national assembly secretariat ———— “questions … assembly secretariat ————...

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(20th Session)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT

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“QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES”

to be asked at a sitting of the National Assembly to be held on

Thursday, the 26th March, 2015

@2. *Mrs. Shahida Rehmani:

Will the Minister for Watter and Power be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the cirecular debt has surged again;

(b) if so, the current amount alongwith mode of payment thereof;and

(c) the future strategy devised to curb the said debt?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a)Financial position of the Power Sector remained under pressure due to wide gapbetween revenue and cost of power supply. Delays occurred in Tariff Determinationand their notification while on the other hand energy receivables remained surgingat distribution level. Excessive line losses than determined by NEPRA and non-transfer of mark up cost to consumers further aggravated the financial crisis, resultingsurge in circular debt.

(b) Circular Debt was Rs. 258.7 billion as on 28-02-2015 (Annex-I).The mode of payment would, however, be recovery of current dues / arrears byDISCOs. DISCOs arrears were Rs. 552.4 billion as on 31-01-2015. The secondmode of payment would be subsidy receipts from GoP.

(c) Following strategy is being devised to curb the circular debt throughreduction in line losses and improvement in recovery of DISCOs:

——————————————————————————————@Transferred from Finance, Division.

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1. Imposition of Debt Service Surcharge and Global Obligation Fundto ensure repayment of loans arranged by Power Holding Pvt. Ltd.on behalf of DISCOs to pay off the liabilities of IPPs.

2. NEPRA target losses to be achieved by DISCOs.

3. The recovery of outstanding dues is being vigorously pursued at everylevel.

4. Notices issued to defaulter consumers for payment.

5. Prompt disconnection for non-payment of dues.

6. Recovery teams have been constituted by DISCOs. Services ofTehsildars (Recovery) are also being requisitioned from ProvincialGovernments to recover arrears under Land Revenue Act, 1967.

7. Bifurcation of lengthy feeders.

8. Reconditioning of LT&HT feeders where required.

9. System augmentation and DOP through development programs.

10. Provision of new transformers / load balancing on existingtransformers.

11. Analysis/ monitoring of losses on feeders.

12. Vigilance on rise and fall of consumption.

13. Installation of TOU meters.

14. Rectification and proper allotment of Batch No. & Ref. No.

15. Periodic checking through M&T and Surveillance Teams.

16. Smart metering.

Further long term steps are also being taken by the Govt. to permanentlyeliminate the circular debt of power sector:

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Mega hydel power projects are being constructed by Pakistan Waterand Power Development Authority.

Conversion of existing furnace oil based power plants to coal basedpower plants.

Construction of new coal based power plants in collaboration withChina.

Construction of wind and solar power plants through Alternate EnergyBoard.

Rehabilitation of existing power plants for enhancing thermal efficiency.

(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)

@42. *Mr. Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan:

Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to state:

(a) whether Aik Hunar Aik Nagar Project was initiated in thecountry to train the women;

(b) whether trainers were not given their stipend by the said projectso far; if so, the reasons thereof; and

(c) the steps being taken or proposed to be taken to award stipendto those trainers?

Minister for Industries and Production (Mr. Ghulam Murtaza KhanJatoi: (a) AHAN - Aik Hunar Aik Nagar is operating since 2008 to develop andpromote hand-crafted products of rural artisans and crafts persons.

Yes, AHAN provides training/capacity development opportunities to bothmen and women artisans.

(b) AHAN gives stipend to all the trainees and trainers as per approvedproject documents. This particular matter relates to a project titled “National CraftDevelopment Project (NCDP)” launched in Sindh and Southern Punjab to trainwomen in local crafts. The project was initiated with the provision of funds byPakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC). Out of total approved fundsof Rs. 79.95 million, Rs. 50 million were released including cost of stipendamounting to Rs. 21.60 million till the date of completion.____________________________________________________________@Tranferred from Cabinet Division.

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(c) The matter for payment of remaining amount Rs. 29.95 million wasplaced before the BoDs meeting held on 5th March, 2015 and the management ofthe project gave presentation to the Board. However, the matter was deferred bythe Board due to dissatisfaction over the Project.

@68. *Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi:

Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulation andCoordination be pleased to state:

(a) the number of cases registered under Prohibition of Smokingand protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance 2002 (LXXIVof 2002); and

(b) the reasons for non-implementation of the said ordinance?

Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination:(a) The number of cases registered under various Sections of Prohibition of Smokingand Protection of Non-Smoker’s Health Ordinance, 2002 in project model districtssince 2010 are as follows:——————————————————————————————

District No. of cases registered——————————————————————————————

Islamabad 593Gujranwala 110Lahore 75Sargodha 06Multan 54Rawalpindi 55Faisalabad 27Hyderabad 15Peshawar 14Abbotabad 10Quetta 08

——————————————————————————————Total 967

——————————————————————————————@Tranferred from Interior Division.

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(b) According to SROs 1068 (I)/2006 and 46 (I)/2007, provincialgovernments and ICT Administration are empowered to implement the SaidOrdinance in their jurisdictions. Tobacco Control Cell is coordinating with provincialgovernments to ensure implementation of the said Ordinance.

In order to ensure implementation of tobacco control law, Tobacco ControlCell requested the provincial authorities and ICT administration several times toissue directions to their subordinate offices. In response to this, provincial IGs andICT Administration issued directions to their subordinate offices for strictenforcement of the said Ordinance. Resultantly, 967 cases were registered againstthe violators.

