ISLAMABAD, Nov 07 (APP):The Senate Committee on Privatization and Statistics Tuesday recommended for official notification of the provisional data of recently concluded 6th Population and Housing Census 2017.
The committee also recommended for constitution of a committee of Members of Parliament (MPs) to analyze the authenticity of census process and data processing besides recommending for speeding up the census data compilation process by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The meeting of the committee was held at the headquarters of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) under the chairmanship of Senator Mohsin Aziz. Among others, it was attended by senators, Hamza, Sherry Rehman, Khushbakht Shujat, Nasreen Jalil and Hari Ram and top officials of the bureau.
Mohshin Aziz said that it was time to decide way forward as there were reservations over the census results. “How to move forward (for elections) when there is hue and cry shown towards the accuracy of data,” he remarked.
He was of the view that the MPs committee would visit PBS and check the process of data compilation and suggest if there was any need for improvement.
He was of the view that the PBS should install more scanners and computers to speed up its data compilation process.
Meanwhile, senator Sherry Rehman pointed out towards a basic flaw in the census mechanism saying that counterfoil was missing in the mechanism while collecting the census data.
However, the PBS officials clarified that the design of census was developed by a technical committee which comprised of demographers and technical experts.
The committee was also of the view that the PBS should establish its offices in all the provinces so that if people have any complaint about the collection of data that could be rectified.
Meanwhile, Asif Bajwa PBS Consultant on Census gave a detailed presentation to the committee clarifying various issues that had been the basis of controversies. He informed the committee that there might be some variation in the provisional and final data.
He said that as per the international standard, 5 percent variation was standard however expressed the hope that it would be round about 1.5 against the variation of 1.3 per cent recorded in 1998 census.
He informed the committee that based on the current population growth, the population of the country would double by 2032.
Earlier, the committee members also visited the data processing and compilation units of PBS.
Senate body recommends notification of provisional census data
High Power transmission line from Chashma -D.I.Khan to be completed by March 2018
ISLAMABAD, Nov 07 (APP):Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Khan Leghari has said that power transmission line from Chashma to D.I.Khan would be completed by March 2018.
He stated this while responding to the Calling Attention Notice regarding current status of long standing under construction Chashma-Zhob power transmission line.
The minister said that Chashma-Zhob power transmission line would be constructed in two phases. He said first phase would be from Chasham to D.I.Khan and other from D.I.Khan to Zhob.
The minister said that first phase would be completed by March 2018 while completion of other phase would take 2-3 years as negotiations have been finalized with Asian Development Bank. However, he said that it has been directed to expedite work on this project.
The minister said that there are 30,000 agriculture tube wells in the Balochistan and these are being provided electricity by QESCO. He said that plan is ready to convert 10,000 such tube wells on alternate energy like solar energy.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs also responded to another Calling Attention Notice about increase in power tariff. He said that NEPRA reviews the performance of Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and price fixation is its responsibility.
He said that DISCOs asked for increase in electricity prices but their proposal was rejected by NEPRA. Following rejection from NEPRA, DISCOs approached Islamabad High Court which directed for review the prices. He said that only 48 paisas per unit have been increased and information about Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 per unit is not correct.
Meanwhile, the Chair admitted an adjournment motion for debate about arising out of reservations expressed by various quarters on conducting of the recent census 2017. It was moved by PPPP Senator Taj Haider.
On behalf Chairman Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Narcotics Control,
a member of Committee Senator Mohsin Leghari presented special report of the Committee on the matter of non-payment of three percent regulatory duty by the regulatory agencies i.e. SECP, NEPRA, OGRA, PTA and PEMRA of their annual fees to the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) under the CCP Act
Minister for Human Rights Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar presented Annual Report of the National Commission on the Status of Women for the year 2015-16, as required under sub-section (2) of section 16 of the National Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2012.
PM directs relevant departments for measures to address smog related power outages
ISLAMABAD, Nov 7 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday directed greater coordination among relevant departments and advance planning to meet the situation caused by the dry spell and the smog that was causing tripping of electricity transmission lines.
While chairing a meeting to review power generation and demand supply situation in the country here at the PM Office, the Prime Minister was informed that apart from smog related unscheduled outages, power was being supplied to all areas similar to the situation prior to October 30. It was informed that unprecedented early advent of smog was likely to continue due to dry spell.
Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Secretaries of Power and Petroleum divisions and concerned senior government officials were present during the meeting.
The Prime Minister was also informed about efforts to meet the challenge arising out of smog and weather conditions in the country.
In this context, the meeting was informed that a team of experts has been sent to China for studying Beijing model of transmission so that effective measures could be taken in the smog hit areas, a statement from the PM Office said.
