China intends to establish 4 to 5 economic zones in Pakistan: Senate

The Senate was informed on Friday that Rs 1830 million have been invested in the promotion of marble and granite sector in the country.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the house during question hour that dedicated marble cities are being established with state of the art infrastructure to attract investor and foster industrialisation.

He said a marble city in Risalpur is near completion, while another marble city has been developed in FATA. To a question, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal informed the house that the provinces are currently carrying out feasibility studies for the establishment of special economic zones under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

He said China has also offered to extend cooperation in the establishment of four to five economic zones in different parts of the country. We have successfully addressed all the reservations of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on the project, he added.

The senate also passed a unanimous resolution urging that the UN Security Council resolutions recognising the inalienable right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people should be implemented forthwith.

The resolution moved by Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people over the recent wave of atrocities unleashed by the Indian troops in the Indian-held Valley.

The resolution said that black laws including Public Safety Act and other punitive measures in occupied Kashmir should be repealed immediately which are repugnant to human rights.

Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Sassui Palijo, Law and Justice Minister Zahid Hamid told the house that the new National Finance Commission (NFC) has started its work.

He said this commission met in April last year and constituted four working groups. The three working groups have already submitted their reports, while the fourth one is also on the cards.

The minister clarified that the 7th NFC award has not expired rather it has been given a legal cover through a presidential order. The house will now meet on Monday.