Despite all these efforts, following are major reasons for slowimplementation of the said Ordinance:—

(i) Low priority of provincial & district governments and authorizedpersons / law enforcement agencies due to law and order situationof the country.

(ii) Lack of awareness of authorized persons / law enforcement agencieson the said Ordinance

(iii) No financial incentive to the authorized persons / law enforcementagencies on enforcement of the said Ordinance.

(iv) No funds for capacity building of authorized persons / lawenforcement agencies on enforcement of the said Ordinance.

@83. *Dr. Fozia Hameed:

Will the Minister for Religions Affairs and Inter-faith Harmoeny bepleased to state:

(a) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to register the un-registered Maddarass in thecountry; if so, the prescribed criteria thereof; and

(b) the prescribed mechanism to examine Friday Sermons in variousmosques in Islamabad?

——————————————————————————————@Transferred from Interior Division.

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Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (SardarMuhammad Yousaf): (a) Yes, as a consequence of National Action Plan, theM/o Interior, vide U.O. D.No. 357/2015(DS (Admn) dated 20-01-2015 (Annex)has constituted a committee on Registration & Regulation of Madaris under theChairmanship of Secretary, M/o Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (RA&IH)to address and facilitate the issues of Madaris in the country. As per TORS of thecommittee, all Deeni Madaris by what so ever named would be registered underthe Societies Registration Act-1860 amended by an Ordinance of 2005. Meetingsof the committees have been held on 12-02-2015, 18-02-2015 & 25-02-2015respectively under the Chairmanship of Secretary (RA&IH) to deliberate uponthe terms of reference of the committee. In pursuance of those meetings, thecommittee has devised a simple, uniform and comprehensive registration formwith the objective of facilitating registration process of all Deeni Madaris of thecountry. The same has been shared with all stakeholders and after feedback it willbe circulated to all provinces and line departments for necessary action.

(b) At the moment, there is no prescribed mechanism to examine FridaySermons in various mosques in Islamabad.


151. *Ms. Aasiya Nasir:

Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Housing Schemes launched for Minorities inBlochistan particularly in Quetta by the previous Governmentduring the period from 2008 to 2013 alongwith the detailsthereof; and

(b) the total amount granted therefor alongwith the present statusof those schemes?

Minister for Housing and Works(Mr. Akram Khan Durrani): (a) A

scheme was launched by Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak. PWD) forMinorities “Re-settlement of Christian Community at Quetta” by the previousGovernment during 2009-10. The scheme financed on 50:50 sharing by Federaland Provincial Governments. The work was accordingly started by Pak. PWD.Federal Government is almost released its share while the share by provincialgovernment could not be release as yet.

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(b) Approved cost for the scheme is Rs. 497.366 millions as perapproved PC-I and Federal Government released an amount of Rs. 220.993million, while the share by provincial government could not be released as yet.60% of work is completed and expected date of completion is June 2016 (Subjectto availability of funds).

152. *Ms. Nighat Parveen Mir:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to statewhether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to waive off the surcharges/duties/taxes included in theelectricity bills of consumers; if so, the time by which it will beimplemented?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): There

is no such policy under consideration of the Government at present.

153. *Ms. Nighat Parveen Mir:

Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleasedto state the total amount of subsidy being given to farmers underthe head of Urea by the Government?

Minister for National Food Security and Research (Mr. Sikandar

Hayat Khan Bosan):

Rs. 41.3 billion in the form of feed gas.

Rs. 477 per 50 kg bag on imported Urea.

154. *Mrs. Shahida Rehmani:


(a) whether it is a fact that membership of ex-members is beingrenewed by the Pakistan Housing Foundation;

(b) whether it is also a fact that the said membership will be validupto December, 2016; and

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(c) whether it is further a fact that the guarantee will be given inrespect of those projects to be completed up to 31st December,2016; if so, the details thereof?

Minister for Housing and Works(Mr. Akram Khan Durrani): (a)

Yes, the membership of F.G. employees who are already registered with PHAF isbeing renewed.

(b) No, the membership will be valid for lifetime, however, it is renewableafter two years.

(c) No, the members will be allotted units in all future projects of PHAF.

155. *Sheikh Salahuddin:

Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations andCoordination be pleased to state the steps being taken by theGovernment to control the utilization of un-registered medicines andmedical equipments in the country?

Minister for National Health Services, Regulation andCoordination: (a) The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has shownzero tolerance against manufacturing utilization and sale of un-registered drugs.The medical equipments are not registered in the country however, a law dealingwith medical devices (Medical Devices Rules) have beer notified only recently i.eon 09-03-2015.

156. *Sheikh Salahuddin:

Will the Minister for Housing and Works be pleased to state: (a) the steps being taken by the Government to overcome the

deficiency of housing units in the country; and

(b) whether it is a fact that no residential scheme has been launchedby the present Government during the last two years; if so, thereasons thereof?

Minister for Housing and Works (Mr. Akram Khan Durrani): (a)

The following steps are being taken by the Governments (M/o Housing & Works)to overcome the deficiency of housing units in the country through its attacheddepartments:-

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1. A comprehensive Prime Minister’s Housing Programme (2013-18)has been announced which includes construction of 1000 Clustersof 500 houses each for low-income families all over the country andto ensure cost-effective access to credit for housing, the Governmentwill be picking up a portion of the financing cost on behalf of theborrower over & above 8%. The said Prime Minister’s HousingProgramme is dealt by Apna Ghar Limited (APL) / National HousingAuthority (NHA).

2. Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) is in the process oflaunching 10 different housing schemes which will contribute inreducing the deficiency of housing units in the country.

3. Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF)launched 2 schemes and is in process for launching 4 housing schemesin future.

(b) The following schemes have been launched by the Government duringlast two years:-

(i) The housing scheme at Bhara Kahu, Zone-IV, Islamabad for FederalGovernment Employees and other specified groups launched byFederal Government Employees Housing Foundation an attacheddepartment of this Ministry.

(ii) Life Style Residency apartments in G-13, Islamabad on public privatepartnership with 75% for Federal Government Employees & otherspecified groups and 25% for General Public. The FederalGovernment Employees Housing Foundation is pursuing both projectsvigorously. Allotments to the eligible members will be madeaccordingly.

(iii) For Prime Minister’s Housing Programme (Apna Ghar Limited)(2013-18), Prime Minister constituted a Steering Committee underthe Chairmanship of Federal Finance Minister and Minister forHousing and Works is its Vice Chairman. The Committee hascompleted initial planning work and housing designs / models andalso land has been identified by the provinces on several locationsand now we are in position to initiate launching of projects.

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157. *Ms. Belum Hasnain:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that a huge amount has been given as a loanby a consortium of nine commercial banks to Power Sectorduring the period from 1-6-2013 till date; if so, the amountthereof;

(b) the heads under which the said loan will be used; and

(c) the objectives alongwith the terms and conditions of the saidloan?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a)

PUBLIC SECTOR THERMAL POWER PROJECTS

Consortium of 7 Banks, led by HBL, provided loan of Rs.37.650 Billions.Detail is as under:

Date of Loan

STFF I 19.150 30 Aug-12

STFF II 5.00 6-Aug-13

STFF III 13.500 30-Aug-13

(b) Installation of Power Plant having capacity of 425-525 MW atNandipur.

(c) Terms & conditions attached at Annex-A.

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158. *Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho:


(a) the total money owed to IPPs by WAPDA at present; and

(b) the steps being taken by the Ministry to prevent recurrence ofcircular debt?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) Thedetails of total amount Owed to IPPs by CPPA/PEPCO at present is placed at(Annex-I ).

(b) Following steps are being taken by the present Govt. to eliminateCircular Debt in future:

Development of Mega Hydel Power Projects.

Conversion of existing Oil based plants to Coal based plants.

Development of Alternate Energy sources, which includes wind, solar,bagasse.

Steps are being taken to enhance the thermal efficiency of existingpower plants.

Installation of plants on Hydel sources.

Provision of maximum gas for gas based plants.

Improvement in recovery position and reduction in losses throughmonitoring of DISCOS.

To control theft of power.

To control law and order situation in the country.

Maximum provision of energy to Industrial Sector to improve revenueand overall economy of the country.

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159. *Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho:

Will the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations andCoordination be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to upgrade the National Institute of Health,Islamabad to develop vaccines and sera for common diseasesin Pakistan;

(b) if the answer to part (a) above is in the affirmative, the types ofvaccines to be developed therefor?

Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination:

(a) Yes. The following four proposals/projects are under consideration by Govt.for PSDP allocation 2015-16 to enhance the present vaccine manufacturingcapacities of Biological Production Division (BPD) NIH and to improve the vaccinemanufacturing facilities:—

(i) Up-gradation of filling and supply line system of vaccines accordingto the current General Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) at BPD.NIH.

(ii) Strengthening and capacity enhancement or ORS production unitaccording to cGMP standards at NIH Islamabad.

(iii) Up-gradation of old stable and small animal house at NIH Islamabad.

(iv) Establishment of current GMP complaint new facility/complex forproduction of vaccine at NIH Islamabad.

(b) The capacity of following currently manufactured vaccines/products will be enhanced:

(i) Anti Snake Venom Serum (ASVS)

(ii) Anti Rabies Serum (ARS)

(iii) Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine (TT)

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(iv) Measles Vaccine

(v) Cell Culture Rabies Vaccine (CCRV)

(vi) Allergy Vaccine.

(vii) Flavoured ORS (Nimkol)

The following new vaccines will be manufactured from sharemanufacturing and gradually shifting to basic manufacturing:

(i) Pentavalent (Hib, HepB, DPT)

(ii) Other new vaccines in line with EPI program.

160. *Dr. Fozia Hameed:

Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleasedto state the steps being taken by the Government to increase theproduction and quality of Mangoes for export?

Minister for National Food Security and Research (Mr. Sikandar

Hayat Khan Bosan): Following steps were taken to increase the production,quality and pest free export of Mangoes when the Standing Committee on PlantHealth of European Union Commission has imposed a ban on import of high riskcommodities from India and issued warning to Pakistan regarding concerns ofEuropean Union about detection of quarantine pests in import consignments fromPakistan.

A comprehensive work plan was worked out in collaboration with allstake holders i.e. Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Authorityof Pakistan (TDAP), Pakistan Horticulture Development Export Company(PHDEC), Growers, Processors, Exporters Associations and Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) agencies. In the light of said action plan followingsteps were taken instantly:

Awareness campaign.

Capacity building of stakeholders.

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Registration of fruit fly free mango orchards.

Hot water treatment made mandatory and keep continuous monitoringfor EU countries.

Testing of pesticides residues.

