Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11:42:07 pm

Govt taking steps for revival of sick industrial units, NA told
January 18, 2018

Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan has said that the government is taking various steps for revival of sick industrial units in the country.

Responding to a question during the Question Hour in the National Assembly on Wednesday, he said various concessions are available to local manufacturers including Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Textile Industry, Solar Sector, Aviation, Mining and Agro-based Industries.

He said that regulatory duty has also been levied on import of many items which are locally manufactured to encourage the local industry.

To a question, he said that a uniform industrial policy has been adopted and there is no discrimination or special treatment with any area of the country.

The Minister of State said the government is also taking measures to reduce the cost of doing business in Pakistan.

Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan said the Prime Minister will announce a comprehensive package in two or three weeks regarding industrial refunds.

He said the government has broken the backbone of terrorists which made the country a favourite destination of foreign investment.

Responding to another question, Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan informed the House that the government has taken various steps to get information regarding ill-gotten money stashed in foreign banks.

He said from January this year, we will be getting and exchanging information regarding accounts of Pakistani national in Swiss Banks.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, Minister of State for Finance said that BISP is conducting a nationwide survey to update the National Socio Economic Registry, after which new cards will be issued to the eligible beneficiaries.

Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan said that currently the survey is in pilot phase and after its completion, the next phase of National Rollout will begin. He said so far the survey in 14 districts of Pakistan has been completed. He said a third party evaluation will be done to check any discrepancy in the survey.

The House today passed three bills namely "The Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017", "The Marine Insurance Bill 2017" and "The Corporate Rehabilitation Bill 2017".                                                                                                                          

The House started debate today on the situation arising out of rape and brutal murder of seven year old girl Zainab in Kasur.

Taking part in the discussion, Sahibzada Yaqoob urged the government to take steps to prevent recurring of such incidents in future.

Shahida Rehmani stressed the need for stringent legislation and effective implementation of laws to discourage such incidents.

Dr Fauzia Hameed said that rape cases should be heard in anti-terrorism courts.

Dr Muhammad Afzal Dhandla said that politics should not be done on such incidents.

The House has now been adjourned to meet again tomorrow at 10:30 am.