*ms. shagufta jumani(ii) bisp board has approved the expansion of waseela-e-taleem (cct on primary...

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT

————

“QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES”

to be asked at a sitting of the National Assembly to be held on

Friday, the 13th December, 2019

119. *Ms. Shagufta Jumani: (Deferred during 16th Session)

Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision be pleased to state:

(a) the targets set under Ehsas Program;

(b) the budget allocated, released and utilized so far alongwithprovince-wise break-up of the utilization;

(c) are there any periodic targets and objectives set out to evaluatechange in lives of targeted segment of the society; if so, thedetails thereof; and

(d) what steps are being taken the Government to make the programmore beneficial by formulating a comprehensive planning withthe collaboration of provinces?

Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision: Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund:

(a) The program targets and goals which are linked with the four pillarsand 134 policy level initiatives are as follow:——————————————————————————————

Program Goals Targets

——————————————————————————————Enabling environment and safety net for At least 10 million familiesfamilies

Financial access to health care for families 10 million families

——————————————————————————————

(17th Session)

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——————————————————————————————Program Goals Targets

——————————————————————————————Scholarship & incentives for boys and girls 5 million students (50% girls)of the low-income families

Livelihood opportunities for the 3.8 million families will receivedisadvantage community livelihood opportunities

Financial & digital inclusion initiatives 7 million individuals (90% women)

——————————————————————————————Benazir Income Support Programme:

BISP currently is disbursing UCT to 5.02 million beneficiaries across thecountry. During the financial year 2018-19 an amount of Rs. 104.6 billion wasdisbursed to eligible beneficiaries.

Ehsaas targets to the extent of BISP are:

(i) CCT amount for girl students has been increased from Rs. 750 toRs. 1,000 (paid quarterly in 50 districts)

(ii) BISP Board has approved the expansion of Waseela-e-Taleem(CCT on primary education) in 50 more districts across the country.Other targets of the Program to the extent of BISP include:

(iii) Scholarship and education incentive for 5 million students (50% girls).

(iv) Financial and digital inclusion for 7 million individuals (90% women).

(v) Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarships for 50,000 students throughHEC.

Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal

PBM has established 52 Dar-ul-Ehsaas (DuEs) up till now out of which14 DuEs have been established under Ehsaas Program while the target is toestablish 100 Dar-ul-Ehsaas (DuEs) under Ehsaas Program. The remaining 86DuEs will be established in phase manners subject to the availability of funds /budget.

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(b) Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund:

The funds allocated are given in the below table.

The budget allocated, released and utilized so far alongwithprovince-wise break-up of the utilization(Annex-A)

Benazir Income Support Programme:

BISP is a national program and does not have province wise break upand utilization of Ehsaas budget. Total budget for BISP for financial year 2018-19is Rs. 180 billion out of which Rs.35.1 billion has been released (as of 12.11.19).

Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal:

Total Allocation (Rs. in million) 5,653.000Budget received for 2 quarters 2,261.200Total expenditure up to 13-11-2019 1, 889.082Balance of assignment account 372.118Administrative and Salary Exp. for Nov.and Dec.-2019 326.000Balance of assignment account 46.118

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Province-wise break-up of the utilization(Annex-B)

(c) Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund:

The National Poverty Graduation Initiative (NPGI) is part of theEhsaas Strategy. It aims to graduate the ultra and vulnerable poor households outof poverty and set them on a course of economic and social prosperity, Itscomponents include (i) Asset Transfers (ii) Vocational and Skills Training and(iii) Interest Free Loans (IFL) to make the assets productive.

The graduation initiative aims to reduce dependence of the population atthe bottom of the pyramid on government- led social safety nets (BISP, PakistanBaitul Mal & Zakat) and bring this segment of population into the mainstream ofeconomic development and financial inclusion.

National Poverty Graduation Program (NPGP): The government inaddition to its own funding, is partnering with the International Fund for AgricultureDevelopment (IFAD). The IFAD funded project “National Poverty GraduationProgram (NPGP)” will be implemented by Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund(PPAF). Periodic targets of NPGP are given as follow:

Table!: Annual Targets of the National Poverty Graduation Program (NPGP)

——————————————————————————————Description 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23

——————————————————————————————Asset Transfer (Tangible and 53,947 71,636 51,294 -Intangible

Training of livelihood and interest 87,31 l 129,605 103,780 15,594

free loan beneficiaries

——————————————————————————————Interest Free Loan (IFL) Program: This program is the major component of

the initiative being implemented by PPAF through the Partner Organizations (POs).The range of interest free loans is PKR 20,000 — Rs.75,000, As many as3.8 million interest free loans will be provided (80,000 loans a month for the next4 years) to 2.28 million households.

Table 2: Tentative Annually targets of Interest Free Loan Program under Ehsaas—————————————————————————————————————

Description 2019-20 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-23—————————————————————————————————————

Number of Interest free Loans 960,000 960,000 960,000 96,0000

will be Disbursed to borrowers

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To the extent of BISP, three rounds of impact evaluation studies havebeen conducted by reputed third party firm in the year 2013, 2014 and 2016 toassess Program’s impact on lives of ultra-poor. These reports are available onBISP website.


To evaluate change in lives of targeted segment of the society PakistanBait-ul Mal is running 157 Women Empowerment Centres (WECs), 52 Dar-ul-Ehsaas(s), 01 Ehsaas Kada (Shelter home for homeless senior citizens) and 159Schools for Rehabilitation of Child Labour (SRCL) to target deprived segment ofthe society These projects are being run to achieve the objectives of Ehsaas Programi.e. to reduce inequality, invest in people and uplift lagging district. These projectsare being scale up in phase manners in the light of provision of the budget byFedera Government.

(d) Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund:

The main steps taken by the current government to strengthen the socialsafety net are as follow:

• Increased spending on social safety net• Enhanced scope and coverage of safety nets• Strong focus on governance of institutions implementing safety

net porgrammes;• Development of the new national socio-economic database to

enable precise targeting;• Systems building for efficiency and integrity, and• One-Window Ehsaas program to support the disadvantaged and

marginalized communities


BISP is planning to improve the monitoring of its Wassela-e-TaleemProgramme (Conditional Cash Transfers for improving enrollment and attendanceof primary school children) with the involvement of the provinces. Moreover. BISPis also planning to involve the provinces in the implementation of a nutritionconditional cash transfer programme

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Different Working Groups are formulated comprising of members from allprovinces to revisit existing policies of DuEs, WECs and SRCL and to bringimprovements, upsealing, rebranding, and revamping & value addition therein.

Management in consultation with Provisional / Regional Directorates isalso focusing on simplifying the existing procedures of providing facilities of health,education, assistive tools for disabled persons, under Individual Financial Assistance(IFA).

(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)

127. *Ms. Maryam Aurangzaib: (Deferred during 16th Session)

Will the Minister for Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

(a) the amount earned by PTV and Radio Pakistan during the lastyear; and

(b) the expenditure made by PTV and Radio Pakistan during thesaid period with department wise breakup?

Minister for Information and Broadcasting: (a)

Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC)

The detail of earning by PTVC is as below:

(Rs. in Million)——————————————————————————————

Particular Amount

——————————————————————————————Advertising Income 3,101.621TV Fee 7,961.068

Grand in Aid from Federal GovernmentAmount Received on technical facility to AJK TV 140.940

Amount Received on account of recurringexpenditure PTV Multan 126.000

——————————————————————————————

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——————————————————————————————Particular Amount

——————————————————————————————Amount Received on account of recurringexpenditure PTV World 99.000 365.940

Other Misc IncomeIncome From PTV Prog. Sales I.R DIV 15.9124Income From Commercial Production 2.3670Income From Global TV 11.3056Income from Sale of Scrap and Useless Stores 1.5712Profit or Loss on Sale of Assets 0.8567Profit or Loss on Sale of Non Fixed Assets 1.4575Interest on Local Deposits 8.3216Interest on PTV Loan to Staff 1.0488Agriculture Income on Land Use 0.9011Rental income from Telecom Companies 17.6099Miscellaneous Receipt 45.2887Income from Services to Outside Agencies 0.7275Income from Investment of Contributory PensionFund 10.2864Income from Investment in National SavingSchemes 4.8495Income from Investment in BANKS 0.1548 132.6586

Total 11,561.288

——————————————————————————————Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)

Total income (Advertisement & Miscellaneous Income) earned by RadioPakistan (PBC) during the last year 2018-19 is as under:

Rupees in million——————————————————————————————

Head of Income Amount——————————————————————————————

Grant-in-Aid from Federal Government 5,249.768

Advertisement Income 263.600

Miscellaneous Income 35.515

——————————————————————————————Total: 5,548.883

——————————————————————————————

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(b) The expenditure incurred by PTV during the last financial year withhead wise breakup is as under:

(Rs. In Millions)——————————————————————————————

Particular Amount——————————————————————————————

Production Expenses 3,347.547Operation & Maintenance Exp 614.191Staff salaries/ Benefits & other Admin Exp 6,958.846Depreciation Expenses 290.443

——————————————————————————————Total Expenses 11,211.027

——————————————————————————————

Total Head-wise expenditure of PBC during the last year 2018-19is as under:

Rupees in million——————————————————————————————

Head Amount——————————————————————————————

Pay & Allowances. 1,860.276

Pension & Commutation 2,405.442

Election Expenses 0.212

Personnel Expenses 647.459

Travelling & Convey. 33.101

Programme Expenses 260.148

News Expenses 41.600

Admin. Expenses 148.431

Repair & Maintenance 16.773

Legal Expenses 2.518

Financial Expenses 0.653

Power / Fuel Expenses 287.819

——————————————————————————————Total: 5,703.780

——————————————————————————————

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131. *Ms. Naureen Farooq Ibrahim: (Deferred during 16th Session)

Will the Minister for National History and Literary Heritage bepleased to state:

(a) the steps being taken by the Government to increase the use oflibraries in Islamabad;

(b) whether it is a fact that atmosphere in the National Library andChildren Library is not up to the mark; if so, the steps beingtaken in this regard; and

(c) the number of new public libraries established in Islamabadduring the last five years?

Minister for National History and Literary Heritage (Mr. ShafqatMahmood): (a)

STEPS BEING TAKEN TO PROMOTE LIBRARY CULTURE INISLAMABAD.