Resultantly, Pakistan ranked 4th in mango export in the world with only 2quarantine pest interceptions as compared to 236 inceptions of last year.

Over all quantum of mango export has increased from 61484 to 92000 oflast year. For the production of quality mangoes following steps were alsotaken:

Establishment of clean mango nurseries.

Improved orchard management practices.

Integrated management of field disease and pest.

161. *Ms. Musarat Rafique Mahesar:

Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony bepleased to state the steps taken by the Government to control increasing intolerance among the followers of various sects andpromote tolerance among the public?

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (Sardar

Muhammad Yousaf): 1. To control intolerance among the followers of varioussects and promote tolerance among the public, the Ministry of Religious Affairs andInterfaith Harmony has regularly been organizing National Seerat Conference on12th Rabi –ul-Awwal every year at Islamabad, wherein prominent Ulema, Mashaikh,Scholars and people from all walks of life participate. These conferences provide aforum to Ulema, Mashaikh, Intellectuals, Scholars and Researchers to present theirideas and thoughts on Seerah and teachings of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S). Themes ofthe conferences also prove to be instrumental in bringing about Sectarian Harmony,Interfaith Harmony and brotherhood among the general masses.

2. Competition of Seerat Books. Naat and Articles on life, teachingsand Seerah of Muhammad (S.A.W.S) are organized in regional, national and

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international languages for men and women are held. Prizes are awarded to positionholders. These competitions also proved to be a source of dissemination ofteachings of the Holy Prophet. which contain teachings regarding tolerance.

3. Maqalat-e-Seerat are published and distributed amongst the libraries,institutions and desiring persons. The programe of National Seerat Conference isprojected by Print & Electronic Media every year on the occasion of l2thRabi-ul-Awwal to promote Sectarian Harmony in the country.

4. Minister for Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony held meetingswith the Ulema of all Muslim sects in five big cities (Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar,Quetta and Islamabad) of the country to promote Sectarian Harmony. Hepersuaded them to abide a common code of conduct.

5. This Ministry has floated a proposal for uniformity of timings of Azanand Prayers and a meeting has been held with the Ulema of Islamabad. They havesupported the proposal and a Committee has been set up to formulate further detailsin this respect. This will create sectarian harmony and tolerance among the public.

6. Meetings with organizations of madaris are continued forrationalization of syllabus. controlling militancy and registration of madaris.

7. Minorities are provided protection and steps for their welfare are taken.

162. *Shamas Un Nisa:

Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony bepleased to state the steps taken by the Government so far to registerall seminaries/madrassas in the country?

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (Sardar

Muhammad Yousaf): In order to implement the National Action Plan, the M/oInterior, vide U.O. D.No. 357/2015(DS (Admn) dated 20-01-2015 (Annex)has constituted a committee on Madrassah Reforms / Regulations under theChairmanship of Secretary, M/o Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (RA&IH)to address and facilitate the issues of Madaris in the country. TORs of the committeecovers contents of the subject question. Meetings of the committee have been

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held on 12-02-2015, 18-02-2015 & 25-02-2015 respectively under theChairmanship of Secretary (RA&IH) to deliberate upon the terms of reference ofthe committee. The committee has forwarded its progress report to the M/o Interioron 26-02-2015.


163. *Dr. Nafisa Shah:


(a) whether it is a fact that the Gadani Power Project has beenshelved; if so, the reasons thereof; and

(b) the total expenditures incurred on the said project so far?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) Nodecision has been taken to shelve the Gaddani Power Project. However, theproject has been included in the list of actively promoted projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Projects.

(b) Rs. 225.996 million have so far been incurred on the project forpreparation of Master Plan, various feasibility studies, surveys etc. conducted bythe Consultant NESPAK, including misc administrative operational expenditures.

164. *Dr. Nafisa Shah:


(a) the details of proposed renovation plans for upgradingtransmission lines; and

(b) the details of the proposed budget for the said plans?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) &(b) Planning Power NTDC has prepared short, medium and long term plans in thematter. Copies of the same are attached herewith please.


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165. *Shazia Marri:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state the impactsof imposition of 5% regulatory duty on consumer electricity tariff?

Transferred to Cabinet Division for answer on Next Rota Day.

166. *Sajid Ahmed:


(a) whether it is a fact that the IPPs are purchasing oil from privateentities instead of the Government at present;

(b) whether said purchase is tentamount to malpractice whichincludes under invoicing and tax evasion;

(c) if the answers to parts (a) and (b) above are in the affirmative,

the steps being taken by the Ministry in this regard?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) TheGovernment of Pakistan allows the IPPs to make their own arrangements forsupply of fuel. Hence, IPPs can directly enter into Fuel Supply Agreements (FSAs)with oil companies.

(b) & (c) As stated above, GOP does not provide fuel to IPPs and theymake FSA directly with oil companies. No such malpractice has been reported orcame to the notice of the GOP.

167. *Sajid Ahmed:


(a) whether it is a fact that the Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA)recently advised already registered employees of FederalGovernment for its schemes to refresh their memberships bydepositing Rs.5000/-; if so, the justification thereof; and

(b) the detail of previous practice of PHA for the allotment of Flats/Plots to the senior most employees as per his/her age?

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Minister for Housing and Works (Mr. Akram Khan Durrani): (a)1. Yes, the membership of F.G. employees who are already registered with PHAFis being renewed.

2. Only registered members will be allotted units in future projects.Also, PHAF is in the process of providing all the best facilities which will beavailable to the allottees in Head Office & Regional offices as well.

3. Those facilities are:

(i) One window transactions

(ii) Verisys system, for transparent transaction of property, directly linkedwith NADRA.

(iii) SMS for any information to the allottees regarding his property/transaction.

(iv) An integrated information system

(v) An upgrading and updating of web site.

(vi) Issuance of life time computerized allotment membership card.

(b)1.Since 2008, PHAF has allotted units to registered F.G. employeesas per following criteria:—

i. BS 20 to 22:

(a) Initially those officers were allotted houses who were near retirement.

(b) Due to poor response, later on the allotment was made on first comefirst serve basis.

ii. BS 1 to 16:

(a) Those employees who attained the age of 55-60 years (20%allotment).

(b) Those employees who attained the age of 40-55 years (80%allotment).

2. All allotments were made through transparent computerized balloting.

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168. *Syed Asif Hasnain:


(a) the steps being taken by the Government to eliminate measles;

and

(b) the steps being taken by the Government for awareness of thepublic and the media campaign in this regard?

Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination:

(a) & (b)

Regarding the elimination of measles in routine immunization the twodoses of Measles are being administered which is the part ofimmunization schedule. First dose of Measles vaccine is given at 9Months and second dose at the 15th Month of age.

Additionally in response to the measles out breaks apart from theroutine immunization schedule Government of Pakistan has takenthe initiative to launch measles campaigns for one dose for underfive, 6 months to 5 year children and other for the children up to tenyears. The campaign has been started since May 2014.

The total targeted population in the campaign till date is 52.602,397but 54.216,485 million Children have been vaccinated till date,achieving (103.%) coverage.

The up to date details of the campaign is as:

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The reported coverage is being assessed by WHO through 3rd partyevaluation.

WHO and Federal EPI Cell monitored the pre campaign andcampaign phase to timely address gaps and weakness in field.

The campaign in Islamabad suffered due to heavy rains, where thecampaign has been extended for one week to achieve the desiredcoverage.

Awareness of Public & Media for Measles Campaign:

For awareness, advocacy and social mobilization is being carriedout. The social mobilizers are mostly lady health workers from theirown catchment areas who went door to door to mobilize the parentsand create awareness regarding the advantages of RoutineImmunization and Measles vaccination.

Messages signifying the importance of Mass Measles Campaign andRoutine Immunization were disseminated through TV, Radio andMobile SMS.

The Banners, Posters, Mobile Milking and Mosques Announcementare carried out during the Campaign which further strengthened theawareness of public and community at large.

169. *Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state whethertariff has been increased on electricity consumers during the periodfrom 2010 to 2014; if so, the details of rates and reasons thereof?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): A utility

can run its operations only if full cost of supply is recovered through tariff. NEPRAdetermines tariff of all distribution companies based on cost of supply of eachcompany. Tariff determined by NEPRA is being charged to consumers after itsnotification by GOP. However, GOP notifies uniform tariff that stand lower thanthe tariff determined by NEPRA due to its public policy based on socio-economiccondition of the country. The difference between NEPRA determined Tariff andGOP notified tariff is paid by the government as Tariff Differential Subsidy.

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The detail of NEPRA determined and GOP Notified average tariff since2010 till date is as follows:——————————————————————————————

NEPRA GOPDetermined Notified Difference

Tariff Effective Tariff Tariff Rs/kWhRs/kWh Rs/kWh

——————————————————————————————01-01-2010 10.09 6.65 3.44

01-07-2010 10.35 7.05 3.30

01-10-2010 9.57 7.19 2.38

01-11-2010 9.57 7.29 2.28

15-03-2011 9.57 7.44 2.13

06-05-2011 9.57 7.58 1.99

01-03-2012 11 89 7.58 4.31

16-05-2012 11.89 8.78 3.11

01-07-2012 14.66 8.78 5.88

05-08-2013 14.66 10.95 3.71

01-10-2013 14.66 11.67 2.99

01-10-2014 13.83 11.45 2.38——————————————————————————————

Reasons of increase in tariff

In past due attention was not given to generate electricity from cheapersources, that includes hydel, and coal based power generation. On the other hand,demand of electricity has been increasing day by day, which has to meet throughcostly fuel i.e. furnace oil.

Prices of furnace oil are increasing over the period, causing surge in costof generation of electricity (Detail is placed at Annex-A).

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However, such increases in cost of supply are not fully passed on toconsumers of electricity and the consumer end tariff remains less than the tarifdetermined by NEPRA. The difference is being paid by the government as tariffdifferential subsidy. Year-wise detail of tariff differential subsidy paid by thegovernment to ease the consumers of electricity is under:———————————————————————————————

FY Rs. Bln——————————————————————————————

2009-10 187.9

2010-11 153.4

2011-12 155.9

2012-13 338.7

2013-14 243.7

2014-15 (Jul-Dec) 100.3——————————————————————————————

Present government is committed to generate adequate electricity onaffordable rates for which following measures are being taken:

Development of Mega Hydel Power Projects.

Conversion of existing Oil based plants to Coal based plants.

Development of Alternate Energy sources, which includes wind, solar,bagasse.

Steps are being taken to enhance the thermal efficiency of existingpower plants.

On materialization of such measures cost of electricity will be reduced,and ultimately consumer end tariff will also be reduced.

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170. *Ms. Aisha Syed:

Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleasedto state the steps taken by the Government to increase the productionof wheat alongwith the relief given to the growers in this regard?

