(4th Session) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT “QUESTIONS FOR … · (4th Session) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT ————— “QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES”

1

(4th Session)

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 16th August, 2013

32. *Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho:

Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:

(a) the district-wise total number of registered Afghan Refugeespresently residing in the country at present; and

(b) the steps being taken by the Government to repatriate thoseAfghan Refugees?

Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd) AbdulQadir Baloch): (a) The district-wise total number of registered Afghan refugeespresently residing in the country is 1.621 million. District-wise population is attachedat Annex-I.

(b) There exists a Tripartite Agreement between the Governments ofAfghanistan & Pakistan and the UNHCR, according to which the repatriation ofAfghan refugees is on “voluntary” basis. Previous deadline of the said Agreementwas 31st December, 2012 that now stands extended till approval of the newNational Policy for Afghan Refugees (July 2013 to December 2015) by the Cabinet.

Voluntarism and gradualism are the guiding principles embedded in thesaid agreement. Since 2002, more than 3.8 million Afghan refugees have beenrepatriated to their home country on voluntary basis. It is mentioned that voluntaryrepatriation is considered to be the most preferred and viable solution of the Afghanrefugees protracted issue.

2

To deal with the repatriation of the present 1.6 million registered AfghanRefugees, a new Policy has been formulated in consultation with the concernedstakeholders in the Federal & Provincial Governments and is under submission tothe Cabinet for consideration. The Policy suggests multiple actions aiming at (i)creating conditions conducive for voluntary repatriation in areas of high return; (ii)creation of livelihood opportunities in Afghanistan to facilitate return; and (iii)resettlement in third country.

Unlike the previous practice of winter breaks, the Voluntary RepatriationCenters set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Balochistan now remain operationalthroughout the calender year to facilitate and maximize voluntary repatriation.

To encourage and motivate the Afghan refugees to repatriate, therepatriation package of US$ 100 per returnee has been enhanced to US$ 150from January, 2011; with free transportation. Efforts are being made to furtherenhance this package.

The Government of Afghanistan has identified 48 reintegration sites atvarious secure places for returning Afghan refugees. They are being persuaded fordevelopmental initiatives in the said sites to attract maximum number of Afghanrefugees.

The international community has been and is being pursued effectively andcontinuously on each available fora for enhanced and continued support to ensuremaximum repatriation and no effort or opportunity is spared to resolve theprotracted issue of Afghan refugees amicably as early as possible.

Annex-I

Remaining Registered Afghans in Pakistan by District as of30th June, 2013

——————————————————————————————Province District No. of Individuals

——————————————————————————————KPK Peshawar 401,134KPK Nowshera 99,014KPK Haripur 98,062KPK Kohat 67,400KPK Mansehra 58,922

——————————————————————————————

3


——————————————————————————————KPK Swabi 55,212KPK Hangu 48,998KPK Mardan 30,028KPK Lower Dir 27,397KPK Charsadda 23,767KPK Abbottabad 18,564KPK Buner 9,787KPK Lakki Marwat 9,540KPK D. I. Khan 9,435KPK Malakand P Area 8,074KPK Bannu 7,136KPK Chitral 6,543KPK Swat 1,860KPK Dir 1,756KPK Karak 1,558KPK Tank 1,496KPK Upper Dir 1,435KPK Batagram 133KPK T A Adj Bannu 31KPK Kohistan 12KPK Shangla 3KPK T A Adj Peshawar 2

——————————————————————————————Total Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 987,299

——————————————————————————————FATA Khyber Agency 8,754FATA Mohmand Agency 3,067FATA S Waziristan Agency 2,497FATA Bajaur Agency 332FATA N Waziristan Agency 293FATA Kurram Agency 13FATA Orakzai Agency 1

——————————————————————————————Total FATA 14,957

——————————————————————————————

4


——————————————————————————————Northern Areas Gilgit 12Northern Areas Diamir 3Northern Areas Baltistan 1

——————————————————————————————Total Northern Areas 16

——————————————————————————————Sindh Malir 24,136Sindh Karachi 22,430Sindh Karachi East 15,168Sindh Karachi West 2,713Sindh Karachi Central 1,540Sindh Karachi South 632Sindh Hyderabad 341Sindh Karachi Malir 221Sindh Sanghar 27Sindh Badin 10Sindh Kambar Shandad Kot 7Sindh Nawab Shah 6Sindh Ghotki 2Sindh Mirpur Khas 2Sindh Matiari 1Sindh Sukkur 1Sindh Tando Allahyar 1

——————————————————————————————Total Sindh 67,238

——————————————————————————————Punjab Attock 40,480Punjab Rawalpindi 35,704Punjab Mianwali 30,944Punjab Chakwal 26,613Punjab Lahore 10,587Punjab Gujrat 8,976Punjab Sialkot 6,102Punjab Khushab 5,378Punjab Jhelum 5,018Punjab Mandi Bahauddin 2,642

——————————————————————————————

5


——————————————————————————————Punjab Gujranwala 2,236Punjab Sargodha 1,480Punjab Bhakkar 1,259Punjab Faisalabad 754Punjab Rahim Yar Khan 360Punjab Hafizabad 303Punjab Sheikhupura 170Punjab Jhang 164Punjab Leiah 150Punjab Narowal 134Punjab Kasur 131Punjab Rajanpur 81Punjab Bahawalpur 58Punjab Multan 57Punjab Pakpattan 53Punjab Vehari 46Punjab Dera Ghazi Khan 33Punjab Muzaffargarh 30Punjab Khanewal 25Punjab Sahiwal 9Punjab Toba Tek Singh 7Punjab Bahawalnagar 3Punjab Nankana Sahib 2Punjab Okara 1

——————————————————————————————Total Punjab 67,238

——————————————————————————————Islamabad Islamabad 34,124

——————————————————————————————Total Islamabad 34,124

——————————————————————————————Balochistan Quetta 176,138Balochistan Pishin 60,676Balochistan Chagai 34,445Balochistan Killa Saifullah 18,026Balochistan Loralai 17,883Balochistan Killa Abdullah 16,519

——————————————————————————————

6


——————————————————————————————Balochistan Mastung 2,671Balochistan Zhob 1,969Balochistan Kalat 1,447Balochistan Lasbela 256Balochistan Khuzdar 206Balochistan Bolan 170Balochistan Panjgur 104Balochistan Nushki 86Balochistan Ziarat 82Balochistan Sibbi 27Balochistan Dera Bugti 16Balochistan Sherani 9Balochistan Barkhan 7Balochistan Kharan 6Balochistan Musakhel 5Balochistan Jaffarabad 2Balochistan Jhal Magsi 2Balochistan Nasirabad 2Balochistan Washuk 2

——————————————————————————————Total Balochistan 330,756

——————————————————————————————Azad Kashmir Mirpur 3,947Azad Kashmir Kotli 863Azad Kashmir Poonch 546Azad Kashmir Muzaffarabad 485Azad Kashmir Bagh 395Azad Kashmir Bhimber 160Azad Kashmir Sudhnoti 52

——————————————————————————————Total Azad Kashmir 6,448

——————————————————————————————Grand Total 1,620,828

——————————————————————————————

7

33. *S. A. Iqbal Qadri:

Will the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination be pleased to state:

(a) the year-wise total number of tourists visited the country duringthe last three years;

(b) whether the facility of transport is made available to the tourists;and

(c) whether any security arrangements are made for tourists by theMinistry in the country; if so, the details thereof?

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz HussainPirzada): (a) Total number of tourists visited Pakistan during the last three years——————————————————————————————

Year Number of Tourists——————————————————————————————

2010 906,818*2011 966,277**2012 1,161,245**

——————————————————————————————

(b) Yes, the transport facility is made available to the tourists oncommercial basis by the tour operators.

(c) Security arrangements are made for the safety of tourists by theprovincial Governments and Ministry of Interior under respective laws.

34. *Sheikh Salahuddin:

Will the Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry be pleased tostate the steps being taken to improve the export of Pakistani productsin existing as well as new markets?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: Through active tradediplomacy, Government is trying to get better market access for the local businessesin international markets by concluding Free Trade Agreements (PTAs) andPreferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with different countries.

8

The steps taken to improve export of Pakistani products to the new andexisting markets of different regions are enumerated below:

Americas:

In order to improve export of Pakistani products, Commerce Division incollaboration with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Office haveconducted one seminar and three web based interactions during the last 12 monthsto educate exporters on the opportunities available under US Generalized Systemof Preferences (GSP) Scheme.

2nd US-Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference was held on 25-26June, 2013 in Dubai, U.A.E. The Conference provided an opportunity to US andPakistani businessmen/investors to interact and enter into business deals.

With the approval of Federal Cabinet Commerce Division has forwardeddraft text of Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of CommercePakistan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of theArgentine Republic in the field of trade promotion and technology transfer ininternational trade. The MoU would be signed during the next high level visit fromeither side.

Commerce Division has constituted a Joint Study Group (JSG) with Chileto explore possibilities of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAPTA)

To enhance regional trade, SAPTA was signed on April 11, 1993 at Dhakato provide preferential tariff concession on regional imports of member countries.Later, the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was signed duringthe 12th SAARC Summit held at Islamabad on January 6, 2004. The Agreementwas enforced w.e.f. July 1, 2006. Presently, SAARC Member States are in theprocess of reducing their Sensitive Lists under SAFTA. A Sub-Group on Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) has also been established in order to effectively addressthe issue of NTMs including Standards, Testing and Certification.

Pakistan-India Trade Normalization Process

Pakistan and India are in process of normalizing bilateral trade relationsunder resumed Composite Dialogue. As a first step, Negative List of 1209 tariff

9

lines has been notified. With the phasing out of Negative List by December 31,2012, complete trade normalization with India will be in place subject to the removalof the Non-Tariff Barriers by the Indian government.

Pakistan Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA)

Pakistan concluded a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka onAugust 1, 2002, which is effective since June 12, 2005. Under the bilateral FreeTrade Agreement, both sides have agreed to establish a Free Trade Area throughelimination of tariffs on the movement of goods.