The National Library of Pakistan (NLP) and the Department of Libraries(DOL) are functioning to provide services within their domain. National Library ofPakistan is a research and reference Library and National depository of allpublications printed in Pakistan. Department of Libraries is managing six communitylibraries and three public libraries in Islamabad. Steps being taken for reader friendlyatmosphere are as follows:

(b) The atmosphere in the National Library of Pakistan has been improveda lot. All the reading halls have been up-graded and renovated. New Sections i.e.Women Resource Center, Digital Reading Area, International Corners, Sectionfor Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens have been established. ConferenceRoom and Auditorium has also been renovated. 400 to 600 readers use the servicesof National Library on daily basis and Library remains open from Morning toEvening during all 07 days of the week. A Children Section is also being establishedin the National Library during the current financial year 2019-2020. A newdevelopment project for Up-Gradation of remaining facilities, wash rooms, exterior,roof treatment and surrounding environment of the Building is being prepared inconsultation with CDA for further improvement of the services of the National

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Library. The services of National Library are widely appreciated by the generalpublic as well as public media.

Department of Libraries has taken following steps to improve services inthe Model Children Library:

• Air conditioning facility in Model Children Library.• Availability of Computer for searching/ browsing of reading

material.• Availability of backup power facility for un-interrupted services.• Automation of library collection also searchable through Internet.• Provision of sufficient parking space for vehicles.• Shifting of Model Children Library from Islamabad Public Library

to alongside the building of Quaid Public Library, F-9 Park,Islamabad for easy accessibility of the users.

• Case taken up with CDA for alternate space for construction ofmodel children library building.

(c) During last 5 years no new library has been set up in Islamabaddue to shortage of funds. However, Department of Libraries has completedmaintenance work of G-7 and G-11 community libraries. These libraries arefully functional. A PC-I of Faiz Ahmed Faiz Library, F.10 sector has beensubmitted to Planning Division for approval. In this regard, CDA has alsobeen approached to establish new community libraries in other sectors ofIslamabad. CDA has identified 12-13 locations. Matter is under process.

@13. *Ms. Maryam Aurangzaib:

Will the Minsiter In-charge of the Cabinet Division be pleased to state:

(a) the achievement ofAssets Recovery Unit, which was establishedto bring back stashed money of Pakistanis abroad particularlywith reference to bring back aforesaid money alongwith theamount which has been brought back so far;

(b) the administrative expenditure of the unit, which has been spenton it so far;

——————————————————————————————————@ Transferred from Finance Division.

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(c) details of tours which have been made either by SpecialAssistant to PM on Accountability who heads the Unit or anyother functionary thereof alongwith expenditure incurred uponeach visit since the inception of the unit;

(d) the authority who approved such visits;

(e) is there any proposal under consideration to carry outperformance based audit of such unit; if so, the details thereof,if not, the reasons thereof?

Minsiter In-charge of the Cabinet Division: (a) Federal Cabinet,in its meeting held on 5th September, 2018, approved the establishment ofAssets Recovery Unit (ARU) under the chairmanship of Special Assistant tothe Prime Minister (SAPM) on Accountability with representation from FederalInvestigation Agency (F IA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), FederalBoard of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and private sectorfor implementation of recovery of unlawful assets abroad. Assets RecoveryUnit, being a coordinating unit, provides a forum to Laws Enforcement Agenciesand relevant institutions to trace/detect new cases and fast track all existingcases targeting eventual repatriation of unlawfully acquired off-shore assets.The afore-mentioned agencies and organizations eventually recover the amounteither through taxation or plea bargain or direct recovery/ repatriation to thegovernment exchequer, as the case may be. Such details are available with theafore-mentioned agencies and organizations.

(b) During financial year 2018-19, an amount of Rs. 15.338 million hasbeen incurred out of the budget of Assets Recovery Unit. During financial year2019-20, an amount of Rs. 8.282 million has been incurred up to October 2019as per reconciled figures of the Assets Recovery Unit with Accountant GeneralPakistan Revenues (AGPR). These expenses include salaries of ARU staff/ officers.

(c) Details of tours along with expenditure incurred upon each visit sincethe inception of the unit are at Annexure-I.

(d) Prime Minister is the authority who has approved foreign visits outof the budget of the Assets Recovery Unit. Local visits are approved by the SpecialAssistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability/ Chairman Assets RecoveryUnit in case of officers of Assets Recovery Unit.

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(e) The Auditor General of Pakistan, being the constitutional authority,decides to conduct audit of the Assets Recovery Unit. So audit planning andexecution rests with the Auditor General of Pakistan.

(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)

@38. *Ms. Uzma Riaz:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state the steps taken by the Government in order to provideglobal market skills training to the poor labour force/unemployedpersons residing in backward areas of the country for the last threeyears?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): 1. National Vocational & Technical TrainingCommission (NAVTTC) is the apex body for Technical and VocationalEducation and Training (TVET) sector in Pakistan. The Commission is targetingthe provision of market oriented skills training to the poor labour force andunemployed persons specially residing in less developed areas of the country.For this purpose, a special skill development program namely; Prime Minister’sSpecial Package to implement “Skills for All” Strategy has been launchedunder the Kamyab Jawan Program, wherein, 50,000 youth belonging toless developed areas like Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir,Southern Punjab and Rural Sindh will be provided technical hands-on skills.The prime objective of this program is to uplift socio-economic condition ofyouth belonging to areas with low Human Development Index (HDI). Thisprogramme envisage 14 components and due priority is given to the provisionof global market skills, compatible with international job market.

2. In addition to this, 50 Pakistani state of the art TVET instituteswill be affiliated with best TVET international TVET institutes to provide globallyacceptable skill training to Pakistani youth.

3. Deserving youth from less developed areas will also be providedboarding and lodging facilities in the countries best institutes to provide themquality skill education

__________________________________________________________@ Transferred from Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Division.

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4. The concept of e-learning is being introduced for the first time inthe country by establishing “smart-class rooms” in TVET institutes. Thisintervention will primarily benefit youth belonging to less developed areas whowill be able to learn latest technological skills through distant learning.

5. A system of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has beenlaunched to certify skills acquired through the informal “Ustaad-Shagird” mode.More than 20,000 youth have already benefited from this initiative which isenabling youth belonging to less developed areas to certify their skills and gainaccess to better employment opportunities.

6. To enhance the employability of Pakistani youth in internationaljob market, particularly from less developed areas, 10 “country of destinationspecific facilitation centres” are being established across the country. Thesefacilitation centres will deliver skill training in accordance with internationalstandards and also impart knowledge about international job market to Pakistaniyouth.

115. *Mr. Murtaza Javed Abbasi:

Will the Minister for Aviation Division be pleased to state:

(a) how many officials were removed from service or compulsoryretired on the allegation of corruption from Civil AviationAuthority (CAA);

(b) whether it is a fact that officials removed on corruption chargesare still working in the bidding pre-qualification department ofCAA;

(c) what action was taken against those responsible for collapse ofPassenger Bridge in Islamabad Airport;

(d) whether the tender for Passenger Bridge was awarded to bid ofRupees 8 billion and a bid of Rupees 4 billion was rejected; if so,reasons thereof; and

(e) what action has been taken on the reports of favoritism andcorruption in the awarding of contracts by CAA?

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Minister for Aviation Division (Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan): (a)No official has been removed or compulsory retired on the allegation ofcorruption from CAA;

(b) Not applicable.

(c) After an Inquiry conducted by the Board of Inquiry(BoI), headedby Deputy Director General (Airport Services), CAA, the Original EquipmentManufacturer (OEM) MIS ADELTE was made responsible and has beenasked to replace the boarding bridge at their own cost. Moreover, minor penaltyi.e. “Censure” was awarded to officers namely Mr. Hammad-ur-Rehman,Senior Deputy Director (Mechanical) and Mirza Muhammad Aleem, JointDirector for collapse of Passenger Bridge at IIAP, Islamabad.

(d) & (e) The Contract for designing, provisioning and installation ofAircraft Standard Equipment including Passenger Boarding Bridges wasawarded at cost of Rupees Five Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety (5,990)Million, and there was no rejection of Bid containing known lower offer.However, Public Accounts Committee on others observations had referredthis Contract Package to National Accountability Bureau for investigation,which is underway”.

116. *Mr. Abdul Majeed Khan:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state:

(a) the reasons for not promoting Accountants (BPS-16) andAssistant Private Secretaries (BPS-16) on the post ofAdministrative Officer (BPS-17) and violating S.R.O 88 (KE)/92dated 23-04-1992 and S.R.O 1097(I) 93 dated 15-11-1993, inwhich 75% quota is reserved for Accountants and 25% for theStenographers to promote as Administrative Officer(BPS-16);

(b) the reason for another violation of S.R.O 1166(I)/2016 dated14-12-2016, in which the post of Administrative Officer(BPS-16) is upgraded as Administrative Officer (BPS-17) in the

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recruitment rules and 50% quota is reserved for the Accountants(BPS-16) and 30% for Assistant Private Secretaries (BPS-16);and

(c) plan of action for promotion of aforesaid cadres?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) Due to up-gradation of the post of Accountantand Assistant Private Secretaries BPS-16, no share reserved in quota forpromotion of Stenographers and Accountant to the post of AdministrativeOfficer was ever violated by Federal Directorate of Education, Islamabad. Itis further elaborated that the promotion of Assistant Private Secretaries(BS-16) could not be considered due to the reason that the post ofStenographer (BPS-15) was up-graded in BPS-16 w.e.f. 23-12-2011by re-designation as APS and the post of Accountant was up-graded w.e.f.16-10-2014.

(b) As per Establishment Division’s existing up-gradation policy, dated20-01-2001, the post of Administrative Officer in Federal Directorate ofEducation, Islamabad and all its allied Islamabad Model Colleges has beenup-graded from BS-16 to BS-17 vide Finance Division’s O.M No. 1(35)R-I/2013/757/2015 dated 29-10-2015. According to the revised SRO No.1166(1)2016 dated 14-12-2016 framed by the Establishment Division withconcurrence of FPSC 30% quota for promotion to the post of AdministrativeOfficer (BS-17) has been reserved for APS (BS-16) and 50% for AccountantBPS-16.

(c) They will be considered for promotion to the post ofAdministrative Officer (BPS-17) against reserved quota in line with SRO dated14-12-2016 as and when vacancies become available in Federal Directorateof Education, Islamabad and its allied Islamabad Model Colleges.

117. *Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation andSocial Safety Division be pleased to state:

(a) the details of agreement recently signed by the Government withChina for poverty alleviation in the country; and

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(b) the sectors in which improvement will be made under the saidagreement?

Reply not received.

