Ishaq Dar reiterates Pakistan’s demand for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
ISLAMABAD, July 05 (SABAH): The Senate of Pakistan was informed on Friday that the federal government is encouraging the use of electric vehicles in order to protect the environment and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar told the House during Question Hour that thirty electric buses have been imported from China. These buses have been stationed at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad where state of the art charging facilities have been made available. He said the soft launch of these buses is taking place today.
The Minister for Law told the House that NADRA centers will be established in each Union Council in the next two and a half years.
He said the NADRA has prepared a comprehensive phased wise plan in this regard and 1150 Union Councils will have NADRA centers in ten months.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Advocate told the House that the government has not ceased the advertisement of any television channel. He said the advertisements are being given in accordance with their ratings. He said newspapers received advertisements worth nine billion rupees, and television channels of six billion rupees over the last five years.
The Minister for Information also clarified that no new tax has been imposed on newspapers in the budget 2024-25. He emphasized the need for making advertisement policy more effective after consultations with the stakeholders.
Taking the floor, Leader of the House Mohammad Ishaq Dar assured that the privatization process will be taken forward in a transparent manner and due process will be followed. He however emphasized there should not be any politics on this matter.
The Leader of the House proposed formation of a special committee to ascertain why the privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills did not occur, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of billions of rupees.
The Senate also passed The State Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Amendment Bill, 2024. It was moved by Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar.
The Law Minister said the bill is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Boards of Directors of State-Owned Enterprises.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar says Pakistan has forcefully raised the plight of Palestinian people at the international forums.
Speaking in the Senate on Friday, Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s demand for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that proceedings of war crimes should be initiated against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
He said the genocide of Palestinians must come to an end and free flow of humanitarian aid should be allowed inside Gaza.
The Deputy Prime Minister said Pakistan has sent nine consignments of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
Ishaq Dar said the Pakistan medical and Dental Council has allowed medical and dental students from Gaza to complete their studies in Pakistan. He said the Palestinian students will be coming in batches of twenty and thirty.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said steps are being taken on war footing to bring improvement in performance of electricity distribution companies. Later, the House was prorogued.