Minister for National Food Security and Research (Mr. SikandarHayat Khan Bosan):

Conducting research for:

More productive varieties

Disease resistant varieties

Drought resistant varieties

Fixation of Minimum Guaranteed Price (MGP) of wheat @ Rs. 1300/-per 40kg for 2014-15 crop.

171. *Ms. Asyia Naz Tanoli:

Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to statethe steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the Governmentagainst the use of Islamic names for products?

Transferred to cabinet division for answer on next rota Day.

172. *Ms. Asyia Naz Tanoli:

Will the Minister for National Heath Services, Regulations andCoordination be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Private Medical Colleges areimplementing a uniform fee policy of the Ministry; if not thereasons thereof; and

(b) whether it is also a fact that the said Colleges are chargingRs.600000/- per student, annually; if so, the justification thereof?

27

Minister for National Health Services, Regulations andCoordination: (a) The Ministry does not implement fee policy. However, thereare PMDC regulations for fees and refund of fees. (Annex-A).

(b) According to PMDC regulations, medical and dental institutionstraining for MBBS/BDS in the private sector can charge tuition fee six lac perannum per student. (Annex-A, B). Furthermore, fee structure is decided by thePM&DC Executive Committee and recommended to the PM&DC Council forimplementation in the institutions (Annex-C).

(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library).

173. *Mr. Sher Akbar Khan:


(a) the details of new projects of electricity initiated so far by theMinistry in District Buner by the present Government; and

(b) the present status of those projects?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif):

Proposal for bifurcation of 05 Nos. 11KV feeders was approvedout of which 02 Nos. feeders (Salarzai & Dewana Baba) have beencompleted and 02 Nos. new feeders (Elum and Pir Baba) have beenenergized, whereas construction of 11 KV Karakar feeder is underprogress.

Construction work of 11 KV feeders Chazarzai and Chamla havenot yet started.

50 Nos. proposal for LT rehabilitation have been processed underthe head of ELR/DOP and Chain augmentation out of which 07 No.proposals under chain augmentation have been completed.

174. *Mr. Sher Akbar Khan:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state the stepstaken by the Government to replace the deteriorated infrastructureof electricity in District Buner, so far?

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Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): Fiveproposals of 11 KV feeders have been approved while proposals for otheroverloaded feeders are being processed to overcome the low voltage problem ofthe areas.

Similarly L.T. rehabilitation proposal i.e. replacement of over loadedtransformers & up-gradation of existing system is being prepared & processed.

175. *Ms. Shaista Pervaiz:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state: (a) the province-wise total number of functional and non functional

Thermal Power Plants in the country at present;

(b) whether it is a fact that the said Thermal Power Plants havebeen closed since long; if so, the reasons thereof; and

(c) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to make all Thermal Power Plants functional inthe country to over come the short fall of electricity; if so, whenit will be implemented?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a)Requisite detail is attached at Annex-A

(b) NGPS Multan

The units of NGPS multan were commissioned 6 during 1960- 1963.These units have already outlived their useful life and NEPRA, as per AuthorityProposed Modification has excluded these units from the Generation License ofNorthern Power Generation Company Limited Muzaffargarh, being inefficient units.

GTPS Shandara

The units of GTPS Shandara were commissioned during 1966-1969.These units have also outlived their useful life, and are inefficient and uneconomical.However these are kept stand by the system operator due to shortage of gas fuel.

(c) There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to makethese power plants functional.

29

176. *Ms. Shaista Pervaiz:


(a) whether it is a fact that the Prime Minister has announced theSasta Ghar Scheme for the low income Government servants;

(b) if so, the time by which the said scheme will be launched?

Minister for Housing and Works(Mr. Akram Khan Durrani):(a & b) No housing schemes titled “Sasta Ghar Scheme” for the low incomeGovernment Servants has been launched in this Ministry.

177. *Ms. Shahida Akhtar Ali:


(a) whether it is a fact that the Islamabad Electricity SupplyCompany (IESCO) has purchased advance technology of miniSIM cards/mobile phones to improve the meter reading systemand to prevent the overbilling;

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(b) whether it is also a fact that the meter reader will provide pictureof data of meter to data center present and every bill will containon picture of meter reading;

(c) if answer to parts (a) and (b) are in the affirmative, whether theprice of one mobile is Rs.21,000/-; if so, the total number ofmobiles to be given by IESCO to all meter readers alongwiththe total value and the details thereof?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a)Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) is transforming its meter readingsystem from conventional method by introducing technology in meter reading systemto minimize error and public complaints. On directions of NEPRA, meter readingthrough HHU and mobile phones has been started. In Phase-1 100 No. mobilephones have been purchased for urban sub divisions of Islamabad circle.

(b) The process is that after carrying out reading, the meter reader sendsdata of meter along with its picture to lESCO Computer Center (ICC) for billprinting; later on pictures are printed on bills according to data provided by meterreaders. Sample bill is attached (Annex-1).

(c) Mobile phones were purchased through rate contract (Annex-2)signed by Power information Technology Company (PITC) Lahore. Price of 01mobile phone, as per rate contract is PKR 20,000/- inclusive of 16GB Micro SDcard. Hence the price of 100 mobile phones is PKR 2,000,000. The totalrequirement of Mobile sets for IESCO is approximately 1150 costing approximatevalue of PKR 23,000,000/-


178. *Ms. Shahida Akhtar Ali:


(a) whether it is a fact that three units at Muzaffargarh ThermalPower Station have to be closed due to shortage of furnace oil;

(b) whether it is also a fact that the total electricity generation ofthe Muzaffargarh Power Station is 1550 Megawatts (MWs);

(c) if the answers to parts (a) and (b) above are in the affirmative,the shortage of power supply in thousands MWs being faced bythe National Grid System due to the said closure?