118. *Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb:


(a) the total number of persons recruited in the Ministry and itsattached departments during the present regime so far; and

(b) the designation-wise detail alongwith the procedure and criteriaadopted for said recruitments?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): Main Ministry

(a) Only one person has been recruited during the present regime.

(b) Technical Adviser (MP-I scale), Procedure / criteria (Annex-I)

National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC)——————————————————————————————

a. No person has been recruited / appointed at any post during thepresent regime so far.

b. Nil——————————————————————————————

National Education Foundation (NEF).——————————————————————————————

a. No person has been recruited / appointed at any post of NationalEducation Foundation during the present regime so far.

b. Nil——————————————————————————————

Higher Education Commission, HEC——————————————————————————————

a. A total of 25 (twenty five) employees recruited in the HigherEducation Commission during the present regime.

——————————————————————————————

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——————————————————————————————b. The Designation-wise detail alongwith the procedure and criteria

adopted for the said recruitments is attached at Annex-II.——————————————————————————————

Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA)——————————————————————————————

a. Only one person i.e. Chairperson, ICT- PEIRA was recruited.

b. Post of Chairperson, ICT-PEIRA was filled in terms of Clause-7 ofthe Islamabad Capital Territory - Private Educational Institutions(Registration & Regulation) Act, 2013 and Rules 7 of the IslamabadCapital Territory - Private Educational Institution Chairman andMember (Academics) and Member (Registration) (Appointment andQualifications) Rules, 2015. Post of Chairperson, ICT-PEIRA wasfilled through competitive process including advertisement, scrutiny,interview, followed by approval of the Federal Government in termsof aforesaid Clause-7 and Rules 7.

——————————————————————————————Federal Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (FBISE)

——————————————————————————————a. Only one person has been recruited during the present regime.

b. Mr. Sarni Sheraz L.D.C. (BS-09) appointed on contract basis underAssistance Package. Moreover, as per FBISE Employees (Service)Regulation 2005.

——————————————————————————————National Commission for Human Development (NCHD)

——————————————————————————————a. No person has been recruited / appointed at any post during the

present regime so far.

b. Nil——————————————————————————————

Basic Education Community Schools BECS——————————————————————————————

a. No person has been recruited / appointed at any post during thepresent regime so far,

b. Nil——————————————————————————————

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Pakistan Manpower Institute (PMI)——————————————————————————————

a. Only one person has been recruited during the present regime.

b. One Naib Qasid (BS-01) is recruited under the Prime MinisterAssistance Package for Families of Government Employees whoDie in Service, Establishment Division O.M. No.8/10/2013-E-2 Pton contract basis for period of 5 years.

——————————————————————————————Academy of Education Planning & Management (AEPAM)

——————————————————————————————a. No person has been recruited / appointed at any post of National

Education Foundation during the present regime so far.

b. Nil——————————————————————————————

National Talent Pool(NIP)——————————————————————————————

a. No person has been recruited / appointed at any post during thepresent regime so far.

b. Nil——————————————————————————————

Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO, (PNCU)——————————————————————————————

a. Only one person has been recruited during the present regime.

b. Lower Division Clerk (BPS-09)(Recruited on 5 (five) years contractbasis under Prime Minister Assistance Package for the families ofdeceased employee who die in Service.

——————————————————————————————National Education Assessment System (NEAS)

——————————————————————————————a. Total 02 (two) persons has been recruited during the current regime.

b. The designation –wise detail alongwith the procedure criteria adoptedfor said recruitment is as under:

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——————————————————————————————S.No. Name of Post No’s Rema rks

——————————————————————————————1. Psychometridan 1 Post Filled on deputation as a stop gap arrangement till the

BS-18 appointment through FPSC

1. Test Development 1 Recruitment made as per procedure adopted through FPSCSpecialist, BPS-18 on Sindh Quota.

——————————————————————————————National Curriculum Council (NCC)

——————————————————————————————

a. No person has been recruited / appointed at any post of during thepresent regime so far.

b. Nil——————————————————————————————

Federal Directorate of Education (FDE)——————————————————————————————

a. The information pertaining to the question is Nil, however, 02 Personsare appointed under the Prime Minister’s Assistance Package oncontract basis and 01-person is appointed on contract basis underthe quota for deceased employees who were retired from service onmedical grounds under Federal Directorate of Education the, detailis as under.

b. The designation wise detail of appointed persons under PrimeMinister’s Assistance package in FDE is as under:

• Mr. Muhammad Yawar Nawaz, Assistant• Mr. Muhammad Huzaifa, LDC.

Appointed persons (son/daughter of deceased quota of thoseincumbents who retired on medical grounds.

• Mr. Amir Abdullah, Urdu typist——————————————————————————————

Pakistan Girl Guides Association——————————————————————————————

a. Total 05 (Five) persons has been recruited during the currentregime.

——————————————————————————————

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——————————————————————————————S.No. Designation Procedure and Criteria

——————————————————————————————1. National Secretary Through Advertisement of posts and subsequently holding tests and

BS-19 interviews at PGGA NHQ Islamabad,

2. Director Training Through Advertisement of posts and subsequently holding tests andBS-19 interviews at PGGA NHQ Islamabad.

3. Deputy Director Through Advertisement of posts and subsequently holding tests andTraining BS-18 interviews at PGGA NHQ Islamabad.

4. Chapter Secretary Through Advertisement of posts and subsequently holding tests andICT BS-17 interviews at PGGA NHQ Islamabad.

5. Trainer BS-16 Through Advertisement of posts and subsequently holding tests and

interviews at PGGA Balochistan branch Quetta.

——————————————————————————————Pakistan Boy Scouts Association



b. Nil——————————————————————————————

Federal College of Education——————————————————————————————

a. There are total 04 persons recruited in Federal College ofEducation Islamabad.

b. 01 Assistant Professor (BS-18) through FPSC in accordancewith notified Recruitment Rules of FCE, notified vide S.R.O.74(KE) 2007 and 27th September, 2007.

01 Store Keeper (BS-6) under Existing Prime Minister’sassistance package for families of those employees who died in-service in accordance with the notified Recruitment Rules of FCE(BS-01 to BS-15), notified vide S.R.O. 98(KE)2010 dated 8thJuly, 2010.

01 Naib Qasid (BS-01) (Disable Quota) Recruited on merit/ localbasis in accordance with the notified Recruitment Rules of FCE(BS-01 to BS-15), notified vide S.R.O 98(KE)2010 dated 8thJuly, 2010.

——————————————————————————————

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——————————————————————————————01 Lab Attendant Tech (BS-01) (Disable Quota) Recruited onmerit / local basis in accordance with the notified Recruitment Rulesof FCE (BS-01 to BS-15), notified vide S.R.O 98(KE) 2010 dated8th July, 2010.

——————————————————————————————Federal Government Polytechnic Institute of Women



b. Nil——————————————————————————————


119. *Jam Abdul Karim Bijar:


(a) detail of budget allocated and released to HEC in the last fivefinancial years and amount utilized by the HEC in the aforesaidyears;

(b) whether it is a fact that substantial decrease in allocation offunds for HEC has been noted in the current financial year; ifso, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is also a fact that public Universities are facingdifficulties due to shortage of funds; if so, the details thereof;and

(d) what steps are being taken to provide prudent funding to publicsector universities?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) The amount of budget allocated, released, andutilized by Higher Education Commission (HEC) during last five financial years isas under:

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(Billion Rupees)——————————————————————————————

Recurring Budget Development Budget

Year Allocation Released Utilized Allocation Released Utilized

——————————————————————————————

2018-19 65.02 65.02 65.02 30.961 18.819 18.819

2017-18 63.183 63.183 63.183 27.621 16.388 16.388

2016-17 58.208 58.208 58.208 21.486 8.724 8.724

2015-16 54.5 54.5 54.5 19.985 19.924 19.924

2014-15 45.05 45.05 45.05 27.762 20.011 20.011

——————————————————————————————(b) The budgetary allocations to HEC under recurring and development

grants for the 2019-20 are reflected below, which indicates an overall 8.14%reduction:——————————————————————————————

Type 2018-19 2019-20 % age——————————————————————————————

Recurring 65.000 59.100 (9.1%)

Development 30.961 29.047 (6.18%)——————————————————————————————

Total 95.961 88.147 (8.14%)——————————————————————————————

(c) Yes, public sector universities are facing difficulties due to shortageof funds. At the time of preparation of federal budget 2019-20, the HECsubmitted overall requirement of Rs. 103.550 billion jointly estimated withFinance Division under recurring grant for all universities and ongoing researchactivities. A total of Rs. 88.147 billion (Recurring: Rs. 59.100 + Development:Rs. 29.047) could finally be allocated to HEC for FY 2019-20.Accordingly, all universities were provided lesser funding out of total recurringgrant allocated to HEC. The detail is attached at Annex-I.

(d) The HEC has reworked out minimum additional fundingrequirement of universities to assuage them from financial difficulties duringcurrent year 2019-20. A ‘Summary to Cabinet’ has been sent by HEC,through Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, requestingfederal government to provide Rs. 21.380 billion as Supplementary Grantduring current FY 2019-20. In addition, all universities have also been

23

requested to approach respective provincial governments for enhancedcontribution in universities recurring budget for the year and undertake optimalfinancial controlling and management.


120. *Ms. Fauzia Behram:


(a) the steps taken or being taken by the Government for facultydevelopment of the public sector universities in the countryduring the last five years;

(b) the amount spent on the faculty development of the saiduniversities during that period with year wise breakup; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Government for improving thegovernance of public and private sector universities in thecountry?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) Higher Education Commission (HEC) has takenstrategic steps to strengthen the faculty and continuously improving the qualitylearning and research in Pakistani Universities/ HEIs. The following steps havebeen taken by the Government through HEC for faculty development of thepublic sector universities across the country during last five years:

HEC has been working on multi-pronged strategy for the facultydevelopment of universities, awarding local and foreignscholarships to Pakistani students to pursue their PhD. Aftercompletion of their studies, scholars are appointed as AssistantProfessor in HEC recognized Universities of Pakistani/AJK.

A total of 629 Scholarships have been awarded to FacultyMembers associated with different Pakistani Universities underFaculty Development Program (FDP).

24

A total of 30 Post-Doctorate Scholarships have been awardedto the Faculty Members under Post-Doctoral FellowshipsProgram.

A total of 2549 Scholarships have been awarded to the FacultyMembers under Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs Program (IPFP)

HEC has launched an exclusive program in 2017 titled “FacultyDevelopment Program” to provide financial support to existingfaculty members of the universities to pursue their PhD. Underthis program, 2000 faculty members would be enrolled in localuniversities and would spend two years in foreign universities fortheir research. A total of 445 scholarships awarded till date.