The future roadmap to enhance cooperation includes incorporation of thefollowing Chapters in the Agreement to be called as;

i. Trade in Services

ii. Investment

iii. Customs Cooperation

Pakistan-Bangladesh, Trade

A MOU has been signed between the erstwhile Export Promotion Bureau,Pakistan (now TDAP) and Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh on February13, 2006 at Islamabad. Under the MoU, both countries had agreed to exchangeeconomic and commercial information as well as assistance in organizing tradefairs and trade delegations. Under the said MoU, Export Promotion Bureau ofBangladesh has been providing a complimentary pavilion to TDAP at DhakaInternational Trade Fair (DITF) every year.

Pakistan-Nepal Trade

The decision to commence negotiations on the proposed FTA betweenPakistan & Nepal was taken during visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s toNepal in 2004. Subsequently, Cabinet accorded approval for negotiation withNepal on FTA in 2005. A Meeting of the Joint Expert Group to commencenegotiations on Pak-Nepal FTA is proposed in August, 2013. Simultaneouslydraft agreement, no concession list and offer lists are also being prepared inconsultation with stakeholders.

10

Middles East & African Region:

Pakistan is a member of Preferential Trade Agreement among the D-8Muslim countries comprising Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria,and Turkey. The Cabinet in its meeting held on 8th December, 2011 approved theratification of the Agreement.

Currently Pakistan and Mauritius have an operational Preferential TradeAgreement leading towards a Free Trade Agreement. Since 2008 three meetingshave been held to convert this PTA into an FTA.

Ministry of Commerce is also pursuing PTA with Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan,Libya, South African Customs Union and East African Community.

Trade Preferential System of Organization of Islamic Conference(TPS-OIC) has been signed and operationalized among OIC member states during2011.

Pakistan being a member of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)signed the Agreement of Rules of Origin in Sep., 2008 and the same was ratifiedby the Cabinet on 2nd Dec., 2011.

Pakistan is negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with GCC and two roundsof negotiations have been held already.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is undertakingvarious export promotional activities through trade exhibitions and delegations inthe countries of our export interest.

35. *Shaista Pervaiz:

Will the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan be pleasedto state the steps taken by the Government for bringing the status ofKashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan at par with other Federating Units andconferring similar constitutional rights during the last three years tilldate?

11

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan (Mr. MuhammadBarjees Tahir):

Reply regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The status of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) is of a disputed territory.The issue of Kashmir needs to be resolved in the light of UN Resolutions. Theterritory of AJ&K has not been constitutionally declared as part of the Federation.The Government of Pakistan cannot declare the territory as province as it wouldbe detrimental to the international commitments of Pakistan regarding Plebisciteon Kashmir in the light of UN Resolutions.

2. However, the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to provideautonomy to the people of AJ&K include the following measures.

i. The interim Constitution Act of AJ&K-1974

ii. Under this Act, Govt. AJ&K has a separate legislative Assembly,while some legislative subjects have been entrusted exclusively toAJ&K Council as per Third Schedule of AJ&K Interim ConstitutionAct, 1974. Prime Minister of Pakistan is the Chairman of AJ&KCouncil.

Reply regarding Gilgit-Baltistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan comprising Gilgit and Baltistan region, after its liberationfrom the Dogra rule in 1947, have been governed under various governance models.The first noticeable administrative improvement came through the Northern AreasLegal Framework Order, 1975 wherein major administrative, judicial and politicalreforms were introduced. To ensure more internal autonomy further democratizationwas done through th e Northern Areas Legal Framework Order, 1994. The electedrepresentatives of the people were thus taken closer to a democratic and justsystem. Amendments to the Order of 1994 were also made in 1999 to 2007.

The last democratic government banking on the efforts started in 1975and furthered in 1994 decided to consolidate the democratic process further andto bring the area at par with the Provinces of Pakistan. The then Prime Minister ofPakistan was therefore, pleased to constitute a High Powered Committee to evolvea system of governance under which maximum devolution of keeping in view thespecial status of the area and the international commitments of the Government ofPakistan.

12

The Government of Pakistan enacted Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment ofand self Governance) Order, 2009 in the meaner explained here under:

1. The Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan Division prepared a draft Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009 basedon the above policy parameters. The draft was discussed with allstakeholders whose views were incorporated to further improve thedocuments. Finally, the Order was vetted by the Law and JusticeDivision, Islamabad and presented to Federal Cabinet for approval.Thereafter assent of the President’s was obtained.

2. Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self Governance) Order, 2009is a major improvement/development, over all past efforts.

3. Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009provides for

(i) Fundamental rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan

(ii) A complete judicial set up and

(iii) Separate Legislative Assembly on the pattern of ProvincialGovernments.

36. *Syed Asif Hasnain:

Will the Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry be pleased tostate:

(a) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to export Wheat and Rice during the current year;

(b) if so, the names of the countries thereof?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: (a) Pakistan AgricultureStorage & Services Corporation Limited (PASSCO), Ministry of National FoodSecurity & Research, Government of Pakistan has signed an agreement withGovernment Trading Corporation of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran on 21stNovember, 2012 for the export of 1.0 million MT of wheat as under:—

13

Quanti in million MT——————————————————————————————

On Government to Government basis 0.1Through Private Sector 0.9

—————————————————————————————— Total 1.0

——————————————————————————————

The export has not yet been materialized. Necessary formalities are beingworked out.

It is pertinent to mention that the export of wheat & rice is allowed underExport Policy Order 2013. Wheat and rice are generally being exported by privatesector. During the July-March, 2012-13 (latest available data), the total quantityalongwith value of wheat and rice exported is as under:———————————————————————————————

Product July-March 2012-13——————————————

Quantity ValueMT 000US$

——————————————————————————————Wheat 147,829 46,566Rice 2,494,445 1,386,780

——————————————————————————————

(b) The names of the countries to whom wheat and rice have beenexported are at Annex-I & Annex-II respectively.

(Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library)

37. *Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana:

Will the Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry be pleased tostate the country-wise names of the items exported by Pakistan whosevolume continuously increased during the last five years?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: The country-wise ofthe items exported by Pakistan whose volume continuously increased during thelast five years are placed at Annex-A.

14

Annexure-A

Pakistan’s Exports items whose volume continously increased during thelast five years

Value in thousand US$———————————————————————————————————————————

2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012Commodity ————————————————————————————

000 US$ 000 US$ 000 US$ 000 US$ 000 US$———————————————————————————————————————————

CRUDE ANIMAL MATERIAL 20960 25747 28291 42232 63344

Germany 5849 6549 8492 14593 20315

Romania 3326 3948 4820 6277 12236

Poland 363 1072 1751 2843 5179

Austria 14 47 294 348

FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS 11976 15803 39166 46276 55827

Afghanistan 2450 3352 5402 7689 15779

FRUITS 145760 159833 239387 292422 358255

Afghanistan 3342 27793 56561 91348 132597

India 34335 39736 43805 44645 57081

Russian Federation 8134 9856 23511 25044 40420

U.S.America 2404 2950 3108 5798 7734

Sri Lanka 863 876 1502 1691 1947

Belgium 196 338 696 890 988

Japan 123 146 152 256 459

Australia 98 281 309 364 428

Malawi 1 2 3 23

MARBLES AND STONES 13459 14662 23979 41184 53835

China 6559 6860 15760 30677 34899

Saudi Arabia 394 698 729 867 1173

OTHER ELECTRICAL MACHINERY 38231 41432 42005 50192 53571

Afghanistan 13176 22643 25385 28384 35816

PLASTIC MATERIALS 211573 212003 270073 405955 457144

Jordan 10 130 1446 1905 4764

Qatar 5 25 32 2031 3478

U.R.of Tanzania 115 333 877 1067 1149

Singapore 2 13 159 175 191

RAW COTTON 70122 87328 195598 364802 462247

SPICES(INCL. CHILLIES) 27093 32497 40945 50384 51989

United Kingdom 3020 3622 4015 5500 5698

Australia 577 634 735 966 1293

Germany 111 133 191 210 431

France 55, 90 131 204 241

Greece 72 95 112 154 190

TOBACCO UN-MANUFACTURED 6943 11881 13706 24338 28884

Belgium 89 165 643 1567 2099———————————————————————————————————————————Source: PBS

15

38. *Choudhry Muhammad Shahbaz Babar:


(a) the reasons for recent poor performance of the players ofPakistan Cricket Team; and

(b) the steps being taken to improve the performance of players?

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz HussainPirzada): (a) The reason of poor performance of the Pakistan Team was due tothe poor batting displayed by the top order batsmen. Despite opportunities providedby PCB to the players to acclimatize with the conditions in England prior to theevent, the batsmen could not perform to their potential.

(b) All the players have been given a task to improve their technique andskills and they are also being monitored by our National Coaches who are alsoworking extremely hard to rectify their problems.

39. *Syed Waseem Hussain:

Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the names of the countries in which there is no PakistaniAmbassador at present alongwith the reasons thereof; and

(b) whether the difficulties of Pakistanis in such countries are beingresolved; if so, the precribed procedure thereof?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: Out of 87 following 13 Ambassadorialassignments are vacant at present.——————————————————————————————S. No. Mission Vacant Remarks / Replacements——————————————————————————————

1. Abu Dhabi2. Athens3. Bangkok Dr. Sohail Khan is completing his pre departure

formalities.4. Buenos Aires

——————————————————————————————

16

——————————————————————————————S. No. Mission Vacant Remarks / Replacements——————————————————————————————

5. Dakar

6. Hanoi

7. Mexico

8. Washington

9. Vienna

10. Pyongyang

11. Tehran

12. Oslo

13. Muscat——————————————————————————————

These Missions are vacant either due to retirement of the officers of theForeign Service of Pakistan, or due to resignation tendered by a few contractAmbassadors. New Ambassadors are being considered for posting to thesecountries.

(b) Other Officers and staff posted at these Embassies are working underthe supervision of Charge d’ Affairs. Problems and difficulties of Pakistanis inthese countries are being addressed appropriately.

40. *Naeema Kishwar Khan:

Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human ResourceDevelopment be pleased to state:

(a) whether any quota fixed by the foreign countries for Pakistanilabourers for the year 2013-14;

(b) if so, the province-wise details alongwith the prescribedprocedure thereof?

