Khursheed for discussing problems of people in parliament

NA told steps taken to reduce stillbirth rate;
no projects, funding for MNAs, senators; 25pc quota
for promoting local journalism; parliament building
switches to solar energy; Saeeduz Zaman takes oath

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Friday called for discussing issues relating to people in parliament.

Speaking on a motion regarding privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines and prices of oil and gas, he said parliamentarians took oath to resolve the public issues rather than creating problems for them.  He said parliament is the supreme institution and even weak democracy is better than a strong dictatorship. He urged the government to take issues to parliament for discussion and legislate for welfare of people. Khursheed said it is the fundamental right of a parliamentarian to do politics for the sake of public.

He said the PPP government had passed 137 bills in its five years’ tenure with the consensus of opposition parties.Minister of State for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar on Friday informed the National Assembly that the government was taking steps to decrease the stillbirth rate.

“We have made a 10-point agenda to decrease the stillbirth rate and other childbirth complications,” she said while responding to a calling attention notice. It was moved by Shaista Pervaiz Malik and Asiya Naz Tanoli, regarding the high stillbirth rate and deaths of thousands of women due to child birth complications in the country. She said the important area was neglected by previous governments but the current government is taking steps to provide basic health facilities.

She said in Pakistan, the stillbirth rate is 0.25 million and all the Third World countries are facing this issue. She said the basic reason for the stillbirth and other maternity problems is lack of resources and awareness. Replying to a query regarding maternity issues in Tharparkar, Saira said the government is taking steps to provide the basic health facilities and food to Tharparkar victims. Replying to another query regarding bar codes of medicines, she said the government had started action against companies for not printing the code on medicines.

State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab on Friday told the National Assembly that there is no provision of funds for development schemes for MNAs and senators in PSDP 2015-16.

He said previously a parliamentarians programme viz People Works Programme was being financed through the federal PSDP.MDGs Community Development Programme is responsive in nature and envisages provisioning of development opportunities in deficient areas by direct targeted intervention. Expenditure against this allocation will be made on projects identified by the civil society organisation local communities etc. and approved by the competent forum.

Parliamentary Secretary for Information Broadcasting and National Heritage Friday told the National Assembly that 25 percent quota has been allocated for promoting journalism at local level. During the question-hour in the National Assembly, he said the ministry was promoting newspapers at district level with the specific quota.

Newly elected member of National Assembly from Sindh Saeeduz Zaman took oath Friday. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq administered the oath. The seat fell vacant due to demise of Amin Fahim on November 21. Zaman is brother of Amin Fahim who won the NA 218 by-poll by bagging 114,079 votes while his rival Farman Shah of the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen took 13,929 votes in the by-poll last month.

Both National Assembly and Senate had been fully switched to solar energy being produced by the power plant installed with the Chinese assistance. Making the announcement during proceeding of the house Friday, the speaker said the project had been materialized with the help of parliamentarians, media and employees of the parliament.

He said the plant was generating 80 kilowatts power and both the houses were consuming 62 kilowatts. Additional electricity was being supplied to Islamabad Electric Supply Company, he added. The project was funded by the Chinese government as a gesture and acknowledgement of the long standing friendship with Pakistan.

The project was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping along with Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq during his visit to Pakistan in April 2015. The project was installed to generate one megawatt of electricity.