ISLAMABAD – Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that the PML-Q government had provided grants of Rs 17.6 million to different bar associations during year 2007-08.
In contrast, the PPP government multiplied these grants manifold and released Rs223.90 million in grant for various bar associations and the bar councils during the last financial year.
“During 2009-10, Punjab’s bar associations received Rs 87.50 million in grant. Bar associations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa got Rs33.50 million. Balochistan’s bar associations received Rs46.20 million. Sindh’s bar associations Rs10.6 million and bar associations of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan obtained grants of Rs20 million,” said the minister.
In addition, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) was given Rs20 million and Bar Councils of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received Rs10 million each. The funds are being released with the approval of Secretary Law being the Principal Accounting Officer of the Ministry while the grants are being issued keeping in view the requirements of Bars and number of Advocates on the roll of the Bars, added the minister.
ISLAMABAD – Minister for Defence Ch Ahmad Mukhtar on Wednesday informed the Lower House of the Parliament that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had suffered a loss of Rs 70.5 million due to floods while the PIA did not incur any loss.
However, he added, relief goods were carried by PIA from all on-line points both domestic and international as a service to the nation by the national flag carrier free of cost. Replying to questions submitted by the MNAs during the Question Hour, the minister said the already crumbling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was having an estimated loss of Rs 6.8 million per week, by using an alternate route for operation of its flights due to the closure of airspace by Russia.
“The Russian authorities have not completely closed its airspace for operations of PIA flights. Rather, they have cleared nine out of the 39 flights per week for over-flying Russian airspace. This is due to misunderstanding/misinterpretation of relevant clause of bilateral Air Services Agreement between Pakistan and Russia.
The matter has been taken up with Russian authorities,” he added. He said at present, there was no proposal to purchase aircraft for PIA during the year 2010-11. PIAC’s Business Plan 2010-2014 and Corporate Budget 2011 are in final stages of approval. Purchase proposals can only be provided after the approval.
He said the PIAC has grounded three aircrafts permanently on the basis of high maintenance cost needed to keep them airworthy. Staff Report