HEC has launched Phase-III of POST-Doctoral Fellowshipprogram in 2018. The project will provide 1000 fellowship in allthe disciplines, over a period of five years. The project has beendesigned for the PhD degree holders to equip them with advancetechnologies form top notch universities of the world.

HEC has launched Master-Trainers Faculty ProfessionalDevelopment Program (MT-FPDP), and various facultyprofessional development programs, wherein 3808 FacultyMembers have been trained during the last five years. Thesetrained faculty members are responsible to conduct facultydevelopment activities in their respective Institutions.

HEC has established the state of art academy for capacity buildingof faculty and management of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)in requisite skills at par with global standards i.e. NationalAcademy of Higher Education (NAHE) has launched in June 12,2019. However, its organizational structure/institutional structurein process.

HEC is running National Research Program for Universities(NRPU) as per researchers’ needs and requirements to promotethe current challenges of researchers working in local universities/HEIs of Pakistan and to promote the Research and Development.A total of 2108 projects have been approved.

25

Pak-US Science & Technology Cooperation Program: thisprogram, which is being implemented by the US NationalAcademy of Sciences on the US side and HEC from Pakistanside is intended to increase the strength and breadth of cooperationand linkages between Pakistan scientists and institutions withcounterparts in the United States. A total of 27 projects havebeen approved.

Pakistan Programme for Collaborative Research allows foruniversity faculty working in Pakistan to go abroad or forresearchers from technological advanced countries to come toPakistan. Preference is given to faculty members visiting foreigninstitutions that have recognized excellence in the relevant researcharea. A total of 89 projects have been approved.

Pak-Turk Researchers’ Mobility Grant Program 2017 is one ofthe upshot of Turkish-Pakistani cooperation within the scope ofinternationalization effort of higher education systems. It isimplemented in Turkey by the Council of Higher Education(CoHE) and in Pakistan by the HEC. A total of 24 projects havebeen approved.

PERIDOT is the Franco-Pakistani Hubert Curien Partnership(PHC) Program providing opportunities to Pakistani and Frenchresearchers to interact for joint research activities. The programis implemented in Pakistan by the HEC and in France, jointly bythe Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Development(MAEDI) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research(MESRI). The objective of this program is to develop newscientific and technological cooperation between French andPakistani higher education institutions/research laboratories bysupporting the mobility of researchers from both sides. A total of30 projects have been approved.

(b) A total of Rs.11.78 billion has been spent on the facultydevelopment programs of said universities during the period. The Program-wise breakup is as under:

26

Rs. in million——————————————————————————————

Name of Program Amount——————————————————————————————

Faculty Development Program (FDP) 3573

Post-Doctoral Fellowship 37.84

FDP for Pakistani Universities 12.594

Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs Program (IPFP) 2007.76

Master-Trainers Faculty Professional Development Program 106.09

National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) 5379.08

Pak-US Science & Technology Cooperation Program 577.708

Pakistan Program for Collaborative Research 36.945

PAK-TURK Researcher’s Mobility Grant Program 17.058

Pak-FRANCE Peridot Researcher’s Mobility Grant Program 32.919

——————————————————————————————Total 11780.994

——————————————————————————————The Year-wise breakup is at Annex-I.

(c) HEC is striving hard to enhance the overall governance and qualityeducation in all public and private sector universities across the country.Following steps have been taken by the Government through HEC forimproving the governance of public and private sector universities across thecountry:

HEC has established Quality Assurance Agency to develop andimplement Standards for Quality Assurance Mechanism at DegreeAwarding Institutions (DAIS) both Program & Institution Level,wherein Internal and External Quality Assurance Mechanism hasbeen developed and implemented in all DAIS across the country.

HEC has launched Modern University Governance (MUG) Program.This program aims to equip the Higher Education Institutions’management cadre with advanced governance skills.

27

A total of 459 Vice-chancellors/Rectors/Directors and other SeniorManagement of HEIs of all public sector universities across Pakistanhave attended trainings in collaboration with Asian Institute ofTechnology (AIT) Thailand and British Council of Pakistan. Programswere conducted both nationally and internationally, wherein 162administrative/management staff from HEIs across Pakistan trainedinternationally and 297 administrative/management staff from HEIsacross Pakistan trained nationally.

Annex-I

THE AMOUNT SPENT ON THE FACULTY DEVELOPMENTYEAR WISE BREAKUP

Rs. in million——————————————————————————————Name of Program 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Amount

——————————————————————————————Faculty Development Program 3573

Post-Doctoral Fellowship 13.76 24.08 0 0 0 37.84

FDP for Pakistani Universities 0 0 0 0 12.594 12.594

Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs 613.8 582.8 797.16 7.00 7.00 2007.76Program

Master-Trainers Faculty 21.62 24.52 39.92 10.84 9.19 106.09Professional Development Program

National Research Program for 633.72 860.25 1334.12 1187.35 1363.64 5379.08Universities (NRPU)

Pak-US Science & Technology 47.28 156.43 228.35 107.43 38.218 577.708Cooperation Program

Pakistan Program for Collaborative 1.744 1.091 11.54 14.16 8.41 36.945Research

PAK-TURK Researcher’s Mobility 0 0 0 8.298 8.760 17.058Grant Program

Pak-FRANCE Peridot Researcher’s 2.134 8.445 10.800 5.160 6.380 32.919Mobility Grant Program

——————————————————————————————Total 11780.994

——————————————————————————————* Faculty Development Program is implemented and expenditure maintained by the universities

independently. The year wise data is being collected which will be shared in due course of time.

28

121. *Mr. Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state the number of students receiving scholarships fromthe Federal Government in various disciplines with province-wisebreak-up?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): A total 46114 (forty six thousands one hundredand fourteen) students receiving scholarships from the Higher EducationCommission in various disciplines. Province-wise break-up is as under:——————————————————————————————

Region No. of scholarships——————————————————————————————

Azad Jammu & Kashmir 3101

Balochistan 8208

FATA 1132

Gilgit-Baltistan 952

Islamabad (ICT) 1407

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 8621

Punjab 16758

Sindh 5935

——————————————————————————————Total 46114

——————————————————————————————122. *Mr. Muhammad Moeen Wattoo:


(a) the number of regular posts of Professors and AssistantProfessors in Model Colleges of Islamabad alongwith the numberof vacant posts; and

(b) whether there is any proposal to fill the vacant posts; if not, thereasons thereof?

29

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) At present total number of 516 regular Professorsand Assistant Professors are working in the Islamabad Model Colleges underFederal Directorate of Education, Islamabad. Whereas total number of 72posts are lying vacant in Islamabad Model Colleges.

(b) Yes, requisition to take up the case with FPSC against vacantposts is under process and will be forwarded to Ministry of Federal Educationand Professional Training for onward submission to FPSC.

123. *Mrs. Shahida Akhtar Ali:

Will the Minister for Aviation Division be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the passengers have to wait for hours toget their luggage at the new Islamabad International Airportalongwith details of the estimated time taken for offloading ofluggage at present;

(b) how many loading vehicles and staff are provided for offloadingof luggage from each flight; and

(c) what steps are being taken to solve this issue?

Minister for Aviation Division (Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan): (a) Thedaily data / report of the time consumed is maintained for domestic andInternational flights on daily basis. Standard time of one hour has been benchmarked for baggage delivery at the belt (from first bag at belt till last bagloaded on the belt), which generally commences after 15 minutes of AircraftEngine Shutdown. However, if the baggage in flight is extra ordinarily morethan average baggage received, there can be slight delay in completion ofbaggage delivery. Furthermore 100% baggage is being scanned at Internationalarrival at IIAP. Other factors that may cause late baggage delivery include theabsence of Unit Load Devices, absence / less staff of airline to manage theoffloading of baggage and / or absence of customs / FIA staff who areresponsible for scanning of the baggage.

(b) According to Civil Aviation Authority, the provision of requisiteground handling staff and Unit Load Device (ULD) is solely responsibility ofthe concerned airlines. Airlines through their own staff or by Ground Handling

30

agencies (GHAs) manage the same. The personnel detailed for the flights varyin number depending on the type of aircraft.

(c) All out efforts have been made to ensure the timely baggage deliveryto the passengers. In this regard, the matter is taken up and emphasized in functionalcontrol meetings with all stakeholders. Airline, agencies and GHAs operating atIslamabad International Airport (IIAP) have been taken into loop to further improvethe service of baggage delivery.

124. *Ms. Maryam Aurangzaib:

Will the Minister for Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

(a) the World Economic Forum in its report of 2019 ranked Pakistanbelow as compare to preceding year i.e 2018 in PressFreedom, whether the Government either has assessed or intendsto assess reasons behind such downward trend of the country inPress Freedom and matters ancillary thereto, which hinders theconcept of independent media; if so, the details thereof; and

(b) what steps are being taken by the Government to improve suchrating in coming year?

Minister for Information and Broadcasting: (a) Pakistan has avibrant media landscape which enjoys great independence in its working. Article19/19-A of the constitution of Government of Pakistan has guaranteed theright of freedom of expression and the right to access to the information.Government of Pakistan has not altered or amended these laws neither hasput any sort of ban on freedom of expression or right to access to information.In the Rules of Business, 1973, of the Government of Pakistan have given theresponsibility to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to facilitate thedevelopment of media outfits.

It is also pertinent to mention here that during investigation in most ofthe cases related to the killings of the journalists were the outcomes of personalhostilities. Also it is important to mention here that due to lack of witnessesand weak prosecutions the criminal are either on bail in most of the cases orthey are acquitted.

31

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is in liaison with Ministry ofInterior and Provincial Home Departments for speedy coordination ininvestigation and proper prosecution.

(b) Government believes in free flow of information and freedom toreport and does not believe in press advice and censorship. Government alwayswelcomes the objective and healthy criticism from the media. Government expectsself regulation by the media and believes in persuasive approach to implementcode of ethics and conduct. Press council of Pakistan which oversees the medialandscape for any violation of ethical values is a represented body of media andprivate sector. Liberal media policy of the government resulted in exponentialgrowth of Newspapers, TV and Radio Channels in private sector.

The government is in the process of finalizing Journalist Welfare andProtection Bill, 2019 which will ensure safety and security of journalists and theirfamilies. The ministry is seeking inputs from the relevant divisions for furtherimprovement in the draft bill. Once the draft is finalized it will be presented beforethe Cabinet for approval prior to submission in the parliament.

