Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati has said Pakistan Railways will be made a profitable entity under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Responding to the queries of Senators during question hour in the Senate on Thursday, he said a business plan for Pakistan Railways is being prepared. He said he has also approached the provincial governments to recover the outstanding amount payable to Pakistan Railways. He regretted that political appointments were made in the organization in the past.

The Minister for Railways said land of Pakistan Railways worth about ten billion rupees has been retrieved from the land mafia over the last one month.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said a plan has been made to make Pakistan Television (PTV) a financially viable institution. He said our efforts are to help the PTV stand on its own feet and revive its old glory.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the house that legislation has been done for the protection of rights of children. He said a National Commission has been constituted to take necessary steps for the protection of rights of children. He said Islamabad Capital Territory Administration will soon carry out a child labour survey with the help of UNICEF.

The house today passed The Senate Secretariat Services Amendment Bill 2021.

It was moved by Leader of Opposition Raja Zafar-ul-Haq.

Responding to the points of PPP leader Mian Raza Rabbani, Leader of House Shahzad Waseem said it is utmost effort of the present government to bring improvement and transparency in the Senate elections. He lamented the use of malpractices in the polls of the upper house. He said we should leave behind good traditions and legislation to improve the image of the parliament.

Sherry Rehman of PPP said they also want transparency in the Senate polls. She said the government should have taken the opposition into confidence regarding the constitutional amendment for open balloting.

Faisal Javed of PTI in his remarks reminded the PPP and the PML (N) of the commitment they made in the Charter of Democracy (COD) for open balloting in the Senate polls. He said the opposition should support the government on legislation of public interest.

The house today held discussion on the President’s address to the joint sitting of the parliament.

Mohsin Aziz said the President made a very balanced speech and touched different aspects including the economy.

Abdul Qayyum said the President is the symbol of federation and his conduct should be impartial one.

Kabir Muhammad Shahi said class based education system should be done away with and focus should be given to provide quality education to all.

Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was critical of the government for increasing the prices of petroleum products.

The house has now been prorogued.