terrorism in the countrysince 2013 indicating also the names of the countries whichprovided the same; and

(b) the expenditure incurred by the Government on controllingterrorism in the country during the said period?

Reply not received.

The Ministry of Interior has transferred this question to the Ministry ofFinance, Revenue and Economic Affairs but the Ministry of Finance, Revenue andEconomic Affairs has not accepted it so far.

(Def.) *Question No. 37 Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh: (Notice received on 08-03-2017 at 03:20 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Narcotics Control be pleased to state:

(a) the estimated number of drug addicts including those usinghashish in the country at present with average age count andprovince wise break up; and

(b) the number of the said addicts registered in the country duringthe last three years with year wise break up?

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Salahuddin Tirmizi: (a) The estimated number of drugaddicts including those using hashish in the country at present with average agecount and province wise break up is attached as Annex-A.

(b) According to Section 52 (1) of CNSA 1997, “Each ProvincialGovernment shall register all addicts within their respective jurisdictionfor the purpose of treatment and rehabilitation of addicts”.

The Provinces have been asked to provide the aforesaid information. Assoon as it is received, the same shall be submitted to the Senate.

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(Def.) *Question No. 39 Senator Rozi Khan Kakar: (Notice received on 15-03-2017 at 04:15 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state the criteria andprocedure laid down for selection or appointment of ChairmanNADRA?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) The selection of Chairman NADRA is carried outin accordance with the section 3, sub section (3) of NADRA Ordinance 2000.

a. 3 (3) “The Authority shall consist of a Chairman, also to be calledthe Registrar General of Pakistan, and [not less than] five membersto be appointed by the Federal Government.....”

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7. “The Chairman shall be an eminent professional of known integrityand competence with substantial experience in the field of computerscience, engineering, statistics, demography, law, business,management, finance, accounting, economics, civil or militaryadministration, or the field of registration”.

The Federal Government appoints Chairman NADRA according to thecriteria laid down as above.

*Question No. 70 Senator Col. (R) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi: (Notice received on 09-06-2017 at 12:45 p.m.)


(a) whether it is a fact that the bridge leading to the Quaid-e-AzamUniversity from Bari Imam, Islamabad, is in a dilapidatedcondition at present; and

(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to re-construct the said bridge, if so, when?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) Yes, due to increased volume of heavy traffic duringthe last two decades, the said bridge / culvert was not in good condition, however,CDA has recently repaired the damaged bridge and side railing.

(b) No.

*Question No. 71 Senator Col. (R) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi: (Notice received on 09-06-2017 at 12:45 p.m.)


(a) the steps being taken by the Government to provide potablewater at public places including parks and bus stops inIslamabad; and

(b) the funds allocated for the said purpose in the budget 2017-18?

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Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) The following steps have been taken to provideportable water at public places:

(i) The MCI has installed thirty-seven (37) Filtration Plants in all Sectorsat various locations:

(ii) The portable water is also available in all parks except smallparks. However, no water connection is available at Bus Stops inIslamabad.

(b) Rs. 20.830 Million were allocated for the operation andmaintenance of the Filtration Plants in FY 2016-17.

*Question No. 72 Senator Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasir : (Notice received on 12-06-2017 at 02:35 p.m.)


(a) the number of passport offices in the country with province wiseand district wise breakup;

(b) the number of persons working in the said offices with provincewise breakup; and

(c) the number of posts lying vacant in those offices with provincewise breakup?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) The detail of number of passport offices in thecountry with province wise and district-wise breakup and number of personsworking in said offices is given at Annex-“A”.

(b) As Above.

(c) Presently, 103 regular posts meant for direct quota are lying vacantin IMPASS. Detail is given at Annex-B.

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Annex-B

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*Question No. 73 Senator Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasir: (Notice received on 12-06-2017 at 02:35 p.m.)


(a) the number of NADRA registration centers established in thecountry with province wise and district wise break up; and

(b) the number of persons presently working in the said centers andthe number of posts lying vacant therein with province wise breakup?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) A total of 539 x NADRA Registration Centres areestablished throughout the country. Province wise and District wise list is attachedas Annex-A.

(b) A total of 7642 employees are serving in NADRA centres. Thehiring is carried out on need basis. Hence, concept of posts lying vacant does notexist.

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*Question No. 74 Senator Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasir: (Notice received on 12-06-2017 at 02:35 )

Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:

(a) the number of girls schools in FATA with Agency wise and level-wise break up; and

(b) the number of the said schools destroyed or damaged duringthe war against terror in FATA and the number of the samereconstructed or repaired so far?

Lt. General Abdul Qadir Baloch: (a) There are a total of 2248 GirlsSchools in FATA and 2 co-education schools which are also admit girls on meritbasis. Details at Annex-I.

(b) A total of 1195 schools were affected by war on terror in FATA.Out of these 555 were fully destroyed and 491 were partially affected. So far 895such schools have been repaired/reconstructed so from various sources. Details isat Annex-II.

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*Question No. 75 Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja: (Notice received on 13-06-2017 at 09:10 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Defence be pleased to state the salaries,allowances and other fringe benefits admissible to serving four starGeneral, Lieutenant General and Major Generals in Pakistan Army?

Reply not received.

*Question No. 76 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 13-06-2017 at 09:20 )


(a) the location and present status of the OGDCL EmployeesCooporative Housing Society;

(b) the number of members of the said society;

(c) the number of plots in that society and details of prices thereof;and

(d) whether it is a fact that development work of that society hasbeen delayed and possession of plots has not been handed overto a large number of its members inspite of making payment forthe same, if so, the details thereof?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) The OGDC Employees Cooperative HousingSociety, Islamabad has been launched in village Karlot near Chattar Park, TehsilMurree, Distt Rawalpindi and the development work of the scheme is in progress.

(b) 2021.

(c) Total number of plots is 2418. The detail of prices is as under:

Plot size 30x60 = Rs.600000/-.

Plot size 40x80 = Rs.10,70,000/-.