Moreover the Government is taking care of the families of the journalistswho died in line their duties by giving financial assistance to their children on foreducation. The government also assists the journalists financially for the medicaltreatment to the journalists who are facing any diseases.

125. *Mr. Abdul Qadir Patel:


(a) whether it is a fact that buses, which were purchased recentlyfor Schools/Colleges, under Federal Directorate of Education,have not been provided to respective Schools/Colleges;

(b) whether it is also a fact that aforesaid buses have been rotting,where they were parked due to absence of proper safetymeasures;

(c) if the answers to above is in affirmative, the reasons for notproviding the aforesaid buses to schools/Colleges and who isresponsible of such delay; and

32

(d) what steps are being taken to provide aforesaid buses toconcerned schools/colleges at an earliest?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) Fact is that all the 200 buses have been handedover to the educational institutions under Federal Directorate of Education,Islamabad. These buses were purchased under Prime Minister’s EducationReforms Programme.

(b) Fact is that all the buses are plying on roads for providing pickand drop facility to the school/colleges students. However they are parkedproperly in the college/schools premises to ensure the safety and security.

(c) N/A

(d) To address the transport issue a comprehensive scheme for theprovision of 200 buses was initiated in the educational institutions of ICTunder PMERP. In 1st phase, 70-buses were handed over to the educationalinstitutions of FDE in January, 2017.In 2nd phase 60-buses were handedover to educational institution in September 2018. Lastly, in 3rd phase70-buses were handed over to the educational institutions in January, 2019.

126. *Ch. Muhammad Hamid Hameed:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Establishment Division be pleasedto state:

(a) whether it is a fact that provision of paternity leave is availablefor Provincial employees while not available for Federalemployees; if so, reason for this discrimination; and

(b) as to when the said leave will be allowed to Federal employees;if not, reasons thereof?

Transferred to Finance Division for answer on Next Rota Day.

127. *Moulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the budget allocated for Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal has been exhausted since September 2019;

33

(b) the detail of funds allocated and released to Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal during fiscal year 2019-20;

(c) the heads under which the said funds were spent; and

(d) the number of persons from Chitral District, who have gotassistance from Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal under various heads?

Reply not received.

128. *Syed Agha Rafiullah:

Will the Minister for Climate Change be pleased to state:

(a) the number of vehicles, which are at the pool of each division,attached department and subordinate offices and any otherdepartment under the administrative control of the Ministry at present alongwith annual expenditure on account of suchvehicles for the last five years;

(b) detail of each vehicle and the name of person alongwith postand grade who is using that vehicle at present;

(c) whether authorities concerned have taken notice of misuse ofvehicles placed under each of above department contrary tomonetization of transport facility;

(d) if so, whether any inquiry has been made in this regard; if so,the details thereof and what steps are being taken foraccountability of those responsible for such misuse of vehicles?

Minister of State for Climate (Ms. Zartaj Gul):

List of Vehicles main Ministry and attached Departments

(a) Annex-A

(b) Vehicle attached with at Annex-B.

(c) Nil.

(d) Nil.


34129. *Ms. Nusrat Wahid:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state:(a) the steps being taken by the Government to bridge the gap in

the employment and skill development target; and(b) the details of schemes for skill development and employment

generation launched by the Government all over the countrywith province-wise, area-wise breakup?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) The current government, immediately afterassuming office, Constituted a Task Force under Ministry of Federal Education &Professional Training for devising a comprehensive reform strategy for the uplift ofSkill Development Sector in Pakistan to bring it in conformity with the requirementsof national and international job market. Recommendations of the Task Forcewere incorporated in the National Skills for All strategy, which has been notifiedby the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training. To implement therecommendations of the Task Force a comprehensive project containing 14components was devised by NAVTTC and PC-I has been approved. The projectis part of recently announced “Kamyab Jawan Program”.

Apart from above major reforms project, NAVTTC has also takenfollowing steps for improving standards of Skill Development in the country:-

i. Six Centre of Excellence (CoE) across the country are beingestablished to impart training in accordance with internationalstandards.

ii. An inter-provincial TVET Ministerial Conference has beenestablished as a platform for building national consensus on SkillDevelopment.

iii. More than 50 Qualifications has been developed for standardizationof skill training across the country.

iv. Quality control framework of Technical Vocational Training has beendevised through implementation of National Accreditation System.

35v. The quality of training has been improved through upgrading of

workshops and laboratories of TVET institutes and imparting trainingon international standards to Pakistan TVET instructors.

(b) (1) The details of schemes for skill development and employmentgeneration launched by the Government all over the country is as under:

i. Development & Standardization of 200 Technical & VocationalEducation & Training (TVET) Qualifications

ii. International Accreditation of 50 Pakistani TVET Institutes andInitiation of Joint Degree Programs in TVET

iii. Extension of NAVTTC’s Job Portal into National EmploymentExchange Portal and refurbishing & Connecting all existing JobPlacement facilities across the country to NEX

iv. Establishing 75 Smart Tech Labs for virtual skill developmentprograms including distant learning programs in Technical &Vocational Education and Training sector

v. Establishing 10 country of destination specific facilitation centers in10 major manpower exporting cities across Pakistan

vi. Establishing 70 labs / workshop in Madrassa(s) to introduce skilldevelopment and TVET activities across Pakistan

vii. Skill development program for 50,000 youth belonging to lessdeveloped areas of the country especially Balochistan, GB, AJKand newly added districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Ex-FATA),Southern Punjab & Rural Sindh

viii. Skill development training of 50,000 Youth in High-End technologiesin reputed Universities of Pakistan and TVET institutes

ix. Apprenticeship training of 20,000 youth in industry underApprenticeship Act-2018 (formal & informal apprenticeship)

x. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of 50,000 youth to certifyinformally acquired skills inside the country and abroad and trainingof 4,000 Assessors

36xi. Establishing National Accreditation Council – placed at ICTxii. Accreditation of 2,000 TVET Institutes all across Pakistanxiii. Transfer of Technology through collaboration with technologically

advanced countries for bringing TVET system in Pakistan at parwith international standards Master Training of 500 TVET Teachersin Tech. Advanced Countries and In-Country Training of 2,000TVET Teachers

xiv. Establishment of 50 Business Incubation Centers to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship in skilled youth

(2) NFC Award will be the basic criterion for province-wise break-upof all the above mentioned schemes/resources.

130. *Ms. Sajida Begum:Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state whether the Government has taken any stepsfor appointment of a Psycho Counsellor in every school in Islamabad;if so, detail thereof? Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training

(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): There is no proposal under consideration forappointment of Psycho Counsellor in Federal Government School at Islamabad.131. *Mr. Ali Gohar Khan:

Will the Minister for Aviation Division be pleased to state:(a) the detail of year-wise deficit of PIA during the last ten years;

and(b) the steps being taken by the Government to minimize said deficit?Minister for Aviation Division (Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan): (a) Year-

wise deficit of PIA for the last ten years are as under:

37____________________________________________________________ Profit & Loss beforeTax PKR in “000”_____________________________________________________________

S# Years Amount_____________________________________________________________

1 2018 (67,417,815)2 2017 (Restated) (51,057,129)3 2016 (Restated) (44,795,723)4 2015 (29,953,338)5 2014 (Restated) (29,311,438)6 2013 (Restated) (44,710,877)7 2012 (Restated) (29,776,108)8 2011 (28,025,801)9 2010 (8,579,742)

10 2009 (Restated) (12,434,316)____________________________________________________________

(b) PIA is passing through dire financial state but the present Governmentis very keen to make it self-reliant. Efforts are underway to improve the financialhealth of the Corporation by reducing its losses/deficit through various means andmodes.

It is worth mentioning that despite facing difficulties, PIAC has beenable to improve upon its performance with an objective of reductionin losses. The major reason behind PIA’s losses is the increasedfinancial cost due inherited legacy loans of previous governmentsand rising mark ups and debt servicing. Moreover, significant increasein fuel prices and devaluation of currency etc. has also contributedtowards losses.

The decrease in losses is being addressed at two levels, enhancingrevenues and curtailment of costs. Revenue side is being addressedby improving market share through realigning sales team, manningstations on merit, aggressive sales promotion, improvement in productand services, focusing on revenue generation through ancillarysources, mounting new flights and expanding on existing productiveroutes such as KSA and Gulf.

The cost curtailment side is being addressed through austeritymeasures and cutting down on unnecessary administrative expenses,discipline and accountability in functions to tap leakages and wastage,

38cutting down loss making routes and other ventures, routerationalization and shifting operational facilities suitable to PIA flightoperations.

Consequently all performance indicators such as revenue, seat factor,yield and revenue per available seat are all showing growth comparedwith previous years and while considerable reduction in operatingand administrative costs are achieved for the same period.

132. *Choudhary Faqir Ahmad:Will the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunicationbe pleased to state:(a) whether the Government has taken notice of disproportionate

access to objectionable/pornographic images, texts and videoson Internet in the country; if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has formulated a long-term policy todeal with such online contents; if so, the details thereof;

(c) is there any law, which regulates and punish people who eitherfacilitate or abet such activities; if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government plans to undertake any program orcampaigns on cyber bullying and the manner in which people ingeneral and children in particular should navigate the internetsafely; if so, the details thereof?

Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (Dr.Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui): (a) Under section 37 of PECA, PTA has the powersto remove or block an information through any information system if it considers itnecessary, under following categories;

(a) Blasphemy (against glory of Islam)(b) Anti-state (against integrity, security or defence of Pakistan)(c) Public Order(d) Contempt of Court(e) Pornography (against decency and morality)(f) Incitement of any offence under provisions of PECA

39(b) PTA has established a directorate “Web Analysis Directorate” to

evaluate complaints received from different quarters and general public and blockobjectionable material over internet.

(c) For the general public to report objectionable contents, a Call Centrehas been established by PTA supported by toll free call-in number 080055055,short code 8866 for SMS, landline 0519207059, fax:0512878127 and via webform available on PTA website. In this regard, so far 933775 links have beenbarred from access from Pakistan, Details is attached as Annex-A

(b)&(c) Govt. has promulgated Prevention of Electronic Crime Act(PECA) in 2016, to address such online unlawful activities.

