Day: March 4, 2022

 

Islamabad, March 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):A Meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Dr. Muhammad Humayun Mohmand here at Parliament House on Thursday.

The Committee unanimously rejected the “Pakistan Psychological Council Bill” The Chairman Committee was of view that both the August Houses of Parliament have passed the “Allied Health Professional Council Bill” and Psychology/Counselling has been included in it. While discussing the matter regarding the number of seats in medical colleges for the students of erstwhile Fata raised by Senator Mushtaq Ahmad khan and Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar in the Senate sitting on 22nd December.

Anwar ul Haq Kakar suggested that HEC should increase quota for the Students belonging to Baluchistan and studding outside the Province, as most of the middle class families from Baluchistan despite all the economic hardships have sent their children to study in some of the best institutes of the Country.

They have the right to get scholarships as they belong to underprivileged Province of Baluchistan and have performed very well academically, he added. HEC agreed to give 20 pc of total 265 seats to students belonging to Baluchistan and studying outside the Province and 80 pc to students who are studying in Baluchistan.

Senator Sardar Shafiq advised that Committee may write to Planning Commission to speed up the process of approving PC 1 of HEC FATA-BALUCHISTAN scholarship for the years to come so that students may not face problems. The Committee directed the Planning Commission to consider the matter urgently.

Furthermore, the Committee discussed the matter of issuance of show cause notice to 22 Doctors practicing aesthetics raised by Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur. Member of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) informed the Committee that PMC has received a complaint from President House regarding an aesthetic practitioner and the PMC only examined 7 practitioners out of 11, because the other four were technicians and they do not come under the ambit of PMC.

Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur stated that PMC did not take any action against the accused mentioned in the complaint by President House. Chairman Committee directed the PMC to look into details of the matter and brief the Committee about it in the next meeting.

However, while discussing the matter of procurement of MRI machine, Chairman Committee inquired that why the Ministry is buying an MRI machines with low end specifications. I only want the tax money of people of the Country to be spent in a better way, he stressed.

In reply to that, Nabeel Ahmad Awan Additional Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR and C) told the Committee that MRI machines with advanced specifications are costly and buying Four MRI machines with 1.5 Billion rupees is at least better than having nothing. Poly Clinic hospital has been established since ages and it still does not possess a MRI machine, he added.

He also requested the Committee to listen to Dr. Tariq Mehmood Prof. Radiology at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) with respect to matter at hand. The Chairman Committee stated that I will discuss the matter with the worthy members of the Committee and then inform the Ministry about it.

The meeting was attended by Senator Sana Jamali, Senator Fawzia Arshad, Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Senator Anwar Ul Haq, Dr. Faisal Sultan Special Advisor to Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) and others Senior Officers of NHSRC as well.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

 

Islamabad, March 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs was held here at Parliament House on Thursday with Senator Rubina Khalid in the Chair. The Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) briefed the committee on Gwadar Port Development Plan; a question asked by Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan in the Senate sitting. While briefing the committee, the chairman GPA apprised that the development of Gwadar port was initiated in 2002. During 2007-2013 the development work hampered due to security and other issues but in the last three years development work in Gwadar is going in full swing.

From 2007 to 2012 the control of the Gwadar port was with Singapore port Authority but in 2013 the operational control of GPA was handed over to China Overseas Port Holding Company; since then the development is on the right track. Regarding the present status of Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute, the Chairman GPA underlined that the Institute was completed in September 2021 before its completion date with a student capacity of Appx 256 students, adding that short courses have already been started in the institute.

Chairperson Rubina Khalid asked why long courses have not been started yet. She stressed that the training in the institute should be according to the need of the local population. Chairperson Rubina Khalid sought details of the staff, curriculum and courses to be taught in the Pak-China Technical vocational Institute in the next meeting. The Chairman GPA informed that China has agreed for providing training in the institute and a draft agreement has been already prepared in this regard which will be signed soon.

The Chairman Gwadar Port Authority also briefed the committee on the Gwadar port Master Plan. He underscored that the port expansion project mainly consists of; the expansion and construction of the storage yard, the Construction of a Multi-Purpose terminal, and The Oil and Gas terminals including a tank area.