Plot size 50x90 = Rs.1500000/-.

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(d) Yes, the basic reason for delay of development work and possessionof plots to members is that a large number of its members i.e. 1440 out of 2021have not made the required payment to the Society.

*Question No. 77 Senator Syed Shibli Faraz: (Notice received on 13-06-2017 at 12:55 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History andLiterary Heritage be pleased to state:

(a) the amount collected as TV license fee during the last five yearswith year-wise breakup; and

(b) the amount earned by PTV through production, commercialsand other activities during the said period with year-wisebreakup?

Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb: (a) The amount collected as TV licenceFee during last five years with year wise break up is as follows:—

(Rs : in Million)——————————————————————————————

Year Amount——————————————————————————————

2013 5,526

2014 4,940

2015 5,277

2016 5,544

2017 (Prov) 6,441——————————————————————————————

(b) The amount earned by PTV through production, commercials andother activities during the said period with year wise break up is as follows:—

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Rs : in Million——————————————————————————————

Year Amount Amountearned earnedthrough through

commercials othersources

——————————————————————————————2013 3,467 5062014 3,502 3892015 3,601 7622016 3,450 7112017 (P) 2,626 460

——————————————————————————————*Question No. 78 Senator Farhatullah Babar: (Notice received on 14-06-2017 at 09:30 a.m.)


(a) whether it is a fact that a Pakistani CNIC and Passport wasrecovered from the Taliban leader Mullah Mansoor Akhtar whowas killed in a drone attack in Balochistan last year; and

(b) whether any inquiry was conducted to know that how the saidpersons got those Pakistani documents, if so, the findings thereofand the action taken by the Government in the light of thosefindings?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) It was reported in Media that Mullah Mansoorholding Pakistani Passport end CNIC has been killed in drone attack. NADRAwas provided CNIC number by law Enforcement Agency to verify the data againstthis number. Data revealed that this card has been issued to Mr. Muhammad Walis/o Shah Muhammad.

(b) NADRA has conducted departmental inquqiry to unearth involvementof its officials in issuance of fake CNIC to Mullah Mansoor Akhtar with the nameof Muhammad Wali s/o Shah Muhammad. As per the recommendations of inquiryERP # 9690, Mr. Faisal-uddin, Deputy Assistant Director of RHO Karachi hasbeen imposed major penalty of Removal from Service.

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FIA also registered case under Section 3,13/14 Foreigner Act 1946, 419,420, 468, 109 PPE, 6(1) Passport Act 1974 r/w 5(2) PCA 1947, which is pendingtrial in the Court. Detail is placed at Annexure-A.

Annexure-AOne Page Brief

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*Question No. 79 Senator Farhatullah Babar: (Notice received on 14-06-2017 at 09:30 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Government has constituted aCommittee for reforms in Gilgit Baltistan, if so, the date of itsConstitution, composition and terms of reference, if any, of thesame;

(b) the number of meetings of the said Committee held so far withdate wise break up indicating also the details of participants ofeach of those meetings; and

(c) the time or date by which the said Committee is supposed tosubmit its recommendations?

Mr. Muhammad Barjees Tahir: (a) During the visit of Prime Ministerto Gilgit-Baltistan on 14th April, 2015, he announced the constitution of aCommittee, for making recommendations on ;Constitutional and AdministrativeReforms in Gilgit-Baltistan. Subsequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairssubmitted a summary to the Prime Minister’s office suggesting the compositionof the Committee and terms of reference to carry out the task.

Composition:

1. Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on ConvenerForeign Affairs

2. Mr. Ashtar Ausaf Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime MemberMinister on Law, (Now Attorney General of Pakistan)

3. Kh. Zaheer Ahmed, Special Assistant to the Prime MemberMinister

4. Mr. Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Chief Minister, Member Gilgit-Baltistan

5. Mr. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Secretary, MemberM/o Foreign Affairs

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6. Mr. Abid Saeed, Secretary, M/o Kashmir Affairs and GB Member

7. Mr. Tahir Hussain, Chief Secretary, Gilgit-Baltistan Member

8. Major General, Sahir Shamshad Mirza, DGMO MemberRepresenting the Ministry of Defence

9. Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Director General (South Asia) Member

Terms of Reference:

(1) Review the current constitutional and administrative arrangements inGilgit-Baltistan and analyze any shortcomings or inadequacies inrelation to the aspirations of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

(2) After studying the historic record and relevant treaties, examineWhether the existing internal boundaries of the territories thatconstitute Gilgit-Baltistan overlap with the territories that formed partof the State of Jammu & Kashmir. And if so, make recommendationsfor corrective measures.

(3) Recommend Constitutional and Administrative Reforms forGilgitBaltistan, keeping in view, the implications of theserecommendations vis-a-vis the United Nations Resolutions onKashmir.

(b) The committee started its work on 12th November, 2015 under thechairmanship of Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs,and held six formal meetings and numerous informal sessions. Last meeting washeld on 6th March, 2017. The final report has been submitted to the Prime Ministeron 10th March, 2017.

(c) The final report has been submitted to the Prime Minister on10th March, 2017.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan on 03-07-2017 constituted another 10Members Committee to formulate proposal for the further empowerment of thepeople of Gilgit-Baltistan with the framework of the GB (Empowerment andSelf Governance) Order, 2009 under the convener-ship of Mr. Sartaj Aziz,Adviser to the Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Committee had to submit

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its report for consideration of the Prime Minister within ten days. Later on28- 07-2017 the Prime Minister of Pakistan extended the purview of theCommittee to include Azad Jammu & Kashmir, include the Prime Minister andChief Secretary of AJ&K as its Members and allow an additional ten days to theCommittee w.e.f 28-07-2017 to submit its report. The first meeting of theCommittee was held on 13-07-2017 and second was scheduled to be held on28-07-2017 while on the eve of the decision of the Supreme Court, the Cabinetwas dissolved.

