Workers Welfare Fund holds Rs208bn, NA told

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that Rs208.551 billion are available in the Workers Welfare Fund, which is maintained by the AGPR, and Rs48.386 billion are available in the Federal Consolidated Fund with the Finance Division.

In a written reply to Tahira Aurangzeb, the ministry stated that under the Workers Welfare Fund Ordinance, 1971, two percent of the income of industrial establishments with an annual income of not less than Rs500,000 is to be collected by the FBR and maintained by the Finance Division and AGPR. Additionally, under the Companies Profit (Worker Participation) Act, 1968, any leftover amount from the five percent of profit after distribution among eligible workers is directly transferred to the WWF Trust Fund Account, maintained by the AGPR.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar informed the National Assembly that Pakistan operates 93 passport offices in various countries but does not have any passport offices in Afghanistan. Responding to a question by Tahira Aurangzeb, who inquired about the locations of Pakistani passport offices abroad, Attaullah Tarar, who was answering on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, said that passport offices in other countries are established in proportion to their respective Pakistani population.

In response to another question, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar shared that efforts are underway to revamp the state-run TV to transform it into a vibrant and profitable media organisation. He emphasized the government’s commitment to making state-run TV profitable, saying that the minimum wage policy of Rs37,000 has been implemented. A case has been submitted to the state-run TV Board of Directors for formal approval of this policy.

The federal minister also mentioned that anchors have been hired from the private sector to refresh PTV’s image and ensure fair coverage, including for the opposition. He criticised the past practices where political recruitments resulted in individuals drawing salaries without performing any work. Tarar also highlighted the importance of launching an English-language channel ahead of the upcoming SCO Summit in Pakistan. In a written response to a question from Wajiha Qamar, the Ministry of Narcotics Control informed the National Assembly that the Anti-Narcotics Force had registered 1,347 cases, made 1,385 arrests, and seized 112.807 tons of various drugs in 2024.