ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed on Thursday that the government has committed over Rs20 billion during the last four years for the provision of broadband services in Balochistan.
This was stated by Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman while responding to a question in the Senate.
She said that the government is following a policy of providing ultra-high frequency internet services to every citizen of the country. She added that such facilities are available in Mastung, Zhob, Sibbi, Kalat, Awaran, and other areas of Balochistan.
The minister of state also said that the government is providing broadband internet services in three agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), while the facility will be extended in rest of the tribal belt upon security clearance. She added that Dera Ismail Khan is also under this coverage.
Responding to another question, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has become more autonomous since it has been made a limited company. The minister informed that PIA is finalising its strategic business plan 2018-22 to turnaround the airline and make it a profitable entity.
Giving ministerial response to a point of public importance, Rana Muhammad Afzal told the house that 213 Pakistani prisoners have been reportedly detained in Bagram prison in Afghanistan. He said that Afghan authorities have just shown three clusters of 25 prisoners each to Pakistani officials, but they are not sharing further details.
The minister said that the prisoners shown to Pakistani officials are in good health and are being fed properly. He added that the government is trying its best for early repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners.
Responding to another point of public importance, Minister for Climate Change told the house that PIA has suspended its flight from Quetta to Dubai and Quetta to Turbat and Gwadar due to lack of aircraft.