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Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) Thisis not a fact that three units of TPS Muzaffargarh have been closed due to shortageof Furnace Oil. The factual status of units of TPS Muzaffargarh is as under:—————————————————————————————————————

No. Units Installed Present RemarkCapacity Capacity(MW) (MW)

—————————————————————————————————————1 Units No. 1 210 180 Units is in operation

2. Units No. 2 210 180 Unit is under Schedule outagefor Annual Boiler Inspetion.

3 Units No. 3 210 180 Unit is under scheduled outagefor major overhauling

4 Units No. 4 320 250 Units is under Forced outagedue to RAH Choking

5 Units No. 5 200 170 Unit is standby.

6. Units No. 6 200 170 Unit is under Forced Outage.—————————————————————————————————————

7 Total 1350 1130—————————————————————————————————————

(b) The installed Capacity of TPS Muzaffargarh is 1350 MW and thepresent generated capacity is 1130 MW (as detailed above).

(c) This part is already covered in above parts.

179. *Ms. Parveen Masood Bhatti:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state the time bywhich the generation of power will be started by the Neelam-JhelumHydro Power Project alongwith the quantity of electricity to begenerated therefrom?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): Theexpected completion date of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project isNovember, 2016. The generation capacity of the project will be 969 MW ofelectricity.

32

180. *Ms. Parveen Masood Bhatti:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state: (a) the time by which 100% loadshedding of electricity will be

controlled in the country; and

(b) the steps taken by the Ministry in this regard uptill now?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) Acopy of Power Balance (demand supply analysis) based on the Generation Additionis attached at Annexure-A, which shows the time by which load shedding will betotally controlled in the country.

(b) In order to eliminate load shedding the Government has adoptedsome immediate measures which include completion of under construction projectson war footing and at the same time has tapped/identified various resources, detailsof which are attached at Annexure-B.


MOHAMMAD RIAZ, Secretary.

ISLAMABAD:The 25th March, 2015.

PCPPI—2400(2015) NA—25-03-2015—650.

1

(20th Session)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT

————

“UNSTARRED QUESTIONS AND THEIR REPLIES”

For Thursday, the 26th March, 2015

21. Mr. Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan:(Deferred on 16-03-2015)

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state whether itis a fact that a number of retired employees are being re-appointedagain in Ministry/attached departments while regular and confirmedemployees are being expelled; if so, the reasons therefor alongwiththe steps being taken or proposed to be taken in this regard?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): No. Itis not a fact that any retired employee has been re-appointed or any regular andconfirmed employee has been expelled in the M/o Water and Power and its attacheddepartments.

2. Ms. Nighat Parveen Mir:(Deferred on 16-03-2015)

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state whether itis a fact that the PC-1 of the Neelam Jhelum Hydro Power Projecthas been revised; if so, the reasons alongwith the comparison of oldand new cost thereof?

Reply not received.

4. Ms. Khalida Mansoor:(Deferred on 16-03-2015)


(a) whether salaries and incentives are being paid to IESCO employees as admissible to other companies including OGDCL;if not, the reasons thereof; and

2

(b) the time by which the incentives as admissible to OGDCL willbe paid to the employees of IESCO too?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a)IESCO is a Public Limited Company in the Securities & Exchange Commissionof Pakistan, but has not floated its shares on Stock Exchange.

(b) No time frame can be given as different stakeholders have their ownreservations about its privatisation/ listing on Stock Exchange and floating of sharesto the public, depending upon decision/ policy of the Government of Pakistan.

33. Ms. Nighat Parveen Mir:


(a) the province-wise Power Projects that are under constructionin the country at present alongwith their dates of commencementand completion;

(b) the estimated cost of the said projects; and

(c) the total energy will be added in the national grid therefrom?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) &(b) The details of province-wise under construction Hydel, Thermal andRenewable Power Projects alongwith their dates of commencement, completion,estimated cost and total energy is as under:—

4

34. Ms. Belum Hasnain:

Will the Minister for Industries and Production be pleased to statefields/types and location-wise sick industrial units in the country atpresent?

Reply not received.

35. Syed Waseem Hussain:


(a) whether it is a fact that the Federal Government hospitals arefunctioning in Sindh; if so, the locations thereof; and

(b) whether medical facilities are available in said hospitals; if not,the reasons thereof?

Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and

Coordination: (a) After the 18th Amendment all the hospitals which werefunctioning under Federal government were handed over to the respective ProvincialGovernment including Sindh.

(b) Now Government of Sindh is responsible for medical facilitiesavailable in the hospitals which have been handed over to them by the FederalGovernment.

36. Shazia Marri:

Will the Minister for Water and Power be pleased to state the year-wise electricity transmission losses caused to the Ministry/NationalExchequer during the last five years?

Reply not received.

37. Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub:

Will the Minister for National Food Security and Research be pleasedto state the total number of posts lying vacant in the NationalAgricultural Research Centre, the Pakistan Agricultural ResearchCouncil and in the Ministry at present alongwith the details thereof?