(d) PTA has taken following steps in sensitizing general public regardingonline safety.

a. On line Advisories on PTA websites.b. Periodic SMS Broadcastsc. Advisories and awareness messages in Local Newspapers.d. Posting of parental control software list on ISP’s websites

Annex-A____________________________________________________________

URL Blocking Summary_____________________________________________________________

Sr. No. Category Total Processed____________________________________________________________

1 Anti-judiciary 61822 Anti-State 131753 Blasphemy 536544 Defamatory/Impersonation 29155 Misc 46336 Pornography 8316747 Proxy 101968 Sectarian/Hate Speech 11346

____________________________________________________________ Total 933775

____________________________________________________________

40133. *Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision be pleased to state whether it is a fact the Government hasstarted National Poverty Graduation Initiative (NPGI); if so, theobjectives of the said initiative, indicating also the funds allocatedunder the said Program?Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision:

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund:The National Poverty Graduation Initiative (NPG I) is part of theEhsaas strategy. It aims to graduate the poorest households out of poverty andset them on a course of economic and social prosperity.Its components include (i) asset transfers; (ii) interest free loans and;(iii) vocational and skills training to make assets productive.The graduation initiative aims to reduce dependence of the population atthe bottom of the economic pyramid on government-led social safety nets (BISP,Zakat and Bait-ul-Mal programmes) and helps to bring this population into themainstream of economic development and financial inclusion.The government, in addition to its own funding, is partnering with theInternational Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Asian DevelopmentBank (ADB) in this initiative.Total projected cost of the initiative is Rs. 42.65 billion.——————————————————————————————

National Poverty Graduation Funds Rs. in Year of ApprovalInitiative Billion &Initiation

—————————————————————————————————————IFAD Funded PPAF Graduation 13.00 2019-20Programme (Federal government)ADB Funded BISP Graduation 6.30 2018-19Programme (Federal government)Interest Free Loans by the Federal and 23.35 Rs.5 billion fromProvincial Governments of KPand Punjab FederalGovernment in 2019

—————————————————————————————————————Total 42.65——————————————————————————————

41Implementation Arrangements

The initiative will be executed by Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)and BISP. More than forty partnering NGOs will be involved in executing thisinitiative including the Rural Support Programs and Akhuwat.Targeting, Selection and Impact

This initiative is being rolled out in over 100 districts and will impact 16.28million people with 50% women. The initiative also includes youth, persons withdisabilities, transgender people, minorities and marginalized communities in laggingdistricts. Selection of beneficiaries is based on the Poverty Score Card usedby the government and donors.Components of the National Poverty Graduation Initiative

iv. Asset transfer: 225,000 assets will be provided to the poorest ofthe poor to start their small businesses along with skills training and business planning.The average cost of the asset which will be given as a grant is Rs. 50,000.Furthermore, they will have access to interest free loans. In total 1.45 millionpeople will benefit from this component.

Recipients of asset transfers is determined by the partner organizationsusing the Poverty Score Card.

v. Interest Free Loan Programme: This is a major component ofthe Initiative. From July 2019 onwards, 80,000 interest free loans will be disbursedevery month. The range of the interest free loans is Rs. 20,000 - Rs. 75,000. Asmany as 3.8 million interest free loans will be provided (80,000 loans a month forthe next 4 years) to 2.28 million households. In total, 14.7 million people willbenefit from this component.

Interest free loans are being accessed through existing 1110 loan centersoperated by partner organization. As additional districts are added, new loan centerswill be established. Information will soon be available on the website of PovertyAlleviation and Social Safety Division. Meanwhile, please visit of PPAF for list ofloan centers and eligibility criteria (www.ppaf.org.pk/NPGI.html).

vi. Vocational and Skills Training: Recipients of asset transfer andinterest free loans will be provided skills and business development training as

42needed to ensure sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, an additional 20,000 youthwill be provided special skills to develop innovative businesses. This additionaltraining will benefit 129,000 people. Certified training courses will be conductedby NAVTTC.134. *Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:

Will the Minister for Aviation Division be pleased to state:(a) the total value of domestic and foreign assets of PIA; and(b) the detail of PIA Guest Houses?Minister for Aviation Division (Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan): (a) The

total book value of PIACL’s own domestic and International fixed assets isRs. 78.30 Billion.

(b) There is no PIA guest house at Domestic as well as Internationalstations.135. *Ms. Zille Huma:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state the steps being taken for the promotion of highereducation in Balochistan?Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training

(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): Higher Education Commission (HEC) is focusedtowards providing opportunities for access to higher education to under privilegedcandidates of Balochistan and other less privileged areas, who despite possessingacademic merit are unable to overcome the obstacle of funding, which is not onlyrestricted to tuition fee cost, but extended to accommodation and living expenses.As part of its efforts to support the students from less developed areas, details ofHEC projects in less developed areas and Scholarship projects launched by theGovernment of Pakistan especially for the students belonging to Balochistan areas follows:

Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students ofBalochistan & FATA Phase-I

43 Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of

Balochistan & FATA Phase-II Master Leading to PhD Scholarship Program for the students of

Balochistan, an initiative of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-BalochistanPackage

Ehsaas Undergarduate Scholarship Programme Law Graduates Scholarship Program for Balochistan for Study

Abroad HEC Scholarships for the students of Gwadar (Chinese Language

& Undergraduate Studies) Scholarships awarded to Students of Balochistan from all

scholarships schemes under HEC based on government quota policy136. *Ms. Sajida Begum:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state:(a) the number of students completed Ph.D so far under “HEC

5000 Scholarships” during the last five years alongwith theirnames, dates and year-wise detail; and

(b) whether it is a fact that some students could not complete theirPh.D after lapse of five years; if so, the reasons thereof andnames of students, dates and year-wise full detail thereof?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) A total of 1,203 (one thousand two hundred andthree) students completed PhD under project tilted “Indigenous 5,000 ScholarshipPhase-I & II” during last five years. A consolidated list containing the names,dates and year-wise detail is attached at Annex-I.

(b) As per HEC Quality Assurance (QA) criteria defined for the durationof PhD program, minimum 03 years and maximum 08 years are required forcompletion of PhD after MS/MPhil degree. HEC vigorously monitor the progress

44of the scholars and ensure to complete the PhD degree of the scholars withinprovided PhD time limit.

A total numbers of 549 (five hundred and forty nine) students could notcomplete their PhD after lapse of five years, however, they have not crossed thelimit of PhD duration as defined by HEC QA Division.

A consolidated list containing the names, status, dates and year-wise detailis attached at Annex-II.

(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)137. *Sheikh Rohale Asghar:

Will the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunicationbe pleased to state:(a) the total number of employees recruited in the Ministry and its

attached department so far during present regime; and(b) the designation-wise detail alongwith the criteria and procedure

adopted therefor?

Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (Dr.Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui): (a) Recruitment were made against four (04) postsin Ministry of IT and and one post in National Information Technology Board(NITB).

(b) Details at Annex-A.(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)

138. *Ms. Shagufta Jumani:Will the Minister for Climate Change be pleased to state:(a) whether the Government has compiled a data to determine

average number of deaths in a year due to air pollution in recentyears; if so, the detail thereof;

45(b) whether the Government is aware that millions of people and

in particular children are at risk because of air pollution in thecountry;

(c) if so, the details thereof alongwith remedial steps being taken inthis regard with the collaboration of provincial Governments?

Minister of State for Climate Change (Ms. Zartaj Gul): (a) Thequestion relates to Ministry of Health Services and Regulations and may thereforebe requested to share data from the latest Pakistan Demographic Health Survey(PDHS).

(b) Yes, the fact is realized well. In order to safeguard natural environsand human health against the ill effects of air pollution with special reference tourbanization and traffic pollution, the Ministry has recently formulated the ElectricVehicle (EV) Policy to curb obnoxious emissions into the air from fossil fuel vehicles(FFVs). The Federal Cabinet has approved the policy for consideration of ECC.The policy aims to promote healthier environs in the country.

(c) As safeguard measure, Ministry of Climate Change under its mandatehas undertaken following initiatives for addressing air pollution issues:-

1. Enacted Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1995;2. Notified National Environmental Quality Standards for ambient air

quality;3. Ministry of Climate Change under its national clean air program with

the support of UNEP’s Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)implemented a project to address Short Lived Climate Pollutantsspecifically pollutants responsible for Smog issues. Resultantly,introduction of Zig-Zag technology has been introduced in the brickkilns. The initiative is being implemented in coordination with all EPAs,National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA)and Pakistan Brick Kiln Association. The technology aims to reduceemissions into the air from Brick kilns.

4. Electric Vehicle Policy: To safeguard natural environs and humanhealth against the ill effects of air pollution with special reference tourbanization and traffic pollution, the Ministry in consultation with

46provincial governments has developed E-Vehicle Policy. The FederalCabinet has approved the policy for consideration of ECC. Thepolicy aims to promote healthier environs in the country.

139. *Ch. Muhammad Hamid Hameed:Will the Minister for Aviation Division be pleased to state:(a) whether it is a fact that the Pakistan International Airline (PIA)

lagging far behind other airlines in terms of introductionof Information Technology and promotion of on-line payments;

(b) whether it is also a fact that PIA, for flights booked onlinethrough debit/credit cards, stops the passengers from boardingthe planes unless they provide details of the credit card and awritten guarantee letter; if so,the reasons thereof; and

(c) what steps are being taken to promote on-line payments andother IT Programs?

Minister for Aviation Division (Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan): (a) PIAhas recently changed its core reservation system (Passenger Reservation System– PRS) from a system that was being used exclusively for last eighteen years.PIA’s new website and mobile Apps (Apple & Android) have been launched toincrease its on-line sales. PIA is very actively promoting and interacting with itscustomers through on-line social media channels. Additionally, for the first timePIA has entered in contract with all the three major Global Distribution Systems(GDS), which will help PIA to increase its visibility on agent networks and also onthe online channels like Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and Meta search engines.

(b) Given the old system’s limitations, extra security measures wereimplemented to ensure that only those passengers were allowed to board the aeroplane who had purchased the tickets using legitimate credit / debit card. As perthis policy passengers were required to present payment card at the time of check-in to avoid fraudulent activity. However, with the new systems in place, which iscompliant to Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards, and also with the help ofintroduction of new security tolls effective Oct 2019, PIA has revoked the conditionof presenting Credit/Debit Cards at the time of check-In. Therefore, now thepassengers are not required to present the credit/debit card nor submit any writtenguarantee letters.