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human ResourceDevelopment (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a) & (b) The foreigncountries have not fixed any quota for Pakistani labourers for the year 2013-14.

17

41. *Mr. Sher Akbar Khan:


(a) the problems being faced by Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia atpresent; and

(b) the steps being taken by the Government to solve those problems?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) Major problems being faced byexpatriate workers in Saudi Arabia are discussed as under:

a. Labour Disputes with Employers

(i) Overseas Pakistani workers submit a large number ofapplications in this Mission pertaining to problems with theirSponsors. Problems generally relate to non-implementation ofmutually agreed upon contractual obligations, including salary,food and medical allowance and non renewal of Iqama etc.

(ii) The Saudi employers do not recognize the Foreign ServiceAgreement (FSA) executed between an economic migrant andan Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP) in Pakistan.Therefore, an economic migrant worker has to enter into anew FSA with the employer, after his arrival in the Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia, which is usually less favourable to the migrantworker.

(iii) In some cases the Employers complain of problems with theirworkers, as the workers on arrival don’t actually possess theskills which they claim to possess.

b. Residential and Work Permit Related Problems (Legal Status).

(i) Many Overseas Pakistani workers, especially those who arrivein the Kingdom on “unencumbered / Free Visa”, face difficultiesin the arrangement of residential-cum-work permit (Iqama),by their Employers.

18

(ii) In most cases, an Iqama is provided to migrant worker by hisEmployer after payment of an Iqama fee, amounting to SaudiRiyals 2,400/- although according to the Saudi Laws this feehas to be paid by the Employer himself.

(iii) In some cases, despite payment of this illegally levied fee by anEmployer, a worker is not provided with Residential-cum-WorkPermit (Iqama) in a timely manner. The worker remains illegaland is under fear of arrest by the Immigration Authorities, duringthis period. Payment of Iqama fee by a migrant worker is anillegal act putting an unbearable extra burden on the overseasworker.

c. Health Related Problems

(i) Medical treatment in the host country is very expensive andgenerally remains unaffordable for ordinary workers. In casesof accidents; where the unfortunate worker requires prolongedhospitalization, the cost of treatment becomes prohibitive andunaffordable for the individual.

(ii) In such cases assistance is sought from the philanthropiccommunity members or other charitable organizations, causingmental agony to the individual and delays in treatment.

(iii) The hospital authorities are very strict in the Kingdom and donot discharge the patient until the dues are cleared. The chargesalso keep on mounting on daily basis often leading toembarrassing situations, where even the dead body is notreleased by the hospitals, pending clearance of outstanding dues.Though host government has made the medical insurancecompulsory for each worker but small companies and personscoming on free visas don’t have insurance coverage. In somecases the insurance coverage doesn’t extend to injuries sustainedin road traffic accidents.

d. Problems Related to Education of Children

(i) Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia face many problems related tograduate and postgraduate education of their children. The

19

Pakistan International Schools and other International schoolsin the Kingdom provide education up to intermediate or “A”levels. The local Universities in the public sector don’t allowadmissions to the expatriate students. The well to do familiessend their children to Europe or North America but the middleclass and lower middle class families send their children toPakistan for higher education. The seats in the public sectorUniversities in Pakistan, reserved for the expatriate Pakistanis,are limited and these students face a lot of difficulties inadmission.

e. Delays in Judicial System

(i) The workers who file their cases against their employers in thelabour Courts have to wait for many months and at times years,in final adjudication.

(ii) In cases of accidental deaths or murder of an overseasPakistani, the legal heirs can either appoint their own attorneyor the Embassy of Pakistan as their attorney in pursuing thecases of blood money/Diyat. Considerable delay is involved incompleting the cumbersome procedure of documentation inorder to admit the case to Shariah Courts. Thereafter, it takesa lot of time for fixation of Court hearings and final adjudication.

f. Problems of Pakistani Prisoners

(i) 1014 Pakistanis are imprisoned in various jails imprisoned within the consular jurisdiction of Embassy of Pakistan Riyadh whoare confronted with numerous problems.

(ii) Dozens of Pakistanis await deportation after completion of theirterm of punishment. Usually, delay in receipt of complete record/orders of superior courts is cited as a reason for delay in theirdeportation.

(iii) It has been observed that during investigations, some Pakistaniprisoners are asked to sign confessionary statements preparedin Arabic by Police authorities. They are made to sing

20

statements, contents of which are no known to them due tonon-familiarity with Arabic language.

(iv) Delay in initiating of trial of detained Pakistan nationals.

g. Problems in Sending Remittances to Pakistan

(i) Previously, the Overseas Pakistanis were facing a number ofproblems regarding sending their Foreign Earnings to Pakistan,through official channels, due to non availability of Pakistanibanks in the Kingdom of Saudi/Arabia. However, due to theopening of a National Bank branch at Riyadh and start of PRI-Pakistan Remittance Initiative, the problem has been addressedto some extent.

(ii) Still, relatively slow delivery through official channels, restrictivepolicies of the host government to discourage outflow of capitalabroad (transfer of money must match the job) and swift deliveryof money through Hundi (Hawala) Operators etc also encouragethe workers to use the informal channels.

h. Delay in Preparation of Legal Documents in Diyat Cases.

(i) In cases where an Overseas Pakistani worker dies in a road/traffic accident and the police report establishes the guilt of theother party for causing the accident , the legal heir of thedeceased are entitled to claim Diyat money up to maximum of300,000/- Saudi Riyals. For filing a claim, they have to presentSuccession Certificate, Guardianship Certificate (if a legal heiris minor) and a Power of Attorney from all the legal heirsexecuted in favour of this Mission or any one of their relativestaying in the KSA. The preparation of the legal documents bya competent court of law in Pakistan is a cumbersome and timeconsuming proposition, which results in an inordinate delay inclaiming the Diyat money.

i. Problems Faced in Increasing the Savings.

(i) Pakistani expatriates generally face difficulties in identifying areliable scheme for the investment of their hard earned moneyin their home country.

21

j. Categorization of Pakistani Expatriates as Foreigners for thePurpose of Admission in Different Educational Institutes inPakistan.

(i) It has been observed that different educational institutes inPakistan label/categorize the Overseas Pakistanis as“foreigners”, thereby subjecting them to discriminatory treatmentsuch as charging higher amounts of tuition fee for their children.The relevant authorities in Pakistan may be pursued/persuadedto discourage this unjustified practice adopted by the differentinstitutes.

k. Renewal of Insurance

(i) An amount of Rs. 2000/- is paid by an intending worker forOverseas Employment as insurance premium at the time of hisdeparture from Pakistan through Bureau of Immigration andOverseas Employment (HQ) Islamabad. The Insurancepremium is for a period of two years and has to be renewed bythe worker. The facility of renewal of the insurance premium isnot available in the Kingdom.

1. Problems Related to OPF, Islamabad

(i) The existing facility of scholarships for Overseas Pakistanichildren for foreign education is insufficient.

(ii) The community is critical about the slow response/feedbackregarding the applications of Overseas Pakistanis forwardedfor redressal of grievances.

(iii) The Education Wing of OPF does not provide inputs/information on regular basis regarding the admissions in differenteducational institutes, especially against seats reserved forOverseas Pakistanis.

m. Exploitation of Prospective Workers at the Hands of OEPs inPakistan

(i) A number of Pakistani workers in the Kingdom complain aboutcharging of exorbitant/ illegal fees and charges from the intending

22

workers and thereafter exploitation at the hands of their agentsin KSA.

Steps taken by the Mission include the following:

i. Efforts are first made to settle the issues of the Pakistani workersthrough negotiations, with their employers. If negotiations areinconclusive the workers are left with no option but to make recourseto the Saudi Authorities (Labour Courts), with the assistance ofWelfare Wing, for adjudication of their disputes.

ii. Welfare Wing provides facility of interpreter in Labour Courts tosuch Pakistani workers. On the average, 150-175 overseasPakistanis are facilitated in this regard per month.

iii. Legal assistance is also provided to such Pakistanis in local courtswith the help of two legal Consultants of Welfare Wing of this Mission.

iv. The legal Aid Desk (office) is working in the Welfare Wing of thisEmbassy. Presently the legal Aid Desk comprises three “LegalConsultants and one Arabic Translator” who are providing legal aidto the Pakistani prisoners by visiting different jails and deportationcentres which are under the functional jurisdiction of this Embassy(Mission at Riyadh).

v. Officers/officials of this Mission visit various jails falling within itsConsular Jurisdiction on regular basis in order to provide maximumassistance to the imprisoned Pakistanis in their repatriation/deportation.

vi. Outpasses/Emergency passports are issued to those Pakistaniprisoners who are without any valid travel documents enabling them,to travel back to Pakistan.

vii. During the visits undertaken by the Officers/Officials of this Mission,apart from issuing Emergency Passports/Out Passes, efforts are madeto facilitate the prisoners/detainees in the completion of formalitiesfor their deportation/repatriation.

23

viii. The relevant authorities of the host Government are frequentlyapproached through MoFA, KSA for waiving off fines and /orpayment of the same from the Bait-ul-Maal, and occasionally apositive response is received.

ix. On occasions such as Eid, Ramadhan and Saudi Independence Dayetc requests are made and as result minor punishment/fines are waivedoff.

x. Requests are also made to the host Government for provision ofdetails and status of legal proceedings and also for Consular Accessin cases of Pakistani Prisoners.

xi. All possible consular assistance is provided by this Mission to secureearly release of those Pakistani prisoners who have completed theirterms of imprisonment by extending assistance/help to those prisoners.

xii. The Mission also provides services of translator/interpreter to theunder trial prisoners enabling them to plead their cases effectively.

xiii. During the last financial year Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabadwas approached for the provision of financial resources, inaccordance with the instructions and guidelines provided by them,to provide assistance to the most deserving Pakistani nationals indistress/detained. Funds amounting to SR. 209,000/- equivalent toPak Rs, 4790280/- were received and payments were made to theconcerned authorities of the host government to secure the releaseof Pakistani nationals, who could not released earlier due to nonpayment of fines. During the current financial year permission forpayment of 4 cases have been approved by the Ministry of ForeignAffairs, Islamabad and an amount of Pak Rs.3,777,488/- for securingrelease of prisoners detained in various Jails located within EmbassyJurisdiction due to non payment of fines.

xiv. Welfare clinic is being run by the Embassy in Welfare Wing (5 daysa week) in collaboration with Pakistan Doctors Group, a non-profitorganization of Pakistani medical professionals. The clinic providesfree consultation along with medicines to deserving cases who donot have medical insurance.

24

xv. Recently, the facility of free laboratory investigations and radiologyservices for Pakistani patients has also been started.

xvi. Similar health facilities have been started at Tamimi Compound,Dammam to cater for the medical needs of poor Pakistani patientsresiding/working in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom due to hecticefforts and concerted persuasion with Governorate Eastern Provinceby Head of Mission.

xvii. Free medical camps in the Embassy Hall are organized by theEmbassy with the support of Pakistan Doctors Group. Last medicalcamp was held on 24-05-2013 where more than 700 patients wereexamined and provided with free of cost medicines.

xviii. This Mission frequently approaches the Governor Offices as well asadministration of private hospitals to waive off heavy treatment chargesfor poor Pakistani patients who are unable to pay at their own due tolack of medical insurance.

xix. A number of requests are received in this Mission in which provisionof financial assistance is demanded in paying the Air fare to PakistanInternational Airlines for transporting the injured Pakistanis to Pakistanrequiring Stretcher facility. Such patients normally suffer from workrelated injuries and get back bone fractures. Space equivalent to 6seats are required for such patients to be transported on stretcherwithin the aircraft. These destitute cases are approved by the Headof Mission and payment is made through PCW & EF.

xx. A total number of seven Pakistani Schools are imparting educationto the children of Overseas Pakistanis residing in Central, Easternand Northern Province’s of the Kingdom. The Schools are:

• Pakistan International School, Nasirriyah, Riyadh• Pakistan International School, English Section Sulamaniyah,

Riyadh• Pakistan International School, Al-Khober• Pakistan International School, Al-Jubail• Pakistan International School, Al-Ahsa• Pakistan International School, Al-Qassim Buraidah• Pakistan International School, Tabuk

25

xxi. These Schools are administrated by the Board of Directors/Management Councils of each school, under the direct supervisionof Ministry of Education KSA. The affairs of each school areexclusively looked after by an officer of the Embassy who serves asthe Link Officer under the patronage of the Head of Mission.

xxii. Arrangements have also been made in collaboration of PakistanCultural Group- a non-profit organization to provide free educationto the destitute Pakistanis in these schools.

xxiii. The applications received in this Mission from Pakistani expatriatesrelating to different departments in Pakistan are promptly referred tothe concerned authorities in Pakistan, through the Overseas PakistanisFoundation, for taking necessary action in order to redress the genuinegrievances of the applicants.

xxiv. CWAs regularly visit prominent Companies and meet with seniorexecutives, to explore opportunities for absorption of Pakistanimanpower in their Companies. The senior management of variouscompanies are briefed about the labour market in Pakistan and theavailability of skilled manpower. The representatives of thesecompanies are also explained about the emotional attachment of thePakistani workers with the Kingdom owing to the presence of twoHoly Sites and their excellent track record. Efficiency, dedicationand hard work of Pakistani skilled manpower like plumbers, masons,carpenters, electricians and steel fixers etc are emphasized to allconcerned.

xxv. The purpose of these meetings is to explore ways and means forfacilitating an increase in the import of manpower from Pakistanbesides ensuring well being of already employed Pakistani workers.

xxvi. During the official visits of Embassy officials to various cities of SaudiArabia in connection with official assignments and interaction withthe Pakistani Community located within Consular jurisdiction of theEmbassy of Pakistan, Riyadh, Pakistani expatriates are regularlybriefed about the benefits of remitting foreign exchange to Pakistanthrough banking channels. Similar guidance is provided on daily basisto the Pakistani workers visiting the Embassy of Pakistan for theresolution of their problems.

26

xxvii. Utility of Foreign Exchange Remittance Cards (Silver & Gold Cards)are explained to Pakistani workers and they are apprised of theincentives of the credit in customs duty on the import of number ofhousehold items from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan.

42. *Sheikh Rohale Asghar:

Will the Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry be pleased tostate the year-wise total number of mobile phones exported/importedduring the last five years till date alongwith the value thereof?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry:——————————————————————————————

Year No. Value in 000 Rs.——————————————————————————————

2007-08 339,795 1,466,414

2008-09 396,398 1,744,671

2009-10 2,056 3,954

2010-11 41,741 197,670

2011-12 66,194 180,005

2012-13 (July-March) 281,335 863,453——————————————————————————————

Source: FBS

——————————————————————————————Year No. Value in 000 Rs.

——————————————————————————————

2007-08 13,990,722 46,486,429

2008-09 3,822,407 13,232,359

2009-10 10,986,486 26,439,735

2010-11 12,314,583 44,694,382

2011-12 29,175,878 61,386,855

2012-13(July-March) 182,158,55 456,333,90——————————————————————————————

Source: FBS

27

43. *Dr. Nisar Ahmad Jatt:

Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to statewhether there is any proposal under consideration of the Governmentfor declaring FATA as a province; if so, when it will be implemented?

Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd) AbdulQadir Baloch): At present there is no proposal under consideration with theGovernment for declaring FATA as a Province.

According to Article 247(6) of Constitution the President may, at anytime, by Order, direct that the whole or any part of a Tribal Area shall cease to beTribal Area, and such Order may contain such incidental and consequentialprovisions as appear to the President to be necessary and proper.

Provided that before making any Order under this clause, the Presidentshall ascertain, in such manner, as he considers appropriate, the views of the peopleof the Tribal Area concerned, as represented in tribal jirga.

44. *Najaf Abbas Sial:


(a) whether it is a fact that the Labour contracts signed with Korea,Malaysia and Gulf countries by the Government during the year2012-13; if so, the details alongwith the present status and namesof the Gulf countries thereof; and

(b) whether it is also a fact that a number of persons sent to thosecountries under said contracts; if so, the details thereof; if not,the steps being taken to send labourers to those countries?

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human ResourceDevelopment (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a) No. MoU/Agreementhas been signed with any foreign country during the year 2012-13. However, inJune, 2006, a MoU was signed between Government of Pakistan and Republic ofSouth Korea which was renewed in June, 2008, 2010 and June, 2012 for exportof Pakistani manpower to South Korea for employment.

28

(b) Ministry is taking all efforts to enhance the export Of Pakistanimanpower. During the year 2012-13 record number of Pakistani manpower hasbeen sent to the following countries through Overseas Employment Promoterswithout any Labour Contracts by department of Bureau of Emigration and OverseasEmployment.

UAE 308395Jordan 451Libya 4331Malaysia 2164Qatar 11549South Korea 11

Under the MoU signed in June, 2006 as mentioned at (a) above, OverseasEmployment Corporation has sent 3756 persons to South Korea for employment.

The steps taken by, the Ministry to send the manpower abroad isat Annexure-A.

Annex-A

STEPS TAKEN BY THE BUREAU OF EMIGRATION AND OVERSEASEMPLOYMENT TO ENHANCE EXPORT OF PAKISTANI

MANPOWER

� Bureau implements emigration policy through its 07 regional officesnamely, Protector of Emigrants located at Karachi, Lahore, Multan,Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Malakand and Quetta.

� Since 1971 to 2013 (upto June) 6.7 million Pakistanis haveapproximately proceeded abroad for employment through the Bureau.

� Pakistani emigrants proceed aboard through licensed OverseasEmployment Promoters as well as on direct employment visa.

� There are more than 1600 licensed Overseas Employment Promotersworking under the Bureau. Their licenses are issued by the Bureau/Ministry after completion of codal formalities.

29

� Every emigrant is registered with the respective Protector of Emigrantafter depositing the Government fees and provision of requireddocuments.

� Proper Orientation and -Briefing is imparted to every emigrant priorto his departure for employment abroad.

� Every emigrant is insured for Rs. 1 million for death & disabilityclaims.

.� Proper welfare of the emigrants during their working abroad is also

ensured by the Bureau through Community Welfare Attaches postedin Pakistan Embassies abroad.

� The biggest achievement of the Bureau is the foreign exchangeremittances received horn the Pakistani emigrants which isstrengthening Government exchequer.

� The private licensed Overseas Employment promoters given sufficientfacilities to boost export of Pakistani manpower and get maximumdemand for our workers abroad.

45. *Mian Muhammad Rasheed:


(a) the volume of trade deficit as on 15-3-2008 and 15-3-2013,respectively;

(b) whether it is a fact that previous Government has failed to bringthe trade deficit at a prudent level; if so, the reasons thereof;

(c) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to hold an inquiry to identify the grey areas in thisregard which were reasons of such negative impact on tradevolume of the country; if so, when it will be implemented; and

(d) the steps being taken by the Government to formulate acomprehensive plan to improve volume of trade of the country?

30

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: (a) Trade statistics areon monthly basis and not on 15 days basis. The monthly Trade Deficit from January2008-2013 till December 2008-2013 is enclosed. Yearly Trade Deficit from Julyto March (2008-2013) is also enclosed. (Annex-A)

1. Pakistan’s trade balance has always been in deficit. The previousgovernment formulated a three years comprehensive Strategic TradePolicy Framework (STPF) 2009-12, as well as STPF 2012-2015in order to boost exports. The STPF 2009-12, while concentratedon export grants, did not manage to bring down the trade deficit dueto increase in imports of oil. Food, Machinery, Petroleum. Fertilizers,etc, due to higher prices, as well as high value imports. The STPF2009-12 was designed to increase competitiveness of Pakistaniexports through incentive/assistance to exporters, specifically,Pakistan’s constant trade deficit with the following:—

(i) Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries is mainly dueto import of oil from them.

(ii) Trade deficit with Malaysia and Indonesia is because ofincreasing import of palm oil by Pakistan.

(iii) Heavy demand for electronic goods and machinery from Chinain Pakistan has tilted trade balance in favor of China.

(iv) Pakistan’s import basket from India mostly consists ofintermediate goods and cheap industrial machinery, which isvital for our local industry.

(v) To cater growing demand for automobile and machinery fromJapan by local consumers, Pakistan has been recording tradedeficit

(vi) Germany is the main source of sophisticated machinery forPakistan because its exports are more than their imports fromPakistan.

(c) Pakistani imports are mostly of essential commodities and forboosting industrial production. Trade figures are kept under constant review andMinistry of Commerce takes corrective measures from time to time. Therefore aneed for a one time enquiry was not felt.

31

(d) In order to maximize exports and improve the competitiveness ofPakistan’s products in the international market, the Ministry of Commerce, withthe approval of the Government of Pakistan in consultation with stakeholders,announced Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2012- 15.STPF has twomain components:

i. Regulatory amendments

ii. Export developments initiatives.Annexure-A

Month-wise Trade deficit(Value in Million US$)

——————————————————————————————Month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

——————————————————————————————January — -1,182 -1,636 -1,137 -1,696 -1,740Feburary — -873 -986 -912 -1,428 -1,548March -2,050 -1,043 -1,517 954 -1,524 -1,553April -2,309 -1,477 -1,315 -882 -1,517 —May -1,962 -1,098 -1,627 -1,992 -1,732 —June -1,972 -1,817 -1,444 -1,441 -1,838 —July -1,671 -1,171 -1,513 -1,532 -1,605August -1,895 -1,066 -1,272 -1,861 -1,774September -2,034 -911 -1,188 -1,788 -1,307October -1,985 -1,394 -1,258 -1,727 -1,774November -1,190 -1,010 -1,400 -2,177 -1,711December -871 -1,342 -1,657 -2,407 -1,703

—————————————————————————————————————

Exports , Imports and Trade deficitMillion US$

—————————————————————————————————————Exports Imports Trade deficit

—————————————————————————————————————2007-2008 July-March 13,432 27,960 -14,5272008-2009 July-March 13,382 26,123 -12,7412009-2010 July-March 14,072 25,106 -11,0342010-2011 July-March 17,726 29,016 -11,2892011-2012 July-March 17,101 33,320 -16,2192012-2013 July-March 18,016 33,285 -15,269

—————————————————————————————————————Source: PBSNote: PBS provides Trade data on monthly basis.

32

46. *Saihbzada Tariq Ullah:


(a) the names of the countries declared favorite for the trade withPakistan during the last five years till date; and

(b) the benefits accrued therefrom during the year 2012-13 till date?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: (a) During the past fiveyears till date, Pakistan has not specifically declared any country as favourite.However, Pakistan is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since itsinception in 1995 and all the members of WTO have granted each other MostFavoured Nation (MFN) status by virtue of their WTO membership. Thus, Pakistanhas granted MFN status to all the members of WTO on reciprocal basis, exceptIndia and Israel.

(b) No new country has been accorded Most Fovoured Nation (MFN)status in the last five years.

47. *Sheikh Rashid Ahmed:

Will the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan be pleasedto state whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to construct international airports in Muzaffarabad,Mirpur and Rawalakot, AJ&K; if so, when it will be implemented?

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan (Mr. MuhammadBarjees Tahir):

• There is a proposal under consideration of the Government tointernational airport at Mirpur.

• The Prime Minister of Pakistan, during his visit to Mirpur in March,2012, announced construction of airport at Mirpur, AJ&K. The PrimeMinister also directed for the inclusion of this project in Federal PSDPof 2012-13. The PC-I of the project is presently under consideration/scrutiny of Aviation Division.

33

• No other proposal is under consideration to construct InternationalAirports at Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot.

48. *Mr. Muhammad Riaz Malik:


(a) the year-wise total quantity of cement exported to India duringthe last five years; and

(b) the details of benefit derived therefrom?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: (a) The year-wise totalquantity of cement exported to India during last five fiscal years is as under:——————————————————————————————

S.# Year Quantity (MT)——————————————————————————————

1. 2007-08 768,4392. 2008-09 652,6633. 2009-10 742,3254. 2010-11 656,1445. 2011-12 634,728

——————————————————————————————Source: FBS

(b) A total amount of US$ 196.703 million has been earned from theexport of cement to India during last five years.

ISLAMABAD: KARAMAT HUSSAIN NIAZI,The 15th August, 2013. Secretary.

PCPPI—3160(13) NA—15-8-2013—700.

1

4th Session

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT

————

“UNSTARRED QUESTIONS AND THEIR REPLIES”

For Friday, the 16th August, 2013

29. Dr. Nafisa Shah:


(a) the total number of Pakistani Prisoners in Indian Jails and viceversa at present;

(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration by the Ministryto exchange those prisoners; if so, when it will be implemented;and

(c) whether a bilateral agreement singed between both countrieson the exchange of prisoners; if not, the reasons thereof?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) Details of Pakistani Prisoners inIndian Jails:

• Indian authorities have handed over a list of 386 Pakistani prisoners(278 civil + 108 fishermen) detained in Indian jails to HighCommission of Pakistan, New Delhi on 01-07-2013.

• However, according to the record of Pakistani prisoners maintainedby the Ministry as well as Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi,based on the information received from print/electronic media, NGOsand applications from the relatives of prisoners, there are 485 Pakistaniprisoners (313 civil + 172 fishermen) in Indian jails.

• There exists disparity in number of Pakistani prisoners which comesto 99. We have taken up the matter with the Indian authorities toclarify the discrepancy.

2

Details of Indian Prisoners in Pakistani Jails:

• According to the list, provided by the Ministry of Interior, handedover to the Indian High Commission on 01-07-2013, there are 491Indian prisoners (54 civil + 437 fishermen) detained in Pakistanijails.

• Out of total 491 prisoners, nine (09) Indian prisoners (07 Civil + 2Fishermen) have been released.

• All 491 Indian prisoners have been provided consular access.

(b) Pakistan has released 45 Indian fishermen on 25 May 2013, onefisherman on June 17, 2013 and 07 civil Indian prisoners on 09 July, 2013. OneIndian fisherman prisoner has died on July 03, 2013. There is a proposal to releasefurther 73 Indian fishermen. Whereas, the Indian side has not released any Pakistaniprisoner even those 31 civil prisoners who have completed their sentence andtheir national status confirmed.

(c) There is an Agreement on Consular Access between Pakistan andIndia, signed on May 21, 2008, for exchange of list of both sides prisoners onJanuary 1st and July 1st each year. Under this agreement both the governmentsare required to release/repatriation of prisoners within one month of confirmationof their national status and completion of sentences.

30. Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan:


(a) whether it is a fact that a number of Pakistanis have beendeported recently from Saudi Arabia; if so, the details alongwithreasons thereof; and

(b) the steps taken to avoid such incidents in future?

Minister for Foreign Affairs:(a) Nitaqat Program initiated by thegovernment of Saudi Arabia is aimed at regularization of the labor market anddocumentation of the foreign work force of all nationalities present in the Kingdomof Saudi Arabia. According to the provisions of the new laws, only those expatriateswho arrived into the Kingdom after 3rd July 2008 on Umra/Hajj or Visit Visas

3

and overstayed beyond their legal stay have to leave Saudi Arabia during thestipulated grace period. However, with rigorous efforts of the Ministry of ForeignAffairs and its Missions in Saudi Arabia not only did the Saudi Government agreeto allow the return of Pakistanis but also agreed to extend the grace period untilNovember 3, 2013.

2. However, All the remaining illegal/irregular expatriate workersincluding Runaways, Free lancers (Azad Visas), those working in professionsdifferent from their declared professions/trades and Hajj/Umra/visit visa overstayerswho arrived in Saudi Arabia before 3rd July 2008 have been allowed to stay in theKingdom by regularizing their status. However those opting for repatriation aredoing it by their own choice rather than being forced by the local authorities/laws.

3. The Mission also succeeded in reintegrating 80,000 Pakistanis backinto Saudi mainstream economy, therefore, it is pertinent to mention that thecomparatively smaller segment of illegal Pakistanis who had come on Umra/Hajj/Visit visas after July 3rd 2008 will have to leave the Kingdom per force accordingto the new laws otherwise they would be detained and fined heavily on thecompletion of the grace period ending on 3rd November 2013. No official figuresof Pakistani workers repatriated since the start of the campaign have been conveyedto this Mission by the local authorities despite our repeated requests.

(b) 4. The Saudization policy is not an incident rather it is a deliberatepolicy measure by the Saudi Government. It has affected all the foreign workers inthe Kingdom.

(a) To minimize the impact of the Saudization Program, the Ministry andits Missions in Riyadh and Jeddah took the following measures: Aregistration form has been devised to gather important details ofillegal/irregular workers. Forms can be collected at the Embassyand the Consulate on all working days. For the far-flung areas,dissemination and collection of registration forms from Pakistaniworkers is being done through designated focal persons in differentcities. Distribution/collection of registration forms would also be doneduring regular consular visits on each weekend.

(b) Information is being disseminated through Pakistani electronic media.

(c) Details are also being disseminated through Embassy’s monthly newsletter “Hallat-e-Nau”, as well as through newly created Embassy

4

website, which would carry a downloadable version of the registrationform, to be filled in and sent via fax/e-mail to us or through designatedfocal persons. The mailing lists of various Kingdom-based Pakistaniweb-based groups would disseminate details of the registrationcampaign.

(d) Publicity of Registration Campaign is being done through pressreleases/advertisements in the local newspaper “Urdu News”, whichis widely read by Pakistani workers. Advertisement have been placedin Arabic dailies Ar-Riyadh and Okaz and English dailies Arab Newsand Saudi Gazette soliciting support of local companies/businessesto absorb Pakistani workers through transfer of sponsorship.

(e) Information leaflets are being placed at various public placesfrequented by Pakistani workers, including Pakistani schools,restaurants, shops, Deraas etc.

(f) Simultaneously, the Mission has contacted various local companies/business, some of which have indicated willingness to employ theseworkers through ‘transfer of sponsorship.