He said that PC-1 regarding land acquisition worth Rs 48 billion has been sent to the Prime Minister. The committee recommended prompt acquisition of the remaining Gwadar port land keeping in mind the surge in property rates.

Senator Muhammad Akram while showing his concern said that Gwadar Port was started in 2007 but has not been completed yet adding, that neither the Pak-China Technical Vocational Institute has been operationalized nor the business activities have any footing. To which the chairman GPA asserted that development in Gwadar is in full swing since 2013. He added that Diplomas will be started in the vocational institute in Appx 2 months while the East Bay Expressway has already been completed in 2021.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to Gwadar in July 2021 performed the ground-breaking of the Gwadar Free Zone (phase-2). Development work has already been started and several business ventures have signed agreements with free zone developers to construct the facilities in the next few months, he noted.

The Chairman GPA also informed the committee about the internal and external challenges they are trying to tackle, inter alia, including Maintenance dredging (Case is pending in Ministry of Finance), Land acquisition as per Gwadar port Master Plan (Case is pending in PM office for presentation), Vacation of land by Pak Navy and Pakistan Coastal Guards (Concrete vacation plan from PN and PCG is awaited despite directions of PM and CCoCPEC), Industrial and commercial activities generation in the region particularly in Makran region, Lack of Basic utilities (Electric power, Gas, Water, Internet), Security Challenges and lack of smooth hinterland connectivity for National Transit cargo. The Committee assured the Chairman GPA of their full cooperation if needed.

The officials also briefed the committee about the proposed PSDP of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and its attached departments for the Financial Year 2022-2023. The committee was informed that Finance Ministry has not released PSDP funds for the three schemes of the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority. To probe the matter, the Chairperson committee showed her intent to call the secretary Finance in the next meeting of the committee.

Senators Abida Muhammad Azeem, Naseema Ehsan, Dost Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Akram attended the meeting while Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan participated as a mover. Secretary Maritime Affairs, Chairman Gwadar Port Authority and other relevant officials also participated in the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Islamabad, March 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):Thirty people were martyred and more than fifty injured in a blast at a mosque in Kocha Risaldar Qissa Khwani Bazar Peshawar today (Friday). The injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the blast in Peshawar. In a statement today, he directed the authorities concerned to provide immediate medical aid to the injured people.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, March 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has expressed gratitude to Australian High Commission in Pakistan for its untiring efforts to arrange Australia’s visit to Pakistan. In a tweet on Friday, he wished best of luck to Pakistani captain Babar Azam.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, March 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said the PTI government would complete its five years tenure as all the coalition partners are supporting Prime Minister Imran Khan. Talking to a private television channel, he said, opposition party leaders would fail again in bringing no-confidence move against the government.

He said that the opposition leaders have been unsuccessful in the long march and they would again disappoint. The Minister said that the people would not support the opposition parties because their leaders are struggling to protect themselves from the corruption cases

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, March 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):Australian Cricketers’ Association Chief Executive Todd Greenberg has appreciated security arrangements made for the Australian cricket team in Pakistan. He was addressing a news conference at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday along with other office bearers of Australia Cricket, ICC and the PCB ahead of the first test match between Pakistan and Australia.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Australia Nick Hockley appreciated the overwhelming warm welcome received by the Australian team in Pakistan. Chief Executive Officer of the ICC Geoff Allardice said that a strong Pakistan is very important for international cricket.

Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Cricket Board Faisal Hasnain said the Australian tour sends out a very positive and strong message to the entire world. He expressed the confidence that when the Australian team returns home, they will leave with fond memories and become ambassadors of Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, March 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):The 117th meeting of the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission concluded in Islamabad and discussed the entire gamet of water related issues between the two sides. The Indian delegation comprising ten members was headed by the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters P. K. Saxena, while Pakistan’s delegation was led by Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah.

Pakistan reiterated its observations on the Kiru Hydroelectric project located upstream river Chenab and India’s new run-of-the-river small HEPs on Western rivers. Response to Pakistan’s objections to Indian projects including Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai was also sought. Both sides reiterated their commitment to implement the Indus Water Treaty in its true spirit.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk