Contracts being negotiated with 8 IPPs, NA told

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Friday told the National Assembly that contracts with five independent power producers (IPPs) have been terminated, while contracts have been negotiated with eight IPPs which would help bring down the electricity prices.

Responding to a calling attention notice, the minister said the government is focusing on bringing down the electricity tariff. He pointed out that additional subsidy was given to power consumers during this summer season. Tarar said the government was taking all possible measures to ensure a drug-free society in the country. He said the Anti-Narcotics Force regularly conducts raids against drugs traffickers.

He, however, urged parents and administration of educational institutions to keep a vigilant eye to protect children from the menace of narcotics. Stressing the need to launch an awareness campaign in the media to counter narcotics, Tarar said the government has allocated funds to create awareness among masses about the menace of drugs through films and dramas.

Tarar further informed the House that Pakistan has bilateral engagements with counter-narcotics authorities of partner countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Iran.

He said that 39 Memorandums of Understanding have been signed for cooperation with other countries to curb narcotics while MoUs with 29 countries are under process or under revision. Replying to another question, he said a smart city App in the name of “My Islamabad” is being launched to provide all kinds of facilities to the citizens on a touch of a button.

Answering a question, Attaullah Tarar said the feeder route F-11 will start from I-16 to N-5 Metro Station and is expected to be operational by January next year. This will connect I-16 to Islamabad and Rawalpindi through Orange Line and Red Line Metro Bus services.

Meanwhile, the government introduced a bill in the National Assembly with an objective to allow a large number of Pakistani diaspora to resume their Pakistani citizenship. The Pakistan Citizen (Amendment) Bill 2024, which, on introduction, was referred the standing committee concerned, seeks amendment to Section 14-A of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951.

The statement of objects and reasons of the bill says that large number of Pakistani Diaspora are complaining that they had to renounce their Pakistani citizenship as a condition for acquiring citizenship of a foreign country of residence or stay.

It says that whenever such countries are entering into dual nationality arrangements with the Government of Pakistan, there is no provision within Pakistan Citizenship Act I95l which allows resumption of Pakistan citizenship.

Therefore, amendments have been proposed in the Act which would allow Pakistani Diaspora to resume their Pakistani Citizenship. In the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 (II of 1951), in Section 74A, after sub-section (2), a sub-section has been added which says that notification by the federal government in the official Gazette under sub-section (3) of section 14, any person who has renounced citizenship of Pakistan under sub-section (1). may resume citizenship of Pakistan by making a declaration in the prescribed manner and upon making of declaration he may thereupon become a citizen of Pakistan.

Where declaration under sub-section (3) is made by a person, every minor child of such person whose citizenship has ceased under sub-section (2) may thereupon become a citizen of Pakistan. The government also introduced the Naturalization (Amendment) Bill 2024 which seeks amendment in the Naturalization Act 1926 which pertains to issuance of Naturalization Certificate and other related.

In all sections of the Naturalization Act 1926, the word ‘Federal Government’ has been replaced with the ‘Secretary administrative division’. The information minister introduced both the bills in the House.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to reaffirm Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Kashmiris in their struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam presented the resolution on the 77th anniversary of the Indian forces invasion of Kashmir on 27th of October 1947, expressing solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on “Black Day.”

It said that lasting peace and stability in South Asia are contingent upon the final resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The House reiterated its rejection of India’s continued efforts to change the internationally recognised disputed status of the IIOJK, its demographic structure, and its political landscape. The resolution also condemned the prolonged detention of thousands of political activists and the banning of several Kashmiri political parties.

The House also observed that farcical elections in the IIOJK cannot be a substitute for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. The resolution demanded India to improve the human rights situation in the IIOJK, release all political prisoners, lift a ban on political parties, revoke draconian laws and implement the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir.

In his address, Engineer Amir Muqam underscored the global recognition of the Kashmiris’ struggle, which has been marked by immense sacrifices. He stated that approximately 96,000 Kashmiris have been martyred, and over 100,000 homes have been destroyed in the freedom struggle.

The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s ongoing political, moral, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people and lauded the prime minister’s efforts at the UN General Assembly, where the cases of both Kashmiris and Palestinians were advocated.

Meanwhile, responding to a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination Kiran Dar said the government is committed to promote game of hockey in the country. She said the government provides financial grants to the Pakistan Hockey Federation for the promotion of the game.

The parliamentary secretary said revival of departmental sports is a priority to attract new talent towards sports to ventilate the financial sufferings of sports persons. She added departments like Pakistan Armed Forces, HEC, Wapda, Railways, FBR, ZTBL and police have been requested to provide quota in jobs to sportsmen.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly offered Fateha prayers for the deceased relatives of the MNAs led by MNA Nasim Ali Shah.

The 10th National Assembly session’s eighth meeting commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran with the member panel of chairpersons, Shehla Raza in the chair. The Fateha was offered the young son of MNA Raana Ansar who passed away in a road accident and the late father of MNA Raza Hayat Heraj.