5. As a result of the efforts of our Embassy as well as Embassies ofother countries affected, the Saudi Government on 10 May 2013 announced thefollowing concessions:

a. Exemptions from fines/penalties of violators who leave for theirrespective countries. They would be allowed to return to Saudi Arabiaon new work visas after finger printing at the time of their departurefrom the Kingdom;

b. Runaway workers who are declared as such by their sponsors/kafeelsor those who are staying in the Kingdom after expiry of theirResidence Permit have been permitted to rectify their status eitherby returning to their current sponsor or transferring to another sponsorwithout permission of the current sponsor. Any dispute on rights andclaims between such a worker and his previous sponsor will be settledby special legal departments All runaway workers who intend toleave for their country would be allowed to do so without beingblacklisted and fines/penalties;

5

c. Umra/Hajj Visit Visa Over-stayers who arrived in Saudi Arabia before3 July 2008 have been allowed to regularize their status by workingas domestic workers or in private companies. All such individualswho leave for their countries will not be blacklisted or fined;

d. Domestic and non-domestic expatriate workers would be entitledto change their profession without paying fine;

e. All private companies/businesses have been allowed to absorbmaximum number of available workforce from the local market inrelaxation of the previously imposed restriction of employing not morethan 40% workers from one nationality.

6. In light of the concessions announced for the foreign workers by theSaudi government, the latest efforts of our Embassy to help Pakistanis regularizetheir stay in Saudi Arabia and to help illegal workers to leave the Kingdom beforeexpiry of the grace period on 3 November 2013 are the following:

a. Informing Pakistani workers, many of whom are illiterate about thenew Saudi policy by preparing guidelines in Urdu and Pashto. Countrywide campaign has been launched through electronic, print, socialmedia as well as word of mouth to assist Pakistani workers.Consequently, thousands of illegal workers have been registered;

b. Attending to approximately 2000 Pakistanis per day;

c. Issuing approximately 900 passports per day;

d. Special teams are being sent regularly for providing assistance andadvice to the workers in different regions of the Kingdom;

e. The Ambassador has also visited and met members of the Pakistanicommunity and Saudi officials to safeguard the interests of thePakistani workers;

f. Holding daily Job Fairs in the Embassy where recruitment officershave been carrying out on the spot interviews of Pakistani applicants;

g. 90 companies have been registered with the Embassy to providepossible employment to Pakistanis affected by the Saudi policy;

6

h. Representatives of these companies are visiting the Embassy on dailybasis to interview workers in various categories. The unique initiativeof holding ‘Job Fair’ in the Embassy has been very popular andsuccessful;

i. 56 irregular Pakistanis have been recruited by these companies;

j. Special windows have been opened to timely issue Emergency TravelDocuments to those workers who decide to leave the Kingdom;

k. Staff including legal consultant has been deputed at deportationCentres in the Kingdom to assist Pakistanis who are detained forearly completion of pre-departure formalities. A legal consultant hasalso been deputed to assist workers in the process of regularizationof their status;

Results of the ongoing efforts

a. Due to round the clock working of the Embassy in Riyadh and theConsulate General in Jeddah, as of today, Saudi Arabia has declared80,000 Pakistanis as legal immigrants and 110 Saudi Companieshave started giving employment to Pakistanis who had migrated tothe Kingdom illegally.

b. Those who had arrived in Saudi Arabia on Hajj or Umrah visasbefore 2008 and stayed back would be legalized if they could find ajob and a sponsor before the expiry of deadline 3 November, 2013.

c. Similarly, due to the efforts of the Embassy those who had arrivedbetween 2008 and 2013 could leave Saudi Arabia without gettingblacklisted. To facilitate them the Embassy, the Consulate Generaland Pakistan Centres in all the 30 big cities of the Kingdom areissuing out passes to all those approaching them.

d. In 30 big cities of Saudi Arabia Pakistani Centres have been set upwhere so far, about 19,000 illegal immigrants have got themselvesregistered.

e. Recently a special Job Fair was held in Nasiriyah where 70 companiesand 5000 applicants met for job interviews.

7

f. To enable the runaway workers and over-stayers to leave theKingdom without punishment or fines, our Embassy in Riyadh andConsulate in Jeddah have so far issued 24,000 Emergency TravelDocuments.

g. There are 70 focal points in various parts of the Kingdom to giveinformation to Pakistanis and to facilitate them.

h. The Ambassador has made an appeal to illegal Pakistani immigrantsin Saudi Arabia to get themselves register in Pakistani Centres sothat an effort could be made to have them legalized before the expiryof the deadline of 3 July 2013.

7. Most of the other Embassies in the Kingdom, including the IndianEmbassy, are focusing on getting their irregular workers out of the Kingdom withinthe grace period ending on 3 November 2013. However, our Embassy andConsulate is focusing on adopting measures to enable the Pakistanis with irregularstatus to continue to work legally in the Kingdom by correcting their work statusbefore the end of the grace period.

31. S. A. Iqbal Qadri:

Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the benefitsachieved from Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) during thelast four years?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: The FoDP was an initiative conceived bythe previous government to build partnerships with friendly countries to enhanceunderstanding of challenges Pakistan faces, and seek solutions collectively andbilaterally.

Some initiatives were undertaken which generated activities relating tocooperation in development and institution-capacity building. An Energy Reportwas prepared envisaging reforms and investment to strengthen energy sector.Similarly, a Study on water management in Pakistan was also prepared. The AsianDevelopment Bank, World Bank, EU and the UN prepared a Post-Crisis NeedsAssessment Plan for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA. The projects under thisplan are being financed through World Bank Multi Donor Trust Fund in whicharound US$156 million have been with a view to establishing long term linkagesbetween various institutions in Pakistan and those in FoDP countries.

8

The FoDP group has not been active for some time now. The initiativesmentioned above are being dealt with by the concerned Ministries/ Departments.

32. Abdul Waseem:


(a) the number alongwith the names and location of TobaccoCompanies working in the country at present; and

(b) the year-wise total amount of revenue earned therefrom duringthe last three years?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: (a) 25 TobaccoCompanies are working in the country at present out of which 22 tobaccocompanies are located at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 01 in Sindh, 01 in AJK and 01 inPunjab.

The detail list showing names and locations of Tobacco Companiesis placed at Annex -A.

(b) The revenue collection is the mandate of FBR, therefore, can beobtained from them. However, the year-wise total amount of cess earned by PakistanTobacco Board therefrom during the last three years is given below:—

Value in Million Rs.——————————————————————————————

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13——————————————————————————————

Rs. 76.929 Rs. 77.718 Rs. 82.026——————————————————————————————


33. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi:


(a) whether it is a fact that a number of officials and officers havingdual nationality are working in the Ministry as well as in ForeignMissions; and

9

(b) if the answer to part (a) above is in the affirmative, the detailsthereof?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a), (b) As per the undertaking providedby the officer/officials of the Ministry, no officer/official of the Ministry of ForeignAffairs, including those working in Pakistan Mission abroad, have dual nationality.Mr. Sikandar Ahmed Shah, legal Adviser, a contract employee of this Ministry,was born in the united State and holds dual nationality.

34. Shaista Pervaiz:


(a) the names, qualification, experience, perks and privileges, tenureof non-career Ambassadors and other staff appointed in variousmissions abroad during the last five years; and

(b) the performance of each of the above appointed person?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) Desired information related to noncareer Ambassadors, and other staff posted against the sanctioned strength ofMinistry of Foreign Affairs is as under:—

——————————————————————————————Sr. No. Name Qualification Tenure———————————————————————————————————————————

1. Mr. Abdullah Hussain Karachi Grammar 04-08-2008 toHaroon, School 06-11-2010Ambassador/Permanent Karachi University (as per end of contractRepresentative, New York notice)

2. Mr. Hussain Haqqani M.A. International 21-05-2008 toAmbassador, Washington Relations 22-11-2011

3. Mr. Wajid Shams ul Hassan, M.A. International 28-05-2008 till dateHigh Commissioner, U.K Relations

4. Mr. Salman Bashir, High M.A. History & LLB 31-05-2012 till dateCommissioner, New Delhi

5. Ms. Fauzia Abbas, B.A University of 05-11-2006 till dateAmbassador, Copenhagen Punjab and Canberra

6. Lt.Gen.(R) Muhammad Master’s Degree in Appointed onMasood Aslam, Ambassador, War Studies 19-01-2011 (Charge asMexico sumed on 8-6-2011)

———————————————————————————————————————————

10


7. Lt.Gen.(R) Ahsan Azhar Master’s Degree in December 2012 till dateHayat, Ambassador Amman War Studies

8. Maj.Gen(R) Muhammad Ijaz Master’s Degree in 11-01-2012 till dateHussain Awan, Ambassador War StudiesBrunei-Darussalam

9. Maj. Gen.(R) Ulfat Hussain, Master’s Degree in 01-01-2013 till dateAmbassador Port Louis War Studies

10. Maj.Gen(R) Asif Duraiz Master’s Degree in 01-10-2009 toAkhtar, Ambassador-Abuja War Studies 30-11-2011

11. Mr.M.B.Abbasi, Ambassador- Post Graduation in 04-08-2008 toTehran Economics 11-10-2009

12. Maj.Gen(R) Muhammad MSc-War Studies, 21-03-2010 toSiddique High Commissioner MSc. International 22-.03-2012(BS-21) Studies (USA), MSc.Pahic Port Louis Defence & Strategic

Studies

13. Lt.Gen (R) Muhammad Master of War Studies, 11.01. 2013 till dateAshraf Saleem, High MBA, IBACommissioner (BS-22),Pahic Abuja

14. Nawabzada Aminullah Khan Graduate from Govt. 04-08-2007 (Beirut)Raisani, Ambassador, Parep College Lahore 22-08-2009 toMuscat 21-08-2011 (Damascus

15. Maj Gen.(R) Ahmed Nawaz MSc. From National 30-07-2010 toSaleem Mela, Ambassador, Defence University 31-12-2012Parep Kyiv

