Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) walked out of the National Assembly session on Monday to protest against the ongoing operation against its cadres in Karachi.
MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar told reporters outside Parliament House that that the constitution and law were being sabotaged in Karachi, adding that MQM MNA Ali Raza Abidi’s restaurant was ‘illegally’ sealed by law enforcement officials. Rangers had recently raided Abidi’s popular restaurant in Clifton and claimed that they had taken a target killer in custody from the establishment, which was later sealed.
Before the MQM members walked out of the session, the House was informed that 1,750 MW of power will be added to the grid from wind power by the end of the next year.
Answering questions during Question Hour, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said that five wind power projects with cumulative capacity of 255 MW are operational at the moment in Thatta district. He said that financial closure of nine wind power projects has been completed and these will start working by September next year.
To a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Works Sajid Mehdi told the House that initial planning work and housing designs had been finalised for implementation of the housing programme. He said that initially 1,000 clusters, consisting of 500 housing units will be completed. He said it will benefit 0.5 million eligible families.
Replying to a question, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar said that campaigns had been launched for creating awareness among the masses about Thalassemia and Hemophilia.
She reiterated that blood tests before marriage to control these genetic disorders in the country were integral.