Since the emergence of new set up along with the Cabinet/Adviser,Mr. Sartaj Aziz is not in place as Adviser to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs.The present status of the Committee is being obtained from Ministry of ForeignAffairs. It is pertinent to mention that the Government is fully aware and committedto further empower the people and Assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan in the wake ofpresent geopolitical situation.

*Question No. 80 Senator Syed Shibli Faraz: (Notice received on 14-06-2017 at 09:35 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Railways be pleased to state the amount spenton repairing renovation and reconstruction of railway stations in thecountry from July, 2013 to December, 2016, with province-wisebreakup?

Khawaja Saad Rafique: Pakistan Railway has incurred Rs. 554.214million on account of repair, renovation and reconstruction of stations in the countryfrom July, 2013 to December, 2016, with province-wise breakup as under:—

——————————————————————————————Punjab Rs. 330.270 million

Sindh Rs. 189.981 million

Khyber Rs. 23.608 millionPakhtwunkhwa

Balochistan Rs. 10.355 million——————————————————————————————

Details are at Annexure-A.

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In addition to above

Rehabilitation work of track, bridges and stations on Sibi —KhostSection is in progress which includes rehabilitation of 8 stations onthis section at the estimated cost of Rs. 200 million.

The up-gradation / renovation of Kohat Cantt railway station at anestimated cost of Rs. 51.679 million is in progress, out of whichwork of Rs. 10.980 million has been completed so far.

A PC-I for up-gradation / renovation of station buildings is underprocess which includes up-gradation of stations in Balochistan at anestimated cost of Rs. 243.49 million and up-gradation of stations inKhyber Pakhtunkhwa at an estimated cost of Rs. 442.71 million.

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*Question No. 81 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 14-06-2017 at 09:40 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History andLiterary Heritage be pleased to state whether the Pakistan TelevisionCorporation (PTV) is acting upon the Corporate CompaniesGovernance Rules, 2013, if so, the details thereof and if not, thereasons thereof?

Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb: PTV observes Public Sector Companies(Corporate Governance) Rules, 2013 except the rules governing reconstitution ofBoard of Directors and its dependent rules/clauses which involve jurisdiction ofGovt. of Pakistan, M/o Information Broadcasting & National Heritage, whichdetail is attached at Annex-A.

(Annexure has been placed on the Table of the House as well as Library.)

*Question No. 82 Senator Ahmed Hassan: (Notice received on 14-06-2017 at 09:50 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state whether it is a factthat registration of a number of Madrassas have been cancelled inthe country during the last three years, if so, the details and reasonsthereof?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: Yes it is fact that following provinces have cancelledregistration of Madrassas as under:

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*Question No. 83 Senator Ahmed Hassan: (Notice received on 14-06-2017 at 09:50 a.m.)


(a) the details of ongoing schemes under the Bajur AreaDevelopment Project; and

(b) the amount allocated, released and spent on the said projectduring the fiscal year 2016-17?

Reply not received.

*Question No. 84 Senator Farhatullah Babar : (Notice received on 15-06-2017 at 09:00 a.m.)


(a) whether it is a fact that Fortress Stadium, Lahore is under theadministrative control of 4 Corps, Lahore;

(b) the date on which the land of the said stadium was allotted tothe Army indicating also the purpose for which the same wasallotted;

(c) whether it is fact that the land allotted for that stadium is beingused for commercial purposes, if so, whether it conforms to theland usage policy of the same;

(d) the details of income generated from the said stadium duringthe last ten years and the details of its utilization; and

(e) whether any audit is conducted of the said income and itsutilization, if so, the name of authority which conducts the same?

Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan: (a) Fortress Stadium, Lahore isunder the administrative control of 4 Corps, Lahore.

(b) The land in question is A-1 land under the active use of Army atLahore, since independence.

(c) Fortress Stadium Lahore is built on A-1 Land, which is beingused for commercial purposes partially under the policy of use of A-I land(Annex-A).

(d&e) Concerned quarters have been approached for the reply..

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Annex-A

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Will the Minister for Defence be pleased to state the details ofpension and other benefits admissible to the officers of the rankof Captain, Major, Colonel and Brigadier of Pakistan Army on theirretirement?

Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan: The details of pension benefitsadmissible to Captain, Major, Colonel and Brigadier in Pakistan Army are asunder:

a. Pension Benefits——————————————————————————————

Rank Svc / Age Commutation Monthly(years) (Rs.) Pension (Rs.)

——————————————————————————————Brigadier 31 / 52 5,656,008 80,500Colonel 29 / 48 5,588,823 68,783Major 25 / 44 5,482,550 59,049Captain 23 / 42 5,075,629 51,372

——————————————————————————————b. Monetary Benefits:- Special Additional Pension in lieu of

Orderly Allowance @ Rs. 12,000/- per month is admissible toBrigadiers vide Finance Division (Regulation Wing) letter No. 1 (3)Imp/2015-630 dated 7th July 2015.

*Question No. 86 Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh: (Notice received on 15-06-2017 at 01:40 p.m.)


(a) the names of rural areas in Islamabad Capital Territory wherethe facility of gas supply has not been provided so far;

(b) whether it is a fact that the residents of the said areas meet theirenergy demands by cutting trees; and

(c) the number of new trees planted by the Government in thoseareas during the last five years with area wise break up?

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Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) Detail is placed at Annexure-A.

(b) The resident of rural areas meet their energy demand throughpurchase of firewood being sold at wood stalls.

(c) Land in Rural areas is private land and government does not plant inthose areas.

Annex-A

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*Question No. 87 Senator Sehar Kamran: (Notice received on 15-06-2017 at 02:30 p.m.)