16. Maj Gen.(R) Syed Khalid Senior Cambridge 17-07-2011 toAamir Jaffery, Ambassador, Graduate 18-07-2013Parep Sarajevo

17. Maj.Gen.(R) Qasim Qureshi, M.A. and International 07-03-2013 toHigh Commissioner, Studies from King’s 06-03-2015Pahic Colombo College, London

18. Maj.Gen.(R) Wajahat Ali Master Degree in 05-07-2013 toMufti, Ambassador, Parep Defense 04-07-2015Kyiv

19. Ms. Sherry Rehman, Not mentioned in her 08-01-2012 toAmbassador Bio Data 31-05-2013Parep Washington

20. Umar Khan Ali Sherzai, Holds Degree of M.A 12-08-2009 toAmbassador, Saudia Arabia 24.10.2010

21. Lt. Gen. ® Saleh-ud-din, Not in personal file 16-09-2009 toHigh Commissioner, 15-09-2011Pahic Brunei

———————————————————————————————————————————

11


22 Gul Haneef, Ambassador Not in personal file 18-04-2009 toParep Lisbon 17-04-2011

23 Kausar Ahsan Iqbal, Hold degree of MPA 17-03-2010 toAmbassador Retd. Parep and LLB 16-03-2011Sofia

24 Prof. Dr. Syed Khawaja PhD. 14-09-2009 toAlqama, Ambassador Parep 13.09.2011Sana’a

25 Khurshid Ahmad Junejo, Not mentioned in his 01-09-2008 toAmbassador, Abu Dhabi C.V 31-10-2010

26 Shafkat Saeed, Ambassador Master Degree in 09-11-2009 toParep Paris Science 17-04-2011

———————————————————————————————————————————

Perks & Privileges of Non Career Ambassadors from Sr. No. 01 to 26are as under:

i. Pay & Allowances as admissible

ii. Free furnished accommodation

iii. Official car

iv. Percentage of Utility charges ranging from 75% to 73.53%

v. Telephone ceiling

vi. Cook subsidy for one cook

vii. Home leave passage, Children education passage, Emergencypassage as admissible under the rules.

viii. Airfare for two domestic servants.

ix. TA/Transfer grant/Transportation of personal effects.——————————————————————————————Sr. No. Name Qualification Tenure———————————————————————————————————————————

27. Salis Kiani, Minister, Not in personal file 08-11-2008 to July,Parep London 2013

28. Maleeha Makhdoom, English Literature Hons. 13-02-2009 to July,First Secretary, Dublin Degree, Brunei University 2013

29. Taj Muhammad Khan, Third BA, Punjab University 21-09-2008 till dateSecretary, Parep London

———————————————————————————————————————————

12

Perks & Privileges of individuals mentioned in Sr. No. 27 to 29 are asunder:

(i) Pay & Allowances as admissible

(ii) Free furnished accommodation

(iii) Telephone ceiling

(iv) Home leave passage, Children education passage, Emergencypassage as admissible under the rules.

(v) TA/Transfer grant/Transportation of personal effects.

(b) It is difficult to gauge the performance since political and communitywork cannot be quantified, however, it is understood that the concerned officers’performances were to the satisfaction of the appointing government.

35. Sajid Ahmed:

Will the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan be pleasedto state:

(a) whether the citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir can purchasethe property in Pakistan; and

(b) whether the citizens of Pakistan can purchase the property inAzad Kashmir?

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan (Mr. MuhammadBarjees Tahir): (a) According to Article-04 of Azad Jammu and KashmirAlienation of Land Act, 1995, Bik, transfer of land in AJ&K to any person, whois not a state subject is prohibited. (Annexure-I).

(b) Under Section 14-B of Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (Act II of1951) citizens of AJ&K enjoy the citizenship of Pakistan also, therefore, they areentitled to purchase property in Pakistan also. (Annexure-II).


13

36. Mohammad Ayaz Soomro:


(a) whether there is a shortfall of employees hailing from Sindh Ruralin the Ministry and its attached departments; if so, the reasonstherefor; and

(b) the steps being taken/proposed to be taken by the Governmentto meet the said deficiency?

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human ResourceDevelopment (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a) There is no shortfallemployees hailing from Sindh Rural in the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis andHuman Resource Development and its attached departments.

(b) Does not apply.

37. Qari Muhammad Yousaf:


(a) whether it is a fact that a project for the construction of stadiumto fulfill the sports requirements of youths in District Batgramhas been approved;

(b) if so, when it will be implemented; if not, the reasons thereof?

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (Mr. Riaz HussainPirzada): (a), (b) A perusal of available record of Development Wing reveals thatno project for construction of stadium to fulfill the sports requirements of youth inDistrict Batgram was initiated. The same has been further confirmed by the P&DSection of the executing agency i.e. Pakistan Sports Board.

38. Dr. Nisar Ahmad Jatt:

Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that financial assistance/allowances are stillbeing paid to the dependents of the former Princely States bythe Government; if so, the total number thereof; and

14

(b) the year-wise total amount of said assistances/allowances paidto those dependents during the last five years?

Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Lt. General (Retd) AbdulQadir Baloch): (a) Yes. The financial assistance/allowance is still being paid tothe Dependents of former Princely States; as per following detail:

Dependents of late Nawab of Dir. 04Dependents of late Nawab of Makran. 09Dependents of late Khan of Kalat. 08

(b) Year-wise total amount of allowance paid to the dependents duringthe last five years is as under:———————————————————————————————Dependents of Former Princely State. Year Amount——————————————————————————————

Dependents of late Nawab of Dir. 2009-2010 Rs.23,000/-2010-2011 Rs.20,000/2011-2012 Rs.20,000/-2012-2013 Rs.20,000/-2013-2014 Rs.20,000/-

——————————————Total: Rs.103,000/-

——————————————Dependents of late Nawab of Makran. 2009-2010 Rs.49,000/-

2010-2011 Rs.48,000/-2011-2012 Rs.49,000/-2012-2013 Rs.19,000/-2013-2014 Rs.19,000/-

——————————————Total: Rs.184,000/-

——————————————Dependents of late Khan of Kalat. 2009-2010 Rs.41,000/-

2010-2011 Rs.41,000/-2011-2012 Rs.12,000/-2012-2013 Rs.12,000/-2013-2014 Rs.12,000/-

——————————————Total: Rs.118,000/-

——————————————————————————————

15

39. Malik Shakir Bashir Awan:

Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state;

(a) the details of total employees working at Pakistan School, Jeddah(Saudi Arabia) for the last 5 years alongwith the criteria adoptedfor their appointments; and

(b) the date of appointment, qualification and salary packages ofAccountants, Principals and Teachers appointed for the saidSchool during the said period?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) There are two Community PakistaniSchool in Jeddah namely Pakistan International School Azizia and PakistanInternational School Rehab.

2. The information received from Pakistan International School Aziziain reply to the question is given below:

——————————————————————————————No. D.O.Appt. Qualification Salary Package

—————————————————————————————————————Employees 344as on 21July, 2013

Principal 01 22-12-2012 as M.A. (English), In Pay Scale ofA/Principal B.Ed. SR 2000/-, SR. 2605

(Officiating andAfternoon ShiftAllowance

Teacher 150 M.A/MSc./M.Com/ In Pay Scale ofM.Ed., B.A/B.Sc/ SR2000/-,B.Com/B.Ed SR 1900/- and

SR 16000/

Accountant 01 09-06-2013 MSc. (Accounting In Pay Scale ofand Finance), SR. 2000/-M.B.A

—————————————————————————————————————

16

Pakistan International School, Rehab

3. Pakistan International School, Rehab, is located on the land ownedby Azizia School follows A-Level/O-Level curriculum. The School pays rent tothe Azizia School. Senator Sehar Kamran is the Principal of the School.

4. Senator Kamran the Principal has declined to share information onthe School and in her correspondence with the Consul General has stated that“You may forward them details of Azizia School. They follow Pakistan curriculumat least and take some donations from Pakistan Consulate. We have multinationalstaff locally recruited and it is not the right of National Assembly Members toquestion their pay and status”.

40. Sahibzada Tariq Ullah:


(a) the salient features of recently signed Pak-Afghan Transit TradeAgreement;

(b) the facilities, which will be extended to India according to saidagreement;

(c) the monitoring system of above agreement; and

(d) whether the input of stakeholders have been incorporated; ifso, the details thereof?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: (a) The salient featuresof Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), 2010 are as under:—

The main Agreement is further substituted by 04 Protocols. These Protocolsare:—

� Protocol One: International Carriage by Road of Goods and Baggagein Transit,

� Protocol Two: Temporary Admission of Vehicles for CommercialUse, Protocol three

17

� Protocol Three: Customs Control and Transit Regime

� Protocol Four: Control of Precursors and Chemicals Substancesused in the illicit manufacture of Narcotic Drugs or PsychotropicSubstances.

o Other salient features of APTTA are summarized below:—

i. Guarantees Freedom of Transit to both countries.

ii. Allows Pakistan access to Central Asian Republics

iii. Allows Afghanistan access to Pakistan’s sea ports-Karachi Port,Port Qasim and Gwadar Port.

iv. Allows Afghanistan access to Wagah for its exports to India.

v. Does not allow Indian exports to Afghanistan through Wagha landborder.

vi. The Agreement excludes the transit of arms, ammunition and militaryequipments unless agreed by the Contracting Parties.

vii. Establishment of Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade CoordinationAuthority (APTTCA) to monitor the effective implementation of theAgreement.

viii. Effective Dispute Settlement System.

ix. Establishment of Arbitral Tribunals.

x. The Agreement contains a comprehensive mechanism to addressthe issue of smuggling. The highlights of this mechanism are givenbelow:—

� Installation of tracking devices on transport units.

� Customs to customs information sharing (through IT andElectronic Data interface).

18

� Provision of financial guarantees equal to the amount of importlevies of Pakistan, to be deposited by authorized brokers /custom clearing agents, which are released only after the goodsexit the country. In case the goods do not exit the country withinspecified time, the guarantees are to be en-cashed by the customauthorities.

� Movement of goods as sealed containerized cargo.

� Installation of biometric devices at the entry points.

� Weighment and scanning of cargo at entry and exit points tocontrol pilferage of goods en-route to Afghanistan.