5

Minister for National Food Security and Research (Mr. SikandarHayat Khan Bosan): 12 posts in Ministry of National Food Security & Research(Main) & 189 posts in NARC & PARC (Total 201) are lying vacant. The detailsare as under:—

6

38. Ms. Khalida Mansoor:

Will the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony bepleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Ministry to prepare subject wise list oftitles of all laws and rules made thereunder with reference tobusiness allocated to it and its attached departments under theRules of Business, 1973;

(b) the subject-wise details thereof;

(c) whether steps have been taken by the Ministry to consolidateand amend the said laws and rules to keep pace with changes inthe society, if so, the details; if not, the reasons thereof;

(d) the steps taken by the Ministry to determine the anomalies,inconsistencies and difficulties in the administration of said lawsand rules; and

(e) the details of Officers/Branches designated therefor?

7

Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (SardarMuhammad Yousaf): (a) & (b) The detail of subject wise titles of all laws andrules as per functions allocated under the Rules of Business, 1973 to Ministry ofReligious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony are as under:—

(1) LAWS RELATED TO INTER-FAITH HARMONY:

Under Serial 17 - 22 of Rules of Business, 1973, following laws and rulesare related to minorities:—

(i) Protection of Communal Properties of Minorities Ordinance, 2001notified vide No. 2(1)/2002-Pub dated 22-01-2002 (Annex-A).

(ii) Protection of Communal Properties of Minorities Rules, 2012 notifiedvide SRO No. 222(1)/2012 dated 01-03-2012 (Annex-B).

(iii) Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, 1975.Act No. XIII of 1975. (Annex-C).

(2) LAWS RELATED TO ERROR FREE AND EXACT PRINTINGAND PUBLISHING OF THE HOLY QURAN:

Under Serial No. 7 of Rules of Business, 1973, the following laws / ruleshave been enacted by R&R Wing:—

(i) Publication of the Holy Quran (Elimination of Printing and RecordingErrors) Act 1973.

(ii) Publication of the Holy Quran (Elimination of Printing and RecordingErrors) Rules 1973.

(3) LAWS RELATED TO OBSERVATION OF ISLAMIC MORALSTANDARDS:

Under Serial No. 12 of Rules of Business, 1973, the following laws / ruleshave been enacted by R&R Wing:

(i) The Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance, 1981.

8

(ii) The Ehtram-e-Ramazan Rules, 1981.

(iii) The Enforcement of Shariat Act, 1991.

(4) LAWS RELATED TO MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND INFANTS:

Under Serial No. 14 of Rules of Business, 1973, the following laws / ruleshave been enacted by R&R Wing:—

(i) Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961.

(ii) Rules under Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961.

(iii) Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976.

(iv) Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Rules, 1976.

(v) The Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Display andWasteful Expenses) Ordinance, 2000.

(vi) Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939.

(vii) Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929.

(viii) Guardians and Ward Act, 1890.

(5) LAWS RELATED TO COLLECTION OF ZAKAT IN ICT:

Under Serial No. 16 of Rules of Business, 1973, the following laws / ruleshave been enacted by Zakat Cell:—

Zakat & Ushr Ordinance, 1980.

(6) MISCELLANEOUS LAWS UNDER THE MINISTRY:

Under Serial No. 8, 10 & 13 of Rules of Business, 1973, the followinglaws / rules have been enacted by Dawah & Ziarat Wing:

(i) PMEB Ordinance - 2001 (Annex -D).

(ii) Criteria for Selection of Huffaz and Qurrah (Annex -E).

9

(c) The following committee has been constituted to review the laws,particularly in view of abolishment of concurrent list and suggest amendments asrequired:

1. Joint Secretary (Admin) Chairman

2. Director General, Research & Reference (R&R) Member

3. Director, (R&R) Member

4. Deputy Director, (R&R) Member

The above committee will co-opt Joint Secretaries of each wing foridentifying anomalies in laws under their administration.

(d) Further action will be taken on the recommendations of the committeementioned in para (C) above.

(e) The following officers are designated:

1. Senior Joint Secretary (Interfaith Harmony )

2. Joint Secretary (Dawah & Ziarat)

3. Joint Secretary (Zakat)

4. Director General, Research & Reference (R&R)


39. Ms. Khalida Mansoor:

Will the Minister for Water and Power pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Ministry to prepare subject wise list oftitles of all laws and rules made thereunder with reference tobusiness allocated to it and its attached departments under theRules of Business, 1973;

(b) the subject-wise details thereof;

10

(c) whether steps have been taken by the Ministry to consolidateand amend the said laws and rules to keep pace with changes inthe society, if so, the details; if not, the reasons thereof;

(d) the steps taken by the Ministry to determine the anomalies,inconsistencies and difficulties in the administration of said lawsand rules; and

(e) the details of Officers/Branches designated therefor?

Reply not received.

40. Mr. Waseem Akhtar Shaikh:


(a) the total number of persons living in the WAPDA Staff College,Sector H-8, Islamabad alongwith the details thereof; and

(b) whether it is a fact that illegal/un-authorized persons are livingin the said College; if so, the steps being taken in this regard?

Minister for Water and Power (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) 39persons are residing with family in 39 flats and one flat has been allotted to fiveemployees on single seat basis. The detail is attached at Annex-A.

(b) No illegal/un-authorized person is living in WAPDA AdministrativeStaff College, Islamabad.

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Annex-A

PCPPI—2400(2015) NA—25-03-2015—650.

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