The Senate was informed today that no request has so far been received to handover Dr Shakeel Afridi to the United States and no external pressure will be accepted in this regard.

Responding to a question during Question Hour, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi said the government would not make any compromise on national security and every decision or initiative will be taken indigenously to safeguard the national interest.

Replying to another question, the Minister of State said for the first time in the history of Pakistan the government is working on policy to mainstream the local arms manufacturers.

He said under this policy products of local manufactures will be marketed in and outside Pakistan.

The Minister of State also informed the House that a policy is being evolved for uniform number plates of vehicles.

Responding to a question, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said plan to upgrade rail track from Karachi to Peshawar via Lahore in next five years has been finalized.

He said the Main Line-1 from Karachi to Peshawar via Lahore except Khanewal-Shor Kot-Faisalabad-Shahdara Section will be upgraded under CPEC project.

He said railway track from Lahore to Peshawar via Rawalpindi will be dualised in the next five years.

Responding to a question, Shehryar Afridi said all possible efforts are being made to ensure that quality of edible items and food products is maintained by restaurants in Islamabad strictly in accordance with prescribed standard.

He said fines have been imposed more than one hundred food outlets and restaurants in the federal capital for not following set rules.

He said regular and strict inspections are being ensured to check quality and prices of food items being sold in Islamabad.

The Minister of State said that a mega project regarding provision of clean drinking water will be unveiled soon.

Responding to a point of order raised by Hasil Bizinjo, Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwala said he has written a letter to Chairman NAB that consent of Senate Secretariat should be sought before summoning any Parliamentarian.

He said there should be a proper mechanism if an agency is required to call a Parliamentarian.

He said media trial of Parliamentarians should be avoided.

Responding to points of order in the House, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said all possible measures are being taken to fulfil the commitments made with the people of erstwhile FATA.

He said 1.35 billion rupees will soon be released under Agency Development Fund.

He said FBR has taken steps regarding tax exemptions announced for the tribal people.

Ali Muhammad Khan said election will be held in tribal districts next year to elect sixteen members for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from the area.

Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Mir Kabeer Ahmed and others regarding shortage of gas supply in Sindh and Balochistan, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ghulam Sarwar Khan said there is no curtailment of gas to domestic consumers and general industry in Sindh.

He said at present CNG sector is fully operational in Sindh. He said the only sufferer is captive industry and it has been decided that Sui Southern Gas Company will provide fifty percent indigenous gas of Sindh while rest will be made available from other sources.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan said total production of Pakistan’s petroleum production stands at fifteen percent, while eighty five percent of the commodity is imported.

He said total production of all the four provinces is three thousand five hundred MMCFD, while LNG of eight hundred MMCFD is imported.

He said Punjab produces one hundred fourteen MMCFD, Sindh two thousand three hundred MMCFD, Balochistan six hundred eighty MMCFD, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa four hundred five MMCFD.

The Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan has also taken notice of the issue and an inquiry is also underway in this regard

The Chair referred the matter to concerned Standing Committee for further deliberations.

The House will now meet again tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.