47(c) In-line with the new business plan, PIA IT has embarked upon

following new initiatives to facilitate on-line payments and other improvements inIT infrastructure:-

i. PIA has engaged the Financial Industry including the leading banksand the Telcos to offer new payment channels to its passengers. Inthis regard a tender is in newspapers to integrate local paymentgateways and other payment channels like ATM, branch-less bankingand mobile wallets, are also being integrated.

ii. Up gradation of IT infrastructure of PIA, which was built upon10-15 years earlier and needs a complete overhaul, and in this regardlot of progress have been made. Tendering process for Core NetworkUpgrade, Disaster Recovery Site, and up-gradation of Internetbandwidth have been completed and the systems will be upgradedby June 2020.

iii. In order to ensure convenience of the passengers, PIA is also workingto introduce new Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS) by mid-2020, which help passengers to track their baggage journey andalso help airline to bring efficiency in the baggage management andalso to reduce losses due to baggage reclaims.

iv. Similarly, for the engineering system, a new Maintenance, Repairand Overhaul (MRO) system is at the implementation stage and inscheduled to go live by March 2020.

140. *Mr. James Iqbal:Will the Minister for Information and Broadcasting be pleased to statethe new steps taken by the Government so far for freedom ofjournalism in the country?Minister for Information and Broadcasting: Government believes in

free flow of information and freedom to report and does not believe in pressadvice and censorship. Government always welcomes the objective and healthycriticism from the media. Government expects self regulation by the media andbelieves in persuasive approach to implement code of ethics and conduct. Presscouncil of Pakistan which oversees the media landscape for any violation of ethicalvalues is a represented body of media and private sector. Liberal media policy of

48the government resulted in exponential growth of Newspapers, TV and RadioChannels in private sector.141. *Syed Agha Rafiullah:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division be pleased to state:(a) the number of vehicles, which are at the pool of each attacheddepartment and subordinate office and any otherdepartment under the administrative control of the CabinetDivision at present alongwith annual expenditure on account ofsuch vehicles for the last five years;(b) detail of each vehicle and the name of person alongwith postand grade who is using that vehicle at present;(c) whether authorities concerned have taken notice of misuse ofvehicles placed under each of above department contrary tomonetization of transport facility;(d) if so, whether any inquiry has been made in this regard; if so,the details thereof and what steps are being taken foraccountability of those responsible for such misuse of vehicles?Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division: (a) The question No.141 was forwarded to the attached Departments, Sub-ordinate Offices and otherOrganizations under the administrative control of Cabinet Division for the provisionof required details. The responses received from the respective Organizationshave been compiled and are enclosed herewith. Number of vehicles andmaintenance expenditure’s details for last five years may be perused at Annex-I.(b) 38 officers of NEPRA and 11 officers of PTDC who are notauthorized for the Transport Monetization Allowance are using the vehicles as pertheir entitiment and Organizational policy. Detail may be perused at Annex-II.(c) No such report from any of the Organization under the administrativecontrol of Cabinet Division, which has adopted the transport monetization policy,is received.(d) No action is required as report of misuse of official vehicles from theconcerned Departments / Organizations is nil.


49142. *Ms. Mehnaz Akber Aziz:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision be pleased to state:(a) total amount alongwith percentage of funds against budget

allocation released to Benazir Income Support Programme(BISP) during first three quarters of financial year 2018-19; and

(b) total disbursement by BISP to the target beneficiaries by 30thApril 2019 with break-up of expenditure on various componentsof BISP like Waseela-e-Taleem and Unconditional Cash Transfer(UCT) etc.?

Reply not received.143. *Ms. Rubina Irfan:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state:(a) how many scholarships, district-wise, were given to students from

Balochistan in the programme “Undergraduate IndigenousScholarships for Students of Balochistan and FATA Phase-II2018-2019”; and

(b) what was the criteria in this regard?Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training

(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) A total of 250 (two hundred and fifty) scholarshipswere awarded to students from Balochistan under the project titled “UndergraduateIndigenous scholarships for students of Balochistan and Fata Phase-II” during theyear 2018-2019. The district wise breakup is attached at “Annex-I”.

(b) The slots are allocated equally at ratio of 50:50 for the students ofBalochistan FATA. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of Local/Domicilecertificate from Balochistan/ FATA and District/Agency Quota. The candidatesare finally selected on the basis of HEC aptitude test score and academic merit.90% scholarships are awarded to all Districts of Balochistan, and FATA on quotabasis according to District Population and 10% scholarships for Balochistan/FATAOUT respectively.

50Annex-I

District wise distribution of undergraduate scholarships for Balochistan province——————————————————————————————

S. No. Name of District (Balochistan Province) No. of Scholarships——————————————————————————————

1 Kalat 82 Mastung 63 Khuzdar 144 Awaran 45 Washuk 46 Kharan/Rakhshan 37 Lasbela 118 Kech 149 Gwadar 6

10 Punjgur 811 Nasirabad 812 Jaffarabad 1513 Jhal Magsi 414 Bolan 1015 Quetta 2616 Pishin 1217 Killa Abdullah 1318 Chagai (Dalbandin) 419 Nushki 320 Sibi 421 Harnai 322 Ziarat 323 Kohlu 324 Dera Bugti 6

——————————————————————————————

51——————————————————————————————

S. No Name of District (Balochistan Province) No of Scholarships——————————————————————————————

25 Zhob 726 Sheerani 327 Loralai 828 Musa Khel 529 Barkhan 330 Killa Saifullah 731 Balochistan OUT (10% quota) 25

——————————————————————————————TOTAL 250

——————————————————————————————

ISLAMABAD: TAHIR HUSSAIN,The 12th December, 2019. Secretary.

PCPPI—4611(2019) NA—12-12-2019—600.

1Shoaib.M 6th Rota Day (2018) NA (US) PC-9

(17th Session)NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT

————“UNSTARRED QUESTIONS AND THEIR REPLIES”

For Friday, the 13th December, 201955. Mr. Saad Waseem:

(Deferred during 16th Session)Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and SocialSafety Division be pleased to state:(a) number of persons, who have been working in Pakistan Bait-ul-

Mal and its projects including Dar-ul-Ehsaas either on contractbasis contingency basis or ad-hoc basis at present alongwithdates of their appointments;

(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to place the services of aforesaid employees/personson regular basis;

(c) if so, the details; if not, the reasons thereof?Reply not received.

49. Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision be pleased to state:(a) total number of registered beneficiary of Benazir Income Support

Program from Chak No. 321 G.B Tehsil Pir Mahal, District TobaTek Singh;

(b) whether it is fact that some of the registered beneficiaries of theabove said area are deprived of facilities under the Program; ifso, the reasons thereof; and

2(c) the time by which these facilities will be restored?Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety

Division: (a) BISP provides UCT cash benefit to an adult ever married female(representing a family) possessing a valid CNIC within an “eligible” household asper BISP eligibility criteria approved by BISP Board.

Data of Tehsil Pir Mahal is not separately available as per Poverty ScoreCard survey data of 2010-11. However, the data of Tehsil Kamalia, indicates that7943 beneficiaries are registered in the Tehsil. Out of these 144 beneficiaries arerecorded as residents of Chak 321 G.B.

(b) Accounts of 12 registered beneficiaries shown as residents ofChak 321 G.B. are blocked.

(c) Reasons for blocking of accounts of beneficiaries are as follows:i. De-credit: non withdrawal from the account for a period of six months

leads to de-credit of a beneficiary’s account. This is done for securityreasons. Such beneficiaries need to be biometrically verified fromNADRA for restoration of their accounts.

ii. Sanity blocked: Beneficiary data was found mismatched betweenBISP and NADRA database and their accounts were blocked.

iii. Dead: Beneficiary was reported as dead.Suspicious reported by NADRA: In this case, NADRA reported

beneficiary as suspicious due to possession of two CNICs, non- national, alienand others.

(d) Timeline for restoration of facilities in each category varies.i. In the first category of de-credit beneficiaries, BISP has signed a

contract with NADRA for biometric verification of such beneficiariesat NADRA franchise network. Its implementation has started. Thede-credited beneficiaries can get themselves re-verified biometricallyfrom any NADRA franchise.

3ii. For the second category (sanity blocked cases), BISP has signed

a contract with NADRA under which blocked cases are beingreviewed with extended family details. The results of this exercisewill be available by January, 2020. Based on the results of thisexercise, decision on restoration of their accounts will be taken.

iii. For suspicious cases reported by NADRA, as and when NADRAclears the beneficiary flag, the beneficiary will have to bebiometrically verified under the contract between BISP andNADRA as mentioned in the first category.

50. Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan:Will the Minister for Federal Education and ProfessionalTraining be pleased refer to the Unstarred Question No. 36 repliedon 19-09-2019 and to state:(a) whether it is a fact that the implementation on Notification

No. 19-9/HEC/HR M/2013/2864 dated 21-01-2013 is keptpending by HEC Management, since 2013, if so reasonsthereof; and

(b) as to when the competent authority will decide the matterpending since 2013 regarding premature increment of BS 1-16 employees of the HEC alongwith reason for undue delay?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood): (a) As per provisions of Higher EducationCommission Employees (Recruitment) Rules 2009, the HEC employees servingin BPS: 1-16 were placed in next higher scale in the year 2013. However, thenotification could not materialize as the then Executive Director (PrincipalAccounting Officer) desired to first seek vetting/approval of the Commission,the governing body of the HEC, in this regard. The Commission, in its meetingheld on 29th April 2013, directed that the notification, issued earlier regardingplacement, may held in abeyance till final decision by the Commission,and constituted a Sub-Committee to thoroughly review the matter. The

4Committee met on 10th Dec. 2014 and deliberated on the matter, however itcouldn’t reach a final decision with consensus. Therefore, the matter gotdelayed.

(b) The matter is being re-examined and will be referred to theCommission in its forthcoming meeting to be held in 1st quarter of the year 2020for final decision, and decision of the Commission will be implemented accordingly.51. Mr. Saad Waseem:

Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state:(a) the details of public/private schools in Islamabad Capital

Territory wherein concession in fees have been given to siblingstudents during the last five years till date; and

(b) the details of public/private schools where such concession willbe given in near future; if not, the reasons thereof?

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training(Mr. Shafqat Mahmood):: (a) Islamabad Capital Territory PrivateEducational Institutions Regulatory Authority (ICT-PEIRA) deals with registration,regulation and functioning of Private Educational Institutions offering education upto Intermediate / ‘A’ Level or equivalent level in Islamabad Capital Territory only.At present, no such data pertaining to concession in fees to sibling students isbeing maintained by the Authority (PEIRA). However to collect the required data,instructions have been issued to all private schools (copy enclosed) to providerequisite information within 15 days to enable this Authority to prepare and submitconsolidated report.