� In case of doubt or suspicions, consignments can be examineden route by customs authorities.

� Risk assessment and inspection of transit cargo to identify highrisk consignments for detailed scrutiny.

� Movement of Transit consignments is only allowed throughspecified routes.

(b) No facility has been extended to India under APTTA, 2010.However, as per the said Agreement, Pakistan has facilitated Afghanistan’s exportsto India using its territory. The Afghan trucks are, however, required to follow theprescribed route to Wagah.

(c) Under Article 34 of APTTA, 2010, Afghanistan Pakistan TransitTrade Coordination Authority (APTTCA) comprising the representatives ofstakeholders Ministries / Departments and Public Private Sectors, has beenestablished to monitor the effective implementation of the Agreement. So far threemeetings of APTTCA have been held to address operational issues of implementationof the Agreement. The last meeting of APTTCA was held on October 11-12,2012 in Islamabad.

(d) Before signing of APTTA in October, 2010, Ministry of Commercetook all the relevant stakeholders on board during a long series of consultativemeetings held in this regard. The prime objective of these meetings was to takeinto confidence all the stakeholders and to note their view points / observations /reservations which were later incorporated into the said Agreement.

19

41. Mr. Sher Akbar Khan:


(a) the names and designations of employees working in the variousprojects of the Ministry at present; and

(b) whether there is any proposal under consideration of theGovernment to regularize the service of those employees; if so,the time by which it will be implemented?

Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry: (a) Commerce Divisionis presently implementing the following listed four projects, all funded throughPSDP:

1. Restructuring of Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development(PITAD), Islamabad.

2. Trade and Transport Facilitation Project-II: Trade and TransportFacilitation Unit, Islamabad.

3. Purchase of Equipment, Furnishing, Curriculum Development andTraining of Pakistan School of Fashion Design, Lahore.

4. Enhancement in Exhibition Halls and Additional. Technology Worksof Expo Centre Lahore Phase-II, Lahore.

A list showing names and designations of the employees I working in theabove projects at present is enclosed as Annex-I. All of them are working oncontract basis.

(b) The contract employees of the project mentioned at Sr. No.1 abovehad applied for regularization of their services in the Commerce Division throughthe Cabinet Sub-Committee on Regularization of Daily Wages/Contract Employeesin the Ministries /Divisions /Attached Departments /Autonomous Bodies/Organizations etc. Commerce Division examined their cases but found that theapplicants were not eligible under the government policy to be regularized throughthe said Sub-Committee. Some of those applicants later filed a writ petition in thisregard in the Islamabad High Court, Islamabad. The matter is presently sub-judicehence Commerce Division is not in a position to give any timeline for finalization of

20

the case.No proposal is presently under consideration in Commerce Division for

regularization of the services of the contract employees presently working in theremaining ongoing three / projects of Commerce Division.

Annex-I

LIST OF EMPLOYEES WORKING IN THE PSDP FUNDED PROJECTSOF COMMERCE DIVISION AS ON 15-07-2013

1. Restructuring of Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development(PITAD), Islamabad:——————————————————————————————Sr. No. Name Designation—————————————————————————————————————

1. Mr. Fazal-I-Qadar Project Director2. Mr. Sajjid Ahmed Mahar Assistant Project Director3. Mr. Muhammad Tariq Accounts Officer/ DDO4. Mr. Muhammad Shahid Iqbal Administration & Coordination Officer5. Mr. Muhammad Ishfaq Driver6. Mr. Muhammad Dawood Naib Qasid

—————————————————————————————————————2. Trade and Transport Facilitation Project-II: Trade and Transport

Facilitation Unit, Islamabad:——————————————————————————————Sr. No. Name Designation—————————————————————————————————————

1. Syed Irtiqa Ahmed Zaidi Project Director2. Mr. Muhammad Usman Project Accountant3. Mr. Sufyan Samim Khan Project Management & Procurement Specialist4. Mr. Muhammad Akram Research Associate5. Mr. Muhammad Latif Anwer Stenographer6. Ms., Fatima Naz Abbasi Account Assistant7. Mr. Usman Ali Driver8. Mr. Jamil Ahmad Awan Driver9. Mr. Ijaz Ahmed Dispatch Rider

10. Mr. Muhammad Abid Al-Khairi Naib Qasid11. Mr. Jamil Hussain Naib Qasid12. Mr. Muhammad Nadeem Naib Qasid

—————————————————————————————————————3. (Purchase of Equipment, Furnishing, Curriculum Development and

Training of Pakistan School of Fashion Design, Lahore:——————————————————————————————Sr. No. Name Designation—————————————————————————————————————

1. Mr. Muhammad Asim Saleem Software Engineer2. Syed Muhammad Usama Procurement Officer3. Mr. Muhammad Khalid Jamil Accounts Officer4. Mr. Shafeeque Mushtaque Stenographer5. Mr. Aziz Ahmed Stenographer6. Mr. Tariq Bashir Assistant/Record Keeper

21

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Sr. No. Name Designation—————————————————————————————————————

7. Hafiz Munir Ashraf Niazi Driver8. Mr. Afzal Ahmad Dispatch Rider9. Mr. Shahbaz Ahmad Naib Qasid .

10. Mr. Muhammad Nadeem Naib Qasid—————————————————————————————————————

4. Enhancement in Exhibition Halls and Additional Technology Works ofExpo Centre, Lahore Phase-II:——————————————————————————————Sr. No. Name Designation—————————————————————————————————————

1. Mr. Arif Mansur Khosa Chief Operating Officer 2. Mr. Zia Ul Mustafa CFO & Business Administrator3. Mr. Zaka Awan Resident Engineer and Facility Manager4. Mr. Hammad Hasan Hamdani HR & Administration Officer5. Ms. Farhat Nazir Business Development & Sales Officer6. Mr. Sohail Haroon Procurement Officer7. Mr. Ahmad Din Assets & Inventory Officer8. Mr. Imran Mohsin Accounts & Finance Officer9. Syed Afzal Hussain Shah Treasury Officer

10. Mr. Javed Hanif Network Officer11. Mr. Suhail Anjum MIS Officer12. Mr. Attique-ur-Rehman Front Desk Officer

—————————————————————————————————————

42. Dr. Raja Aamer Zaman:


(a) whether it is a fact that a number of Community WelfareAttaches (CWA) have not communicated their quarterly/monthlyperformance report to the Ministry during the last three yearsalongwith the names and countries thereof; and

(b) the action taken by the Ministry against those CWAs so far?

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human ResourceDevelopment (Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a) Community WelfareAttaches (CWAs) posted in Pakistan Missions abroad are required to submittheir Monthly/ quarterly performance reports to the Ministry. Most of them aresubmitting these reports regularly, whenever the reports are delayed/ not receivedfrom them the reminders are issued even at higher level to obtain such reports.However, some of the CWAs are irregular in submitting the required reports,despite issuance of reminders and some time indicating them the displeasure of

22

higher authorities. The details are under:—(i) Sayed Akbar Adil Shah, Community Welfare Attache, posted in

Consulate General of ‘ Pakistan, Toronto (Canada).

(ii) Syed Tehseem ul Haq, Community Welfare Attache, ConsulateGeneral of Pakistan, Jeddah. (KSA).

(b) The Ministry has been issuing explanation letter as well as displeasureletter/ warnings on unnecessary delay in submission of performance reports to thedefaulting CWAs. After issuance of such letters position got improved.

43. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed:

Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state the numberof Ambassadors who got posting in another European Countryimmediately after serving in a European Country during the last fiveyears?

Minister for Foreign Affairs: During the last five years, only threeAmbassadors got their two continuous postings in Europe. Details are as follows:——————————————————————————————S. No. Name of Ambassador Name of Mission Period—————————————————————————————————————

1. Mr. Shafkat Saeed Brussels 30.10.2008-09.11.2009———————————————————Paris 10.11.2009-22.1.2013

2. Ms. Humaira Hassan Madrid (07.11.07 — Aug-2011)———————————————————Lisbon (01.9.2011 — till date)

3. Mr. Rab Nawaz Khan Oslo (12.4.06 — 22.07.10)———————————————————Bucharest (23.07.10 - till date)

——————————————————————————————44. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed:


(a) the total number of employees of the Ministry working in thecountry and abroad at present;

(b) the role of Pakistan in Doha Afghanistan negotiations; and

(c) whether dead bodies of some persons have been brought to thePunjab who have been killed in the internal conflict of Syria; ifso, the details thereof?

23

Minister for Foreign Affairs: (a) Details of the total number of employeesof Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently working at the Headquarters and PakistanMissions abroad is as under:———————————————————————————————

Number of Employees Working at—————————————————————————

MissionsHeadquarters Abroad DTL Total

——————————————————————————————Officers 187 280 27 494Staff members 969 682 — 1651

——————————————————————————————(b) A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s vital interest.

Pakistan has long called for peaceful and negotiated solution to the Afghan conflict.As part of his policy, Pakistan has been extending support for an Afghan-ownedand Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process.

Pakistan welcomed the opening of a Taliban office in Doha on June 18,2013, and the start of direct peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban. Pakistanplayed a constructive and positive role in helping accomplish this important milestonein support of the peace process for Afghanistan.

To facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process, Pakistan has taken a rangeof measures including making an appeal, at the request of the Afghan leadership,to the Afghan groups to enter into dialogue. Pakistan has also engaged with theHigh Peace Council (HPC) and released a number of prisoners.

The Qatar dialogue is an important process. Pakistan hopes that the issuesthat led to the stalling of the process would be resolved and it would recommence.Pakistan stands ready to continue to facilitate the process to achieve lasting peacein Afghanistan in accordance with the wishes of the Afghan people.

(c) According to the information and record of our Mission in Baghdadno dead body of a Pakistani national has been transported from Syria to Pakistanin the recent past. This fact has also been verified from the Syrian Immigrationauthorities. However, it may be mentioned that due to the ongoing internal conflictin Syria, some areas, especially in the North, are not under the Government control.

KARAMAT HUSSAIN NIAZI, Secretary.

ISLAMABAD:The 15th August, 2013.

PCPPI—3160 (2013) NA—15-8-2013—700.