Pakistan received $34.28 bn foreign remittances in last two years, Senate told

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan on Wednesday informed the Senate that overseas Pakistanis had sent home $34.28 billion remittances in the last two fiscal years.
Replying to a question during the Question Hour, the minister said $18.45 billion foreign remittances were received in 2014-15 and $15.83 billion during 2013-14.
He said that Pakistan received the highest amount of remittances from the Middle Eastern countries, and the government was taking all possible steps to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis.
The number of banks for remittance distribution had also been increased to 25 from five to provide prompt facility to the overseas Pakistanis, he added.
Replying to another question, Jam Kamal told the House that Rs174.457 billion were recovered on account of withholding tax (WHT) on mobile phone card/recharges and other sources connected thereto during the last five years.
In response to another question, the minister said the subject of registration of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) fell under the purview of the provincial governments and the Islamabad Capital Territory while the Economic Affairs Division did not maintain any record pertaining to them.
The mandate of foreign based NGOs had been transferred to the interior ministry under the directions of the prime minister, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal informed the House that the Additional Registrar of the PIDE University, Muhammad Hussain, was granted an extension in service thrice after attaining the age of superannuation.
The university management, he added, had been told that there would be no further extension (in service) for the said official.