- Rs32 billion to be allocated for security network
- Nisar says 878, including 232 security personnel killed in 1017 attacks in six months
The prime minister is convening a meeting of all the four chief ministers next week with an aim to seek their inputs on the internal security policy.
Speaking in the National Assembly (NA) Friday during question hour, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan assured the House that genuine suggestions of the chief ministers will be incorporated in the policy.
The minister said that the National Security Policy envisages allocation of Rs32 billion for the strengthening of internal security network. He said the country’s security and law and order is the foremost issues and all available resources will be used to deal with the situation.
He emphasised the need for greater coordination amongst the provinces to cope with the issue of terrorism. In this regard, he said the provinces and the federation should hold joint meetings every month.
About the compensation for the security personnel martyred in terrorist attacks, the Minister assured that the compensation package will be enhanced besides giving a special package to those seriously injured. He informed the House that 1,017 terror incidents took place in different parts of the country during the last six months claiming the lives of 878 people including 232 security personnel.
The House was told that a process has been started to gradually transform the financial system in accordance with the Islamic principles.
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal replying to a question said that a steering committee has been constituted to develop proposals and recommendations for transforming the banking system in conformity with Shariah principles. He said currently 20 percent financial dealings have been shifted to Islamic banking.
About the privatisation policy of the government, Rana Afzal said Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and Pakistan Petroleum Limited are not being privatised. Only minority shares are being considered for divestment to capital market and management will remain with the government.
He said restructuring of various institutions including PIA and Pakistan Steel Mills are being initiated in consultation with the stakeholders. The restructuring plan of Pakistan Steel Mills is expected next month.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal told the House that the government plans to organise a national social summit with the provincial governments and other stakeholders to speed up development of social sector and achieve the millennium development goals. Every effort is being made to ensure timely releases for the social sector. The federal government in cooperation with provincial governments has launched a drive to increase enrollment in the education sector. He said the country is on track on ten out of 34 indicators of MDGs.
Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Raja Javed Ikhlas said the government is committed to eliminate load-shedding before the end of its term. He said the prime minister has performed the ground-breaking of several power projects while several are in the pipeline.
NO OPERATION UNDERWAY IN FATA
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan categorically stated that neither a military operation was being carried out in the tribal areas nor any decision of this sort has yet been taken.
Replying to a point of order in the NA by Dr Arif Alvi, the interior minister said the decision of military operation will be taken with consultation.
About the plight of people migrating from the tribal areas, the minister assured that a policy framework will be evolved in the next few days to provide all possible relief to these people.
A committee under Minister for SAFRON has already been constituted to look into the matters of fleeing people. He said Ministry of Interior, FATA and Governor Secretariat will support the effort of the Ministry for SAFRON. He, however, said that the flow of people from the tribal areas is not as much as has been reported. Those moved from the tribal areas have also preferred to live with their relatives in Bannu, Peshawar and other areas. He said it was our utmost effort to ensure zero collateral damage during the precision or targeted strikes carried out in recent days.