(a) the names and locations of shrines under the administrativecontrol of the Federal Government;

(b) the amount of nazrana collected from those shrines during thelast three years and details of its utilization with year wise breakup;

(c) the amount spent on maintenance and other related matters ofthose shrines during the said period with year wise break up;and

(d) the names of the said shrines to which Government is providingfunds to run their affairs indicating also the amount provided toeach shrine during that period with year wise break up?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) At present four Shrines are under the administrativecontrol of the Auqaf Directorate, ICT Administraton, MOI. The names andlocations of these shrines are as under:

i. Darbar Hazrat Bari Imam (RA), Badshah, Islamabad.

ii. Darbar Hazrat Sakhi Mehmeod Badshah (RA), Aabpara, Islamabad.

iii. Darbar Hazrat Sakhi Dervesh Badshah, Miani Thub, Near Sihala,Islamabad.

iv. Chillah Gah Hazrat Barri Imam (RA) at Lohe Dundee (MargallaHills), Islamabad.

(b) The amount of nazrana collected from these shrines during the lastthree years wise break up are as under

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——————————————————————————————S.# Year Nazrana/ Utilization in Rs.

Income in Rs.——————————————————————————————

i. 2013-14 26,103,060 17,389,252

ii 2014-15 26,764,110 25,715,799

iii. 2015-16 39,312,575 19,614,406——————————————————————————————

Total Rs: 92,184,745 62,719,457/-——————————————————————————————

Detail of year wise break up of expenditure against each shrine on accountof salaries of staff, utility bills/ pay of security guards, religious functions, long termadvances of staff & misc. Expenditure is given under:———————————————————————————————

Name of Shrine Year Amount——————————————————————————————

Hazrat Barri Imam 2013-14 17,240,277

2014-15 25,575,466

2015-16 19,404,407——————————————————————————————

Total 62,220,150/-——————————————————————————————

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(c) The amount spent on maintenance, Sanitary Items, Electric Items,CCTV Cameras, Utility Bills and other related matters of these shrines during thesaid period with year wise break up is as under:—

Detail of amount spent on account of above mentioned heads, Shrine-wise, during the period under report, with year-wise break-up is as under:—

(d) There are no shrines in Islamabad to which Government is providingfunds to run their affairs.

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*Question No. 88 Senator Sehar Kamran: (Notice received on 15-06-2017 at 02:30 p.m.)


(a) the details of law or regulations which regulate the feed especiallythe ingredients of the feed given to chickens in poultry farms inIslamabad;

(b) whether the chicken of those poultry farms are fit for humanconsumption;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that substandardfeed is not given to the chickens in those poultry farms; and

(d) the details of action taken against those poultry farms whichviolated those regulation or law during the last three years?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) There is no law or regulations to regulate the feedgiven to the chicken in poultry farms in Islamabad. However, Livestock & DairyDevelopment Department, ICT is working on a draft bill to the effect.

(b) As per data available with Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi,there is no complaint against Poultry Farms operating in ICT and same are gettingfeed from Registered Feed Mills. Regular sampling and Inspection of RegisteredFeed Mills is being undertaken by District Livestock Officer under section 12 ofAct ibid.

(c) Since ICTA is working on a draft law, therefore, in the interveningperiod inspections of poultry farms in ICT are made to check / verify whether feedis being procured from registered feed mills or not.

(d) As above.

*Question No. 89 Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati: (Notice received on 19-06-2017 at 10:05 a.m.)


(a) the amount allocated and released for development projects ofthe Ministry of Defence in the budget for fiscal year 2016-17;and

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(b) whether any additional funds were also allocated and releasedfor the said projects during that fiscal year, if so, the detailsthereof?

Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan: (a) An amount of Rs.2526.658 Mwas allocated for 10 development projects of Ministry of Defence under PSDP2016-17 out of which an amount of Rs.309.997 Million was released for fouron-going projects and one new project.

(b) An amount of Rs.4.133 million was provided to one project throughre-appropriation within the approved grant as per following details:

(Rs. Million)——————————————————————————————Name of Project Original Additional Remarks

Allocation FundsAllocated

——————————————————————————————Development of - 4.133 Additional funds providedTraining Area & through re-appropriationBoundary Wall from the allocation of projectfor Survey of Pakistan “Construction of OfficeTraining Institute Complex of Survey ofH-8/2, Islamabad. Pakistan, Lahore”

——————————————————————————————



(a) whether it is a fact that the print and ink being used on the frontpage of official passports is substandard and get disappearedafter some time, if so, the reasons thereof and the action beingtaken by the Government in this regard; and

(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to increase the number of pages in officialpassports?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) The Official passport booklets are being printedby Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC) as per required InternationalStandards which contain specific security features. The front page of passportcontaining the data information of applicant is being printed by using German made.Passport printers with special security ink which is designed for passport printing.After printing, these passports are being laminated with Special Security Lamination

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imported from France After Personalization of the booklets Post Quality Control(QC) is being done which include Visual and Data QC through specializedequipment.

(b) Pakistani Official Machine Readable Passports are categorized asfollows with respect to the number of pages:—

i. MRP Official booklets (35 pages)

ii. MRP Official booklets (72 pages)

The Official passports containing 36 pages are issued to all entitled personswho fall under Para 9 of Passport & Visa Manual 2006. However, Official passportscontaining 72 pages are issued to those entitled persons who are frequent travelersand who justify their need of 72 pages booklets on receipt of their specialrecommendations. However, case has been taken up with PSPC for printing ofofficials booklets of 100 pages for issuance of passport to entitled category as pertravelling history of such entitled person.


Will the Minister for Information and Broadcasting be pleased to statethe amount allocated and released for ongoing and new developmentprojects of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting separatelyduring the fiscal year 2016-17 indicating also the details of the projectsand the present status of work on the same in each case?

Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb: * An amount of Rs.335.405 million wasallocated for total 23 PSDP projects of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting &National Heritage and its allied entities, of which Rs.229.807 million have beenreleased for these projects by Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform duringFinancial Year 2016-17. The detail of allocation and releases of ongoing and newdevelopment projects are as under:

(Rs. in million)——————————————————————————————

Total Nos. Allocation Releases

Ongoing 21 321.209 225.611projects

——————————————————————————————New 02 14.196 4.196projects

——————————————————————————————* Project-wise details are at Annex-I.

