Azam Tarar requests Gandapur to collaborate with Kundi on Kurrum crisis

Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasised the importance of provincial autonomy and urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, to collaborate with Governor Faisal Kundi on resolving the Kurram crisis.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the law minister addressed the National Assembly on Wednesday and assured the House that his government gives priority and respect to provincial autonomy.

Speaking in the lower house, Azam Tarar said maintaining law and order is a provincial matter, and the federal government intervenes only when assistance is requested by the province.

He mentioned that Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has also been directed to stay in contact with the provincial government to resolve the Kurrum crisis. 

However, the federal law minister expressed concern that while KP Governor Faisal Kundi convened an All-Parties Conference (APC) on the Kurram crisis, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur did not attend.

The law minister assured the House that he would bring Kurram-related concerns to the notice of the prime minister and interior minister. 

He also called on the KP government to take serious measures to address the deteriorating situation in Kurram.

Responding to a separate issue, Tarar assured Chief Minister Gandapur that action would be taken regarding the incident involving his guard at the Foreign Office. 

Additionally, he categorically stated that strict action will be taken against those who took the law into their hands on November 26 during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest rally.

Gwadar Port fully operational

The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that Gwadar Port is currently fully operational, equipped to handle general cargo, containers, and other operations.

Responding to a question during the Question Hour, Parliamentary Secretary Planning Development and Special Initiatives Wajiha Qamar said the Port accommodates vessels of up to 50,000 DWT and possesses the requisite infrastructure to support bulk cargo and container handling efficiently. 

She said multiple shipments under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement have been successfully processed.

Replying to another question, Parliamentary Secretary Finance Saad Waseem Sheikh said Personal Income Tax rate for the salaried class has not been increased in the current fiscal year budget.

To a question, Parliamentary Secretary Commerce Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti expressed the hope that rice exports can achieve the mark of five billion dollars during this fiscal year.

He said Pakistan’s rice exports reached a notable 3.8 billion dollars in last fiscal year, rising from 2.1 billion dollars in 2022-23.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti said from July to October this year, the grand total of rice exports saw an approximate 48.81 percent increase in value and a 43.77 percent rise in quantity as compared to the same period in 2023-24.

Replying to a Calling Attention Notice, Parliamentary Secretary Cabinet Division Sajid Mehdi said the government is working on various measures, including legislation, to check spread of fake news on social media platforms.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a Task Force with the aim to curb fake news on social media.

“The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2024” and “The Privatization Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024” were introduced in the House.

The House will not meet on Thursday at eleven in the morning.

Two bills introduced in NA
The National Assembly witnessed the introduction of two important bills, which were subsequently referred to the relevant committees for further deliberation.

The bills presented in the House include a bill to further amend the Civil Servants Act, 1973 [The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2024] and a bill to amend the Privatization Commission Ordinance, 2000 [The Privatization Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024].

Additionally, the Annual Report of the National Economic Council (NEC) for the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 was laid before the House, as mandated by Clause (5) of Article 156 of the Constitution.

Rs466m Chitral road contract awarded
Parliamentary Secretary for Communications, Gul Asghar Khan, informed the National Assembly that a contract worth Rs466 million has been awarded for the maintenance of the Chakdara to Chitral road.

Responding to a calling attention notice regarding the road’s dilapidated condition, he said that work on the road’s dualization is also underway.

He mentioned that the Korein Bank would provide a loan for the project, which has been divided into three sections. 

The road’s completion will be financed through both local and foreign funding sources.

Reporter: Usman Khan