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4th Session

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT

—————

“QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES”

to be asked at a sitting of the National Assembly to be held on

Thursday, the 17th April, 2008

16. *Mrs. Shakeela Khanam Rashid:

Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:

(a) the year-wise trade volume made between Pakistan and Mali
during the last three years; and

(b) the steps taken by the Government to increase the said trade?

Minister for Commerce (Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi): (a) The trade
volume with Mali for the last three years is given below:—

(Value in million US$)

————————————————————————————————
Years Exports Imports Total Balance
————————————————————————————————
2004-05 0.022 26.285 26.307 (–) 26.263

2005-06 0.200 2.770 2.97 (–) 2.57

2006-07 0.016 24.810 25.826 (–) 24.794

————————————————————————————————
(b) (i) Government of Pakistan(Trade Development Authority of
Pakistan) invited prominent businessmen from Mali to attend Expo
Pakistan – 2007.

(ii) The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry

(FPCCI) is negotiating an MOU with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of
Mali. The FPCCI has already invited the President of Chamber of Commerce &
Industry of Mali to visit Pakistan for signing the MOU on Cooperation between
Chambers of Commerce & Industry of both the countries.
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17. *Mrs. Shakeela Khanam Rashid:

Will the Minister for Commerce be pleased to state:

(a) the total quantity of wheat imported from abroad during the years
2006-07 and 2007-08;

(b) the name and addresses of importers the quantity of wheat

imported by each importers alongwith the names of country from
where the wheat was imported; and

(c) the total foreign exchange spent on the said import?

Minister for Commerce (Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi): (a) Wheat

import during 2006-07 and 2007-08 (July-April) was 135,915 MT and 1,574,847
MT respectively.

(b) Ministry of Commerce does not maintain records of private importers.

However, import sources of wheat, as per FBS import statistics are Australia,
Argentina, Brazil, Canada. Russia, USA and Belgium.

(c) The wheat during 2005-06 was imported at a cost of US$ 41.6 million,
while in 2007-08, TCP’s import of 1.54 Million MT cost US$ 779.3 million.

18. *Mrs. Belum Husnain:

Will the Minister for Finance and Revenue be pleased to state:

(a) the inflation rate in the country registered during the year
2006-07 and 2007-08; and

(b) the steps taken by the Government to control the said inflation?

Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics

(Mr. Muhammd Ishaq Dar): (a) The inflation in the country during the year
2006-07 has been registered at 7.8 percent and in the current year (July-Feb)
2007-08 has been estimated at 8.9 percent.

(b) Following steps have been taken by the government to control the
said inflation:—

z The government provides sugar at reduced rates to the consumers.

The TCP imported sugar which is selling it at subsidized rates to
USC which sells it at government’s fixed rate to the consumers. The
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government picks up the price differential between the cost and sale
price of sugar. In this connection, huge amount of subsidy is being
paid to both TCP and USC.

z The Government provided relief on sale of Atta, pulses and edible oil
at reduced rate through Utility Store Corporation (USC). The USC
also provides selected food items at subsidized rates during the month
of Ramadan every year. The government provided subsidy for the
market price differential on the basis of sales turn-over under these
packages to USC.

z Imports have been liberalized to improve the supply situation of

essential commodities. The government has also allowed duty free
imports of wheat and wheat flour, sugar and other essential consumer
items with a view to augment their supplies and reduce their prices.

z The Government is providing all the pulses and other edibles at Utility
Store Corporation at cheaper rate than the open market prices.

z To ensure competition and fair play in the market, the Monopoly

Control Authority (MCA) has been converted into Competition
Commission of Pakistan (CCP) by providing it effective powers to
prevent non-competitive behavior in the market.

19. *Mrs. Belum Husnain:

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of copies of passports printed during the year
2006-07 and 2007-08;

(b) the number of ordinary, official and diplomatic Passports printed

during the said period, separately;

(c) the total number of copies of passports of each category sent to

the Pakistan embassies in Spain, Italy, Germany and Afghanistan
separately, during that period; and

(d) the number of Passports issued by those Embassies during the

above said period?
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Minister for Interior: ( a) The detail of copies of passports printed during

the years 2006-07 and 2007-08:—
————————————————————————————————
Passport Printed
S. No. Period ————————————————————
Manual Passports MRP Passports
————————————————————————————————
1. 2006-07 7,53,000 20,34,500

2. 2007-08 5,02,000 25,57,000

————————————————————————————————

(b) The detail of Ordinary, Official and Diplomatic passports printed

separately during the said period is given as under:—

MRP PASSPORTS
————————————————————————————————
S. Period Ordinary Official Diplomatic
No.
————————————————————————————————
1. 2006-07 20,00,000 32,000 2500

