Efforts underway to make Pakistan self-reliance in defence production: NA

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday informed the National Assembly that defence production industry was fulfiling 80 percent demand of the armed forces and efforts were being made to make the country self-sufficient in defence production.

Replying to a question, the minister said that the ministry is promoting indigenous production of local defence industry through its Defence Production Establishments (DPEs), and is engaged in various development projects. The main achievements included Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POFs), Heavy Industry Taxila, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), National Radio Telecommunication Company (NRTC),Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW), self-reliance and indigenisation and Installation of Ship Lift and Transfer System (SL&TS).

Regarding PAC, he said it is the leading aviation industry of the country. Its products are qualified as per modern aerospace and avionics international standards and displayed in almost every major international air show and exhibitions, he informed the NA. He said KS & EW was placed under Ministry of Defence Production in 2006. Since then, the PN orders are being regularly awarded to KS & EW. Presently, a mega project of construction of 17,000 Tonnes Fleet Tanker is in progress, he told.

Economic Performance: The National Assembly on Thursday was informed that the economy of the country performed well during the current year, though there were some less performing sectors, as reported by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Responding to calling attention notice regarding the weaknesses in the economy of Pakistan as pointed out by SBP, Parliamentary Finance Secretary Rana Afzal told the House that the report had been both critical and supportive of economic performance of the country.

“While emerging economies are facing slower economic growth, Pakistan’s economy did reasonably well in the current fiscal year. GDP growth posted a marginal increase over last year, whereas key macroeconomic indicators, like inflation, fiscal balance and current account balance, recorded improvements,” said Rana quoting SBP report.

He said that several economic indicators had witnessed positive growth, as remittances and foreign exchange reserves had gone up and there had been increase in foreign financial assistance and inflation was under control. He said that several sectors of economy including agriculture had performed positively.

To a question on the per-capita debt, the psecretary said that the per capita income had increased from $1,333 in 2013 to $1,384 in 2014, and to $1,500 current year. He said that it had been the commitment of the Finance Ministry to reduce debt to GDP ratio and bring it to the required level. Rana said that the government had passed on the relief of declining oil prices in the international market to the people.

NAB recovers Rs 7,504m: The National Assembly was apprised that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had recovered Rs 7,504.5 million in corruption cases since July 2013 to November 2015.

Replying to a question on behalf of Minister for Law and Justice, Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid said that the NAB initiated 1,674 inquires in corruption cases during the said period.

In response to a question, the minister said that as many as 2,113 inquiries were authorised in cases of mismanagement, irregularity and corruption during the last four years, and around 2,250 cases were also pending in various courts. He said that the government has zero tolerance policy for corruption and it was also a part of PML-N manifesto.

Vacant posts of judges in IHC: Minister for Law and Justice Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday said that the sanctioned strength of judges in the Islamabad High Court is seven while two posts of judges are vacant since 2011.

In a written reply to a question of Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak about details of posts of judges laying vacant in the Islamabad High Court, the minister said that two nominations are under consideration by the judicial commission for appointment as judges of the IHC.

Work on CPEC underway: State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed on Thursday apprised the National Assembly that the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route from Khunjrab to Gwadar is underway, adding that the Northern Alignment (Khunjerab - Raikot Highway (335-km) had already been constructed with Chinese assistance. Replying to various questions, he said the CPEC route consisted of a network of highways and motorways and the government has allocated amounts for its various alignments including northern, eastern and western in the Public Sector Development Programmes (PSDP) 2015-16.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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