Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan has informed the Senate that nine Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would be set up including in Bostan (Balochistan) under the umbrella of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Responding to various questions during question hour, the minister said a feasibility report for establishing SEZ in Bostan had already been received and he has no information about shifting of proposed SEZ in Bostan to Lasbila.

He said Board of Investment, being the secretariat of Industrial cooperation from Pakistan side and being the Secretariat of the Approvals Committee and Board of Approvals under SEZ Act 2012, provided every possible support and hand holding to the provincial governments, for early development of their SEZ.

He said it was significant to mention that exact date and time for the start of work in the SEZ Bostan can only be ascertained after the receipt of SEZ application from the Government of Balochistan to BOI.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati told the House during Question Hour that net profit of electricity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amounting to 136 billion rupees has been paid to the province.

He said that remaining 37 billion rupees will be paid in coming months.

Responding to another question, the Minister said Neelum-Jhelum surcharge will end on 30th of June this year.

Minster for Power Omer Ayub said the government is committed to enhance production of renewable energy to twenty percent of the energy mix till 2025.

He said with the increase of production of renewable energy the government will bring down the prices.

To another question regarding oil and gas exploration companies working in Sindh, the Minister told the House that a total of seventeen exploration and production companies are working in Sindh.

He said since August last year twelve exploration wells have been drilled in the province.

The Minister said royalty and windfall levy collected during last five years from the oil reserves discovered in the country is 12.7 million rupees.

The Senate today passed a resolution reaffirming its strong commitment to the freedom of press and expression.

The resolution, moved by Leader of House Shibli Faraz on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day reiterated that access to transparent and reliable information is the corner stone to build fair and impartial institutions and hold leaders accountable.

The resolution paid salutes to the media martyrs who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The House through its resolution affirmed its complete solidarity and support to the media workers.

Earlier, the chair in his remarks paid tributes to the services of media persons for the nation.

The House will now meet on Monday at 2 pm.