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Annex-I

85

*Question No. 92 Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini: (Notice received on 19-06-2017 at 10:15 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state the number ofPakistanis who deported from other counties during the last five yearindicating also the name of countries and the reasons for deportation,if any?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: Total 5,44,105 Pakistanis were deported from2012 to 2017 (upto 30 June) as per following details:—

——————————————————————————————Years Number of Pakistanis deported from abroad

——————————————————————————————2012 71723

2013 79539

2014 78409

2015 116185

2016 111084

2017 87165——————————————————————————————

Country wise break up of deportees is placed at Annex-A.

Reasons for deportation are stated at Annex-B. (This information is

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Reasons for Deportation

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maintained since 2014).*Question No. 93 Senator Sehar Kamran: (Notice received on 19-06-2017 at 12:40 p.m.)

Will the Minister for National History and Literary Heritage be pleasedto state:

(a) the steps taken by the present Government for the protectionand restoration of cultural heritage sites in the country; and

(b) the amount allocated for the said purpose during the tenure ofthe present Government and details of its utilization with yearwise and site wise breakup?

Minister for National History and Literary Heritage: (a) Sinceinception, the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM), Governmentof Pakistan has taken necessary steps for the protection and preservation ofArchaeological sites in the country and protected 405 historical sites and monumentsunder Antiquities Act, 1975. However, the Administrative control of all theprotected sites and monuments has been transferred to the concerned provincesunder Constitution (18th Amendment) Act, 2010 (Act No. X of 2010) w.e.f. 5thApril, 2011. The concerned departments of the Provinces have taken necessarysteps for protection of major archaeological sites in the country.

2. Presently DOAM, under its mandate is responsible for protection ofarchaeological sites / religious monuments within ICT region. Afterdevolution, DOAM has declared following four sites for protectionunder Antiquities Act, 1975:

(i). Paharwala Fort, Kahutha, Islamabad

(ii). Rawat Fort, Rawat Village , Islamabad.

(iii). Buddhist Stupas Ban Faqiran, Village Shah Allah Ditta,Islamabad.

(iv). Shah Allah Ditta Caves, Village Shah Allah Ditta, Islamabad.

3. Following steps have been taken for the proper protection andpreservation of above four sites.

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(i). Rawat and Paharwala Fort have been taken from theGovernment of the Punjab by DOAM for their protection andPreservation;

(ii). Indication and history boards have been displayed on the sites;

(iii). Necessary watch and ward staff have been deputed on thesites;

(iv). The Archaeological Excavation have been carried out and BanFaqiran Stupa and the remains have been exposed and openedfor the visitors;

(v). DOAM has started survey and Documentation to explore thearchaeological sites/ monuments, in the ICT Region.

4. Brochers/ informative material on archaeological and cultural heritagesites/monuments have been published to project the rich culturalheritage of Pakistan.

(b) An amount of Rs. 10.000 million has been allocated for “preservation,restoration and Presentation of Rawat Fort” during current financial year 2017-18.The PC-1 of the said project is being prepared by the Department of Archaeologyand Museums, Islamabad and the same will be put up for approval of competentauthority as soon as received from DOAM and the current year’s allocation willbe utilized in accordance with approved plan.

*Question No. 95 Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood: (Notice received on 20-06-2017 at 09:15 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Information and Broadcasting be pleased to statethe names and designations of the officers of the Ministry ofInformation and Broadcasting its attached departments, sub ordinateoffices and autonomous and semi autonomous corporation, bodiesand authorities who were sent abroad on official visits during thelast three years indicating also the name of country visited, purposeand duration of visits and the expenditure incurred in each case?

Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb: Main Ministry 29 Officers visited abroad

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during last three years. Names and designation of the visitors are at Annexure-I.External Publicity Wing

The requisite information is attached at Annexure-II

Press Information Department (PID)

The requisite information is attached at Annexure-III

Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC)

The requisite information is attached at Annexure-IV

Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)

The required information may please be seen at Annexure-V.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

The required information may please be seen at Annexure-VI.

Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company (SRBC)

The required information may please be seen at Annexure-VII. Associated

Press of Pakistan Corporation (APPC)

The required information may please be seen at Annexure-VIII .

Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA)

The required information may please be seen at Annexure- IX.

(Annexures have been placed on the Table of the House as well as Library.)

*Question No. 96 Senator Chaudhary Tanvir Khan: (Notice received on 21-06-2017 at 09:25 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History andLiterary Heritage be pleased to state the steps, being by theGovernment to reorganize and improve the infrastructure andperformance of PTV to enable it to compete with private TV channels

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in the country?Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb: Following steps have been taken by the

present management of PTV to improve infrastructure and performance of PTV;

Improvement in infrastructure

Pakistan Television Corporation is striving hard to improve its performancewith available resources. Technical infrastructure of Pakistan Television needs upgradation due to obsolete technology and ageing.

In view of financial constraints, PTVC cannot upgrade equipment with itsown recourses. A PC-1 for up gradation of equipment worth Rs 255.370 Millionfor PTV News and Rs. 156.807 Million for PTV Academy has been consideredin PSDP allocation. PTVC will initiate procurement process soon after release offunds to improve its infrastructure and performance.