(b) In addition to the above at serial a, efforts shall be made to prepareconsolidated report on both accounts i.e. concession in fees to sibling students inprivate schools of Islamabad for last five years as well as where such concessionwill be given in near future.

5Most Immediate

National Assembly Business8-1/PEIRA/Acad/NA-Business/PEIs/2019

Government of PakistanMinistry of Federal Education and Professional Training

Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA)*******

Islamabad: the 5th December, 2019.Subject: Request to Provide Data With Regard to Concession in Fees

Given to Sibling Students During Last 5 Years.I am directed to state that National Assembly Secretariat has directed

Islamabad Capital Territory - Private Educational Institutions RegulatoryAuthority (ICT-PEIRA) to provide data pertaining to concession in fees beinggiven to sibling students during last five (05) years as well as where suchconcession will be given in near future.

2. In order to comply the above referred instructions, managementsof all private schools operating in Islamabad Capital Territory are requestedto provide requisite information within 15 days to enable this Authority(PEIRA) to prepare and submit consolidated report accordingly.

With Best Regards,Sd/-

(Waqas Ul Hassan)Assistant Research Officer

(PEIRA)The PrincipalsPrivate Educational InstitutionsIslamabad Capital Territory, Islamabad.

Copy for information:PA to Chairperson (ICT-PEIRA).

652. Syed Agha Rafiullah:

Will the Minister for Aviation Division be pleased to state:(a) the number of vehicles which are at the pool of each Division,

Attached Department and subordinate offices and any otherdepartment which comes under the administrative control ofthe Ministry at present along with annual expenditure of suchvehicles for the last five years;

(b) the name and designation of person using each vehicle atpresent;

(c) whether authorities concerned have taken notice of misuse ofvehicles placed under each department in contrary tomonetization of transport facility at large scale;

(d) if so, whether any inquiry has been made in this regard; if so,the details thereof; and what steps are being taken to holdaccountable if someone finds responsible of such misuse ofvehicles?

Minister for Aviation Division (Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan): (a), (b),(c) & (d) Details of replies in respect of Aviation Division and its attachedorganizations is given below:1. Aviation Division (Annexure-I)2. Civil Aviation Authority (Annexure-II)3. Airports Security Force (Annexure-III)4. Pakistan International Airline Limited (Annexure-IV)5. Pakistan Meteorological Department (Annexure- V)

(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)53. Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak:

Will the Minister for Climate Change be pleased to state:(a) how many tons of Cigarette Butts/Filters wind up as toxic trash

in Pakistan each year;

7(b) how much wood is used annually for tobacco curing each year;(c) facts about the rate per annum of the deaths of marine life caused

by swallowing cigarette litter; and(d) facts about the annual rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide due

to cigarettes smoke and the steps taken to check and control it?Minister of State for Climate Change (Ms. Zartaj Gul): (a), (b), (c)

& (d) Ministry of Climate Change has not carried out, as such, any studies so farin this regard.54. Ms. Rubina Irfan:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social SafetyDivision be pleased to state:(a) the funds allocated for ”Ehsaas” programme in the financial year

2019-20;(b) the percentage of above said funds which are to be utilized in

Balochistan?Reply not received.

55. Ms. Uzma Riaz:Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and SocialSafety Division be pleased to state:(a) detail of funds allocated under the Poverty Alleviation Fund

since 2013 with year-wise break-up; and(b) the amount of such funds allocated for provinces during the said

period alongwith year-wise details? Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social

Safety Division: (a) Details of funds allocated since 2013 with year-wise break-up(Annex-A).

8(b) The amount of such funds allocated for provinces during the said

period alongwith year-wise details (Annex-B).(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)

56. Ms. Uzma Riaz:Will the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training bepleased to state whether there is any proposal under consideration ofthe Government to initiate school education reforms in rural/backwardareas of the country in collaboration with the ProvincialGovernments; if so, its details?Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training (Mr.

Shafqat Mahmood: Yes, A proposal is under consideration in consultation withMinistry of Planning, Development & Reforms and Finance Division to provideadditional grants to the deprived / dis-advantaged districts for specific interventions,with the consent of respective Provinces.

The objective of this programme is to improve the quality of education inthe dis-advantaged / deprived areas.57. Ch. Muhammad Hamid Hameed:

Will the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunicationbe pleased to state:(a) is there any mechanism at place to evaluate and reconcile tax

deduction by e-commerce websites/web-portals on differentproducts on behalf of Government; if so, the details thereof;and

(b) is there any proposal under consideration to carry out audit ofsuch websites/web-portals and their official partners and makethem accountable?

Transferred to Revenue Division for answer on Next Rota Day.

958. Choudhary Faqir Ahmad:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Establishment Division be pleasedto state:(a) whether it is a fact that the Federal Employees Benevolent &

Group Insurance Funds (FEB & GIF) has restricted the limitfor education fee reimbursement at Rupees fifty thousand persemester;

(b) whether it is also a fact that instead of photocopy, the FEB &GIF demands original transcript of result of each semester forwhich Universities charge Rs. 700/- for each print: and

(c) whether it is further a fact that the last semester’s fee is not re-imbursed despite the fact that the millions of rupees are deductedeach month from the salaries of employees?

Minister In-charge of the Establishment Division: (a) Yes it is a factthat reimbursement of Actual semester / annual fees upto a maximum of Rs. 100,000per annum is made under Rule 25-A of FEB & GIF Rules. 1972 (Annex-I) to theFederal Government employees whose children got admission on merit in publicsector universities in the disciplines of Medical, Engineering, IT. Business Studies,Architecture and D-Pharmacy. However, fee is reimbursed for whole academicyear either examination is annual or semester wise.

(b) It is not a fact that FEB & GIF only accept original result. Thebeneficiary may either provide original transcript of result or photocopy of transcript/result duly verified by the concerned officer or the authorized officer of the university/college/institute/Board to avoid fake/bogus claims.

(c) No it is not a fact that last semester’s fee is not reimbursed. The feeis reimbursed for whole tenure / period of professional study but not for the semester/year in which the student fails in one or more subject. Last semester’s fee isreimbursed on the basis of previous immediate result. For instance the fee of 8thsemester (last semester in case degree is of 4 years) is reimbursed on the basis ofresult of 7th semester).


10@59. Mr. Saad Waseem:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division be pleased tostate:(a) whether PTA being a regulator, has taken notice that cellular

companies could not extend its 3G and 4G Technology indifferent localities/areas, which comprise NA-137, Kasur; ifso, the details thereof; and

(b) what steps are being taken by the Government to pursue cellularcompanies, as per agreement to extend the services of 3G and4G Technology?

Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division: (a) PTA has issued cellularmobile licenses with mandatory rollout obligations for all Cellular Mobile Operators(CMOs). Accordingly, rollout plans are being implemented by CMOs to providecoverage in each District and Tehsil. Rollout plans provide maximum facilitation tothe general public and are implemented in letter and spirit, rather additional areashave been covered over and above the planned coverage in certain time frame.Rollout obligations in general are i.e. 70% of DHQs and 50% of THQs in acertain period of time.

Although PTA vigorously pursue the enhancement of network coverageof cellular operators, but at times, the same prioritize areas as per commercialfeasibility remaining within the license conditions Currently, approximately 636cell phone towers are installed in the referred District and all CMOs are providingadequate voice and data services, as per details at Annex ‘A’.

(b) Regular monitoring is being done by PTA to ensure license conditionsbeing fulfilled by CMOs Verification of claims of cellular operators in terms of 3G/4G coverage w.r.t services in a particular area.

On ground technical surveys to ensure implementation of policies of GoP.(Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library)

____________________________________________________________@ Transferred from Information Technology and Telecommunication Division.

1160. Syed Imran Ahmad Shah:

Will the Minister In-charge of the Establishment Division be pleasedto state:(a) whether it is a fact that only locals are appointed against Class IV

vacancies;(b) if so, the detail of domiciles of Class IV employees in Federal

Government autonomous and semi autonomous departmentsin Sindh, at present;

(c) the total number of persons appointed against Class IV vacancies in Federal Government Departments in Sindh duringthe present Government?

Minister In-charge of the Establishment Division: (a) Rule 16 of theCivil Servants (Appointment, Promotion & Transfer) rules, 1973 provides that“Vacancies in posts in basic pay scales 1 to 5 and equivalent shall ordinarily befilled on local basis through balloting (Annex-I).

(b) Most of the autonomous bodies have their own pay scales which aredifferent from basic pay scales. Total No. of employees working in autonomousbodies from BS 1-5 or equivalent is given below (details at Annex-II).____________________________________________________________

BS or equivalent Number of Employees Workingin Autonomous/Semi-autonomous Bodies/

Corporations in Sindh for 2018-19_____________________________________________________________

1-5 11589____________________________________________________________Detail of domiciles of BS 1-5 employees in Federal Government autonomous andsemi-autonomous departments in Sindh is not readily available.

(c) According to Annual Statistical Bulletin for 2018-19, the totalClass-IV (BS 1-5) civil servants working in offices located in Sindh are givenbelow (details at Annex-III).

12____________________________________________________________

BS Federal Government Civil Servants for 2018-19____________________________________________________________

1-5 10467______________________________________________________________

Total number of persons appointed against Class-IV vacancies in FederalGovernment departments in Sindh during the present government is not readilyavailable.

However, letters have been issued to all Ministries / Divisions/ for collectionof required information about domiciles as well as new recruitments during thepresent government (Annex-IV).

(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)61. Mr. Muhammad Hashim Notezai:

Will the Minister for Aviation Division be pleased to state reason forclosure of service of Foker Aeroplane of PIA from Dalbandin viaTurbat to Karachi?Minister for Aviation Division (Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan): PIA

was operating twice weekly flights on Karachi-Turbat-Dalbandin-Karachi route.However, these flights were contributing huge losses on PIA’s Direct OperatingCost (which is the minimum bench mark to justify an operation). Thus incurringlosses to PIA as well as national exchequer, therefore, PIA had no option left butto suspend this operation in December, 2018.

In line with the route restructuring process and in view of prevailing fleetconstraints, PIA cannot consider the resumption of flights on Dalbandin-Turbatroute at this time.

However, PIA is keeping a constant eye on market indicators, traffic trendsprevalent on this route, and will take necessary steps to reinstate these flightsbased on commercial merit, economic viability and availability of fleet.

ISLAMABAD: TAHIR HUSSAIN,The 12th December, 2019. Secretary.

PCPPI—4911(2019) NA—12-12-2019—600.

*ms. shagufta jumani(ii) bisp board has approved the expansion of waseela-e-taleem (cct on primary...

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