The Prime Minister was briefed over the recent power outage that affected South Punjab, Upper Sindh and other areas of the country. The meeting was informed that acute water shortage also contributed towards reduced hydel generation. On October 27, hydel generation stood at 2167 MW compared to 3088 MW on the same day last year. Low water availability as well as minimum indenting by provinces resulted in this situation.
In addition, non-availability of gas due to scheduled outage of LNG terminal resulted in reduced generation from LNG-based power plants. However, effective measures have been taken to eliminate demand/supply gap which has resulted in restoration of required capacity.
The Prime Minister was also briefed about the progress on discussions regarding converting tube-wells to solar power in Balochistan. The Prime Minister emphasized upon the need for early finalization of the plan to save huge losses, being incurred by the provincial and the federal government while footing electricity bills and non-payment of dues on tube-well connections. He directed AEDB to develop a concept paper on urgent basis.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for long-term power sector program, with clear targets for induction of power fromvarious sources and said it would enable the country have reliable power at affordable cost throughout the year.
Parliamentary exchanges significant for deepening Pak-Poland bilateral cooperation: PM
ISLAMABAD, Nov 7 (APP): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said parliamentary exchanges were significant for deepening bilateral cooperation as well as developing understanding for each other’s views on important global and regional developments.
The prime minister was talking to Marshal of Senate of Republic of Poland Stanislaw Karczewski, who called on him here at the PM’s Office.
Pakistan-Poland bilateral relations and avenues for further strengthening them, besides existing mutual cooperation between the two countries came under discussion during the meeting, a press release issued by the PM’s Media Office here said.
Highlighting the importance of exploring new avenues of cooperation, particularly through strengthening of institutional mechanisms, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for strengthening of economic cooperation especially in the areas of energy, agriculture and food processing.
He said the growing economy of Pakistan offered Polish investors and business community vast opportunities in diverse areas to undertake profitable business ventures.
Stanislaw Karczewski thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome he had received and expressed his government’s desire to further strengthening its relations with Pakistan.
Senator Gianchand, Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Piotr A. Opalinski, and other senior government officials were also present in the meeting.
Parliamentary parties fail to agree on bill for delimitation of constituencies
ISLAMABAD, Nov 07 (APP):Leaders of Parliamentary parties in the National Assembly during a meeting on Tuesday failed to agree on a bill on delimitation of constituencies but agreed that general elections should be held on time next year.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq chaired the meeting at the Parliament House here so that parliamentary leaders can overcome differences on the bill.
The parliamentary leaders discussed different suggestions to reach an understanding on the bill for new delimitation of constituencies after the census held this year. The census was held after a gap of almost two decades.
Talking to media after the meeting, the parliamentary leaders of major parties expressed the desire that delay in elections should be avoided.
Speaker National Assembly told that all the parties desire that elections should be held on time.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said PTI wanted that polls should be held as per schedule.
Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid briefed the leaders of parliamentary parties over the issues concerning the delimitation of constituencies.
Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf had reservations over the bill. Muttahida Qaumi Movement had objected over the census figures for the city of Karachi.
Reportedly, PPP wanted that the matter should be first referred to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) before tabling of the bill in the National Assembly.
Speaker NA Ayaz Sadiq will again chair a meeting on Wednesday in an effort to arrive at consensus on the issue of delimitation of constituencies.
No country provided free crude oil to Pakistan so far: Senate told
ISLAMABAD, Nov 07 (APP):Minister for Power Division Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday informed the Senate that no country, including Saudi
Arabia, had provided crude oil to Pakistan free or on concessional rate so far except on deferred payment.
Replying to various queries during the Question Hour, the minister said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia did not provided free of
charge crude oil to Pakistan during 2008-2010.
No foreign country was currently providing crude oil to Pakistan at lower than the market price, he added.
To a question, he said Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline would start from the onshore gas processing facility at Assaluyeh in Iran to transverse a distance of 1150 km up to the Iran-Pakistan border, which would be built and operated by Iran. The Pakistan section
of the pipeline (781 km) was to be laid closely to the Makran costal highway from Iran Pakistan border up to Pakistan off-take point
at Nawabshah, he added.
He said the gas volume was 750 MMcfd and the government was committed to the execution of the Iran-Pakistan Gas
Pipeline Project. However, due to international sanctions on Iran, Pakistan issued Force Majeure notice to Iran in March 2014. In
view thereof Pakistan proposed to amend the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) enabling the parties to complete their
respective sections of the pipelines within the extended period, he added.
The minister said the project came under discussion during the visit of President of Iran to Pakistan in March 2016. Both sides agreed to resolve all outstanding issues, he added.