Following seven (7) Rebroadcast Stations (RBSs) are near to completionand will be operational by December, 2017.

i. RBS Kotli Sattian ii. RBS Mian Channu

iii. RBS Badin iv. NNB Larkana

v. RBS Buneer vi. RBS Pooran

vii. RBS Astore

To expand PTV transmission in remote and far-flung areas of the country,

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following PSDP Projects are under consideration;In the field of IT , PTV has improved its infrastructure to enable to compete

with the private TV channels;

Connectivity of PTV News Centres/bureaus through multilingualNews Information Management system (mNIMS)

State of the art IT broadcast equipment for quality output like VizRTand virtual studio

State of the art nonlinear editing for 24/7 news environment basedon OMNEON tapeless video servers and playbacks

Interactive PTV Web portal and social media interactions with webusers

Updation of official PTV YouTube channels for web users

Live webcasting of PTV Family for web users

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PTV mobile apps for IOS and Android users and TSTV services

Remote news gathering through the use of modern IT basedTechnologies like FTP and live web streaming of national and internalevents

Replacement of traditional physical sets with virtual sets

Provision of Reuters Video Services for visuals of global coverages

Provision of AFP news wire services for news updates on 24/7 basis

Launching of creative media campaign, Program fillers, titles, promos,graphic material for all the major national and international eventslike information conferences, 23rd March, 70 years of Pakistan,Ramadan, Youm-e-Takbir etc. to enhance and uplift the image ofPakistan nationally and internationally

Improvement in Performance

PROGRAMMES WING

Special committees of media Professionals for better programming.

Maintenance of event calendar.

Sensitization of general masses.

Regional content on national network.

NEWS WING

PTV News has adopted new technology at steady pace in differentfields including news gathering as we have shifted from satellite tointernet for domestic and international coverage, thereby saving tensof millions of rupees.

Central newsroom is now paperless as well as tapeless with all postproduction facilities under one roof where OMNEON hardware is

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installed. FTP (file transfer protocol) is being used for sending and receiving

short duration visuals over the internet.

TVU backpacks are used as an alternative to DSNG for live coverageinside and outside Pakistan.

CURRENT AFFAIRS WING

Adoption of several SOPs to maintain performance level.

Regular review of content monitoring of programmes.

Up-gradation of technical sides.

Balance coverage to both government& Opposition parties.

Live coverage of “Question hour” of the both house of the Parliament.

To ensure due coverage to the Parliament.

FINANCE WING

By enhancing around 60% in-house productions, efficient utilizationof PTV’s human and technical resources, PTV is saving huge amounton large scale purchase of private content.

Special Ramadan transmission in progress, from which a handsomeIncome is expected.

By reducing the TV FEE commission from Rs. 5 per month/per paidconsumer to Re. 1 per month/per paid consumer, PTV is now earningan additional amount of Rs. 500 million per year.

Repaid working over DTH Licensing to PTV.



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(a) the present status of Railways line and Stations from Hyderabadto Badin; and

(b) whether any train has been plying on the said route, if so, thedetails thereof?

Khawaja Saad Rafique: (a) At present Railway track about 99 Kmbetween Hyderabad-Badin, having 8 Railway Stations and sectional speed of 65Kmph is fully operational.

(b) A passenger train (Badin Express) is plying twice a week (Mondayand Thursday) between Hyderabad and Badin.

Prior to 12-6-2017 Badin Express (179/Up 180/Dn) used to run ondaily basis.

Being commercially not viable, this service was curtailed twice aweek to keep the section alive.

PAF Base at Badin creates defense requirement to keep the trainrunning.

There is a parallel road network with high frequency of publictransport which takes much less travel time comparing train.

On short distances people like to travel by public transport beingmore flexible and accessible.

*Question No. 98 Senator Sitara Ayaz: (Notice received on 22-06-2017 at 10:55 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state whether it is a factthat rate of crimes against women is high / on the rise, if so, thereasons thereof?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: No, it is not a fact that crime rate againsi women ishigh in Islamabad.

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*Question No. 99 Senator Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari: (Notice received on 12-07-2017 at 12:00 p.m.)

Will the Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History andLiterary Heritage be pleased to state the procedure laid down forappointment against the post of Member, PEMRA indicating also theeducational qualifications and experience required for the same?

Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb: The procedure for appointment against thepost of Member, PEMRA is laid down in Section- 6 of PEMRA (Amendment)Act- 2007.

2. Section-6 (3) of PEMRA (Amendment) Act-2007 states that:

Out of twelve members one shall be appointed by the Federal Governmenton full time basis and five shall be eminent citizens chosen to ensure representationof all provinces with expertise in one or more of the following fields; media, law,human rights, and social service. Of the five members from the general public, twomembers shall be women.

3. Section- 6 (4) of PEMRA (Amendment) Act-2007 states that:

Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Secretary, InteriorDivision, Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Chairman, CentralBoard of Revenue shall be the ex-officio members.

4. Section -6 (4-A) of PEMRA (Amendment) Act -2007 states that:

The remaining two members shall be appointed by the Federal Governmenton need basis on the recommendation of the Chairman.

5. It may be noted that PEMRA (Amendment) Act does not specifydetailed procedure for appointment of provincial members of PEMRA Authorityunder Section-6 (3) of PEMRA (Amendment) Act- 2007. However, as perPrime Minister’s instructions a panel of 3 is submitted for each appointment to bemade by Prime Minister.

6. Section -7 of PEMRA (Amendment) Act- 2007 specifies thetenure of PEMRA members as 4 years.

7. The composition and classification of PEMRA Members Authority

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Annex-I

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is given in tabulated form at (Annex-I).*Question No. 100 Senator Sirajul Haq: (Notice received on 18-07-2017 at 10:45 a.m.)


(a) the steps being taken by the Government for the up-gradationand extension of Railways line from Peshawar to Torkham; and

(b) the steps taken by the present Government to make the railwaysline operational upto Dargai??

Khawaja Saad Rafique: (a) Ministry of Railways is working on PeshawarJalalabad (Afghanistan) connectivity through rail link. In this connection a feasibilitystudy titled -Provision of Rail Link from Peshawar to Jalalabad(Afghanistan) throughLoi Shalman Velley(145 Km)” is under process. likely to be completed byDecember.2017.1t will be known only after finalization of the said report whetherexisting track from Peshawar to Torkham is also included in the proposed schemeor not.

In this regard,it is further pointed out that the matter was raised in 5th JCCmeeting to include this connectivity project in CPEC which was not agreed. As afollow up action the same will again be raised in 7th JCC meeting.

(b) Nowshera to Dargai is still an operational section as freight trains areallowed to run. The only passenger train (P - 477 UP / P - 478 DN) which used torun on Nowshera- Dargai section, was suspended w.e.f 31-01-2000 beingun-remunerative.

Pakistan Railway is studying the feasibility of restoration of passengertrains on this section considering commercial viability of the same. Furthermore,Pakistan Railways is planning to conduct a feasibility study regarding extension ofrail track from Noshera to Dargai and onwards to Gilgit via Kalam.

*Question No. 101 Senator Sirajul Haq: (Notice received on 18-07-2017 at 10:45 a.m.)


(a) the details of railways accidents took place during the last fouryears indicating also the location of accident and the number of

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persons died and injured in the same in each case;(b) whether it is a fact that the ratio of the said accidents has

increased during the tenure of present Government, if so, thereasons thereof; and

(c) whether the present Government has taken any steps to controlthe said accidents, if so, the details thereof?

Khawaja Saad Rafique:

The location/division wise break-up of the said accidents is given below:The list of exact location of the accidents is attached as annexure A (2013),

B (2014), C (2015) , D (2016).

During the period from 01-01-2013 to 31st December 2016, 118 personsdied while 467 were injured as a result of Railway accidents. The year wise break-up of the said casualties is given below;——————————————————————————————

Year Killed Injured——————————————————————————————

2013 14 262014 14 722015 44 2032016 46 166

——————————————————————————————

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Total: 118 467——————————————————————————————

(b) While comparing the four year tenure of present government(2013-2017) with the previous government (2009-2012), it is clarified that a totalof 338 accidents occurred during the tenure of present government comparedwith 397 accidents during the similar tenure of last government. As such there is areduction of 59 accidents in the tenure of present government.

(c) Pakistan Railways has taken following measures to prevent accidentsand ensure safe running of trains.

1. Pakistan Railways conducted a joint survey with collaboration of allconcerned District authorities during 2013 and indentified 550un-manned level crossings as vulnerable over the entire network.

2. Pakistan Railways proactively took up this issue with all the provincialgovernments to fund conversion of these un-manned level crossingsto manned level crossings. As a result of this follow up 75 un-mannedlevel crossings out of 550 have been converted into manned levelcrossings during 2015-16 in the province of Punjab at a cost ofRs. 610 million provided by the Government of Punjab.

3. Whereas only seven (7) unmanned level crossing were upgradedduring last five years (2008-13).

4. Efforts are underway for up-gradation of remaining vulnerable levelcrossings. In this regard, the help of respective provincial governmentsis being solicited.

5. Government of Punjab has committed funding of Rs. 1250 million intwo phases for up-gradation of another 150 vulnerable unmannedlevel crossings during financial year 201617 & 2017-18.

6. Sindh Government has provided Rs. 104 million for up-gradation of15 most vulnerable level crossings.

7. An amount of 177.96 million is demanded from the Government ofKhyber Pakhtunkhwa for up-gradation of 18 unmanned levelcrossings.

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8. An amount of 80 million has been demanded from Government ofBalochistan for up-gradation of 10 unmanned level crossings.

9. Pakistan Railways is also in process of conversion of busy/dangerouslevel crossings into under pass/flyovers on BOT basis with the helpof provincial governments. In first phase 05 level crossings have beenidentified in Punjab for consideration on trial basis.

10. Road surface of all level crossings is being improved together withimproved warning boards.

11. Provision of reliable communication (VHF radio) between groundstaff and locomotive crew has already been provided.

12. The Directorate of Public Relations has produced video messagesfor circulation over Social Media to inform the public about thedangers associated with railway crossings.

13. Tracking/monitoring of trains through GPS/Iocation devices is underprocess.

14. Provision of audio visual warning to the road users (Red & Greensignals with Bell) and the Train Driver while approaching a levelcrossing is under process with the help of local technical company.

15. Training, refresher courses, medical/ psychological test of operatingstaff including station staff are conducted regularly at the PakistanRailways Academy, Walton, Special attention is being given to thetraining of the locomotive crew, guards, station master and otherconcerned staff with train operations.

16. Regular inspections in accordance with prescribed standards andquota are conducted by the officers and officials of Pakistan Railwaysto maintain safety standards. This process is being constantlymonitored at appropriate levels.

17. Special bulletins/instructions are issued regularly for guidance of staff.

18. Inquiries into accidents are held, responsibility fixed and remedialmeasures on the basis of their findings are promptly taken.

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19. Inspections of all manned or unmanned level crossings is being carriedout by all concerned in accordance with laid down schedule regularly.

20. Special attention is being paid to the surfacing of roads, clearance ofcheck rails, maintenance, cross level track, clearance of visibilityzones and maintenance of the level crossings.

21. Warning signs in Urdu vernacular have already been erected whichare clearly visible from the both sides of unmanned/manned levelcrossings.

22. Instructions have been issued to all operating division for introductionof LED based light in tail lamps.

23. Conversion of old age kerosene oil based signal have beenundertaken replaced with LED’s on main line.

(Annexures have been placed on the Table of the House as well as Library.)

*Question No. 102 Senator Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel: (Notice received on 25-07-2017 at 11:30 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to refer to the Senate starredquestion No. 174, replied on 19th January, 2017 and state:

(a) the names of the persons who deposited an amount of Rs. 850000in 2013 and were allotted plots measuring 30 x 60, in JinnahGardens, Phase-I, Islamabad but possession of the same hasnot been handed over to them, so far; and

(b) the reasons for not handing over the possession of those plots tothe said persons so far and the time by which the same will behanded over to them?

Mr. Ashan Iqbal: (a) 1097 plots were allotted by the FECHS in JinnahGarden to the members of National Assembly Employees Cooperative HousingSociety, Islamabad in 2013 @ Rs.850,000/- in the light of Joint venture executedbetween both societies (list attached at Annex- “A”). So far 413 plots havebeen handed over to these members whereas possession of remaining members isunder process.