He said the approval of the competent authority had been sought to negotiate amendment in the GSPA with Iran.
To a supplementary question, he said Iran had already been providing electricity to Gwadar through 132 KV transmission line. Now the Cabinet’s Committee on Energy had approved an agreement to get more electricity through 220 KV transmission line for
Gwadar till completion of 300-MW coal power plant being set up under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he added.
The minister said the lease contract period of Saindak CopperGold Project (District Chagai, Balochistan) between Saindak
Metals Limited (SML) and Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) had been extended for five years from November 01 , 2017 to October 31, 2022 with the approval of competent authority (Federal Cabinet) and that also with consultation/consent of the Balochistan government.
7th CPEC JCC to meet on Nov 21
ISLAMABAD, Nov 7 (APP):The 7th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) between the two countries is scheduled to be held here on November 21, sources in ministry of Planning and Development said.
The meeting would prominently take up the issue of industrial cooperation in agenda of the committee. The meeting would also approve new projects of Special Economic Zones to be constructed along CPEC routs across the country.
The sources added that representatives from private sector investment and business community would be specially invited in the meeting as the government wants to engage the private sector and business community in materializing the phase of Industrial Cooperation under CPEC.
Furthermore, financial agreements on three road projects, including KKH (remaining portion), D.I. Khan to Zhob and Khuzdar to Basima is also likely to be signed at the 7th JCC meeting.
Meanwhile the ministry also convened a meeting under the chairmanship of Minister for Planning and Development and Interior Ahsan Iqbal here the other day with the business community aimed at taking the chambers and business community on board in order to incorporate their viewpoint and ensure a broad consensus with respect to development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) prior 7th JCC.
During the meeting the minister also stressed upon completing feasibility and other formalities of Gilgit-Shandur-Chitral-Chakdara and Naukundi-Mashkhel-Panjgaur roads coinciding with the JCC meeting.
About the provision of electricity to Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr Iqbal directed the Ministry of Energy to expedite the already identified potential power projects for GB for their approval by the JCC.
The JCC is the apex decision-making forum on the CPEC which is jointly chaired by the planning and development minister and the vice chairman of National Development and Reform Commission of China.
India provoking China to win support for Indian PM in next election: Research Fellow
BEIJING, Nov 7 (APP): By allowing high-level officials to visit the disputed area, India is provoking China in order to win support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 elections,” Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of International Relations said Tuesday.
India normally creates trouble for China when bilateral ties deteriorate, which shows the immaturity of Indian officials, Hu told Global times.
India is also envious over US President Donald Trump’s forthcoming visit to China, so it tries to hype the “border issue” in order to do some “petty action.” “But China will remain restrained,” he said.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson yesterday slammed Indian side and said that the senior Indian official’s visit to the disputed area in the eastern part of the China-India border will further complicate the border issue with China, while an expert said the visit is not conducive to repairing Sino-Indian ties damaged by the Doklam standoff.
“We believe that the Indian official’s visit to the disputed area will further complicate the border issue, and will not be conducive to maintaining peace and tranquility in the relevant region,” Hua Chunying said during her press briefing.
India’s Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the South Tibet area (which India calls Arunachal Pradesh) to inspect defense preparedness.
“China has a clear stance on the China-India border and there are some disputes on the eastern section of the China-India border,” Hua said.
On June 18, Indian troops illegally crossed the border and trespassed into Chinese territory in Doklam.
Zeba prepares for her new film
LAHORE, Nov 07 (APP):Film star and director Zeba Bakhtiar
has started paper work for production of her new film under
her own direction.
Talking to APP here on Tuesday, she said that the success of
Pakistani films, realesed on Eid, encouraged Pakistani producers.
She said that time is not away when Pakistani films will again
establish their identity worldwide.
Zeba Bakhtiar said that young Pakistani actors and technicians
were doing hard work to restore the Pakistan film industry.
She said that now modern equipment and machinery is being used
to produce films of international standards.
Chinese Air Force team to stage aerobatic performance in Pakistan
BEIJING, Nov 7 (APP):The aerobatic team of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force will visit Pakistan and stage its performances there on November 20, official sources confirmed on Tuesday.
The Chinese team comprising seven J-10 aerobatic fighter jets and two IL-76 transport aircraft will participate in the Dubai Air Show in United Arab Emirates (UAE) prior to its visit to Pakistan.
Shen Jinke, spokesman of the PLA Air Force, said the air force is ready for pragmatic exchange and cooperation in more fields and many levels with air forces of other countries and to make new contributions to peace and development.
The team has staged more than 600 aerobatic shows for delegations from 168 countries and regions. It has also visited several countries for performances, including Russia and Thailand.