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(b) The reasons of delay of not giving possession of plots to all saidmembers are as under:—

i. Delay in consolidation of purchased land by the National AssemblySecretariat Employees Cooperative Housing Society (NASECHS),Islamabad.

ii. Resolution of land disputes with different land owners even theirown disputes within their families.

iii. Disputes over purchased land by FECHS and the same is in thepossession of Naval Anchorage a housing project Pakistan Navy.

iv. Purchase of pockets by the Naval Anchorage (Pakistan Navy) inthe purchased area of FECHS.

v. Delay in exchange of land purchased by the previous ManagingCommittee in different Mouzajat such as on Japan Road, Gagri,Bhindar and Darwala etc.

Presently an administrator with limited powers is appointed and electionsof new Managing Committee are under process.. After elections of new ManagingCommittee the possession of plots will be handed over to the remaining membersof NASECHS.

(Annexure has been placed on the Table of the House as well as Library.)

*Question No. 103 Senator Nawabzada Saifullah Magsi: (Notice received on 01-08-2017 at 11:30 a.m.)


(a) the number of water filtration plants installed in the IslamabadCapital Territory with location wise break up indicating alsothe number of plants functional out of the same at present;

(b) the schedule laid down for cleansing and maintenance of thesaid plants; and

(c) whether it is a fact that a number of those plants, including theone installed in Shahzad Town, are out of order at present, if so,the reasons thereof and the time by which the same will be made

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functional?

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal: (a) Thirty seven (37) Nos Water Filtration Plants areinstalled in Islamabad City and are functional. Location-wise detail is at Annex-‘A’.

(b) The operation and maintenance of 37. Water Filtration Plants is beingcarried out through a rate running contract on annual basis. Carbon media, sandmedia, cartridge filters Ultra Violet (U.V) Lamps, Water taps, etc are being replacedas & when required. To ensure quality, water of each plant is got tested regularly.

(c) Three (03) new filtration plants, including the one being installed in

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Shahzad Town, are at present non-functional due to non-completion of work andthe same shall be made functional within one month’s time.

*Question No. 104 Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar: (Notice received on 08-08-2017 at 11:45 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Railways be pleased to state the time by whichthe work for laying railway track and construction of a bridge onSibi-Harnai-Khost section will be completed?

Khawaja Saad Rafique: The work of laying of track, rehabilitation of17 bridges, and allied structural works on SibiHarnai-Khost section is scheduledto be completed in 24 months as per contract agreement i.e by 21-03-2018.

Efforts are being made to complete the rehabilitation work of Sibi –Harnai section (92 Km) by December 2017 and Harnai – Khostsection (42 Km) by March 2018


Will the Minister for Railways be pleased to state the names of privatepersons who have illegally occupied the land of Pakistan Railways inthe country during the last three years with province wise break up?

Khawaja Saad Rafique: No fresh encroachment of permanent natureon railway land was reported during the last four years. However any freshencroachment of temporary nature if found during the said period was removedand land retrieved immediately.

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Land measuring 1055 acres encroached in the past has been retrievedduring the last four years.

Following steps have been taken by the Pakistan Railways toretrieve the encroached land:—

Detailed survey was carried out to identify and work out the detailsof encroached land, unauthorizedly occupied by the individualencroachers and under illegal occupation of GovernmentDepartments.

The campaign is being monitored by the Divisional Superintendents,Headquarters office and at the level of Ministry of Railways.

A comprehensive policy has been Prawn to prevent furtherencroachments. This policy makes the concerned Pakistan RailwayOfficers/officials and Railway Police officiate jointly responsible incase of any new encroachment.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and joint Procedure ordershave since been issued for strict implementation of this policy. F.IRsare being lodged and cases are registered and sent to Railway judicialMagistrates for expeditious trial.

During the current campaign 2023 cases were registered and 2152accused were arrested during the anti-encroachment operations. Theaccused involved in 1348 cases were convicted whereas 35 wereacquitted.

The issue regarding illegal occupation/possession of Railway land byGovernment Departments/Institutions has also been taken up withconcerned departments.

A project for computerization of railway land record was initiatedduring April 2015 with the assistance of Urban Unit in order toharmonize the railway land record with the record of all the provincialrevenue departments. This project is near completion and will ensure

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to safeguard railway land through a computerized monitoring systemand will render total transparency in land management.


Will the Minister for Railways be pleased to state the number of personsappointed in the Ministry of Railways and its attached departmentsunder the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan programme in addition tothe normal prescribe quota of Balochistan since the launching of thatprogramme with grade wise and district wise break up?

Khawaja Saad Rafique: 25 Persons have been appointed by the Ministryof Railways and its attached department under the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan

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Programme in addition to the normal prescribed quota of Balochistan since thelaunching of that Programme. Details are attached as Annexure-A.*Question No. 107 Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood: (Notice received on 09-08-2017 at 09:30 a.m.)

Will the Minister for Defence be pleased to state the names anddesignations of the officers of the Ministry of Defence, its attacheddepartments, sub ordinate offices and autonomous and semiautonomous corporations, bodies and authorities who were sentabroad on official visits during the last three years indicating alsothe name of country visited, purpose and duration of visit and theexpenditure incurred in each case?

Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan: The details of visits abroadconducted by the officers of Ministry of Defence and its Attached Departmentsduring last three years are placed at Annex-A. A summary of these visits is asunder:—

——————————————————————————————S# Name of Department Total visits

——————————————————————————————1. Ministry of Defence (Main) 28

2. Pakistan Armed Services Board 01

3. Survey of Pakistan 31

4. Pakistan Military Accounts Department 15

5. Military Lands & Cantonments Department 04

6. Pakistan Maritime Security Agency 27——————————————————————————————

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Annex-I

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ISLAMABAD, AMJED PERVEZ,the 23rd August, 2017 Secretary.

PCPPI—4140(17) Senate—23-08-2017 —275.

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