2. 2007-08 30,05,000 53,000 1000

————————————————————————————————

(c) The details of total number of each category of passports sent to

Embassies in Spain, Italy, Germany and Afghanistan separately, during that period
is given as under:—
————————————————————————————————
S. Name of Passports sent to Passports sent to the
No. Embassy the Pakistan Pakistan Embassies
Embassies (2007-08)
(2006-07)
————————————————————————————————
1. Spain 9,000 2,000
(Up to 12-3-2008)
2. Italy 8,100 2,000
(Up to 16-12-2007)
3. Germany 3,900 2,000
(Up to 26-12-2007)
4. Afghanistan Nil Nil
————————————————————————————————
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(d) The details of total number of passport issued by the Embassies are
given as under:—
————————————————————————————————
S. Name of Passports issued Passports issued
No. Embassy (2006-07) (2007-08)
————————————————————————————————
1. Spain 6,750 1690 (Up to 31-3-08)
2. Italy 6075 1510 (Up to 31-3-08)
3. Germany 2925 735 (Up to 31-3-08)
4. Afghanistan Nil Nil
————————————————————————————————

20. *Mufti Ajmal Khan:

Will the Minister for Finance and Revenue be pleased to state the
district-wise fund allocated by the former Prime Minister out of Khushal
Pakistan Fund during the financial year, 2004-05, 2005-06,
2006-07 and 2007-08?

Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics

(Mr. Muhammd Ishaq Dar): 1. The Khushhal Pakistan Fund (KPF) Company
was incorporated on 19th September, 2005 under Section 42 of Companies
Ordinance, 1984 hence no budget allocation was made for 2004-05.

2. The former Prime Minster, being Chairman of Khushhal Pakistan

Fund Board approved, in its 1st meeting held on 17-03-2006 to launch development
activities in Balochistan. The former Prime Minster approved Rs. 2.9 billion for
Balochistan during the financial year 2005-06, is at Annex.

3. No funds were allocated by the former Prime Minister during the

subsequent financial years i.e. 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Annex
————————————————————————————————
2005-06 Balochistan Amount Disbursed
Name of District (Pak Rs.)
————————————————————————————————
1 Sibi 100 million
2 Loralai 100 million
3 Khuzdar 100 million
4 Nasirabad 100 million
————————————————————————————————
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————————————————————————————————
2005-06 Balochistan Amount Disbursed
Name of District (Pak Rs.)
————————————————————————————————
5 Pishhin 100 million
6 Killa Abdullah 100 million
7 Killa Saifullah 100 million
8 Zohb 100 million
9 Turbat (Kech) 100 million
10 Nushki 100 million
11 Ziarat 100 million
12 Mastung 100 million
13 Kalat 100 million
14 Panjgoor 100 million
15 Kharan 100 million
16 Jhal Magsi 100 million
17 Lasbella 100 million
18 Gawadar 100 million
19 Dera Bugti 100 million
20 Awaran 100 million
21 Musakhel 100 million
22 Barkhan 100 million
23 Jaffarabad 100 million
24 Bolan Chagai 100 million
25 Chagai 100 million
26 Washuk 100 million
27 Quetta 200 million
28 Sheerani 100 million
————————————————————————————————

21. *Mian Abdus Sattar:

Will the Minister for Finance and Revenue be pleased to state the
total amount of external and internal loans of the Government as on
31st December, 1999 separately?

Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics

(Mr. Muhammd Ishaq Dar): The total amount of external and internal loans of
the Government as on 31st December, 1999 was as under:—

(i) External Loans: US$ 28,047 million. (Public & Publicly Guaranteed):

(ii) Internal Loans: Rs.1544.9 billion.

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22. *Mr. Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail:

Will the Minister Incharge of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat be

pleased to state:

(a) the details of work in the earthquake affected areas of District

Mansehra, Abbottabad and Azad Kashmir completed so far; and

(b) the time by which the remaining work in the said areas will be
completed?

Minister Incharge of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat: (a) Detail of

the work in earthquake affected areas of District Mansehra, Abbottabad and AJK
completed so far is annexed.

(b) Planning for reconstruction activities started in April, 2006 after the
successful conclusion of relief phase. The planning phase has now been completed
and work on majority of facilities is in progress. Tenders for the remaining facilities
are being floated and the process is likely to be completed by April, 2009. The
construction work is expected to be accomplished by April, 2011 with the exception
of some mega urban development projects in AJK and New Balakot City.

Annexure

Details of the work in the Earthquake affected areas of AJK District

Mansehra and Abbottabad
————————————————————————————————
AJK District Mansehra District Abbottabad
Sector ————————— ————————— —————————
Work/ Projects Work/ Projects Work/ Projects
completed completed completed
———————————————————————————————————————————
Rural Housing P.D.H.* (38,322) P.D.H. (32,809) P.D.H. (19,896)
C.D.H.** (113,394) C.D.H. (49,930) C.D.H. (11,953)
Total= 151,716 Total = 82,739 Total= 31,849
Roads 5 3 1
Education 81 54 3
Health 20 6 2
Water & Sanitation 738 286 17
Environment 3 — —
Social Protection 2 2 2
Urban Housing 25,124 (houses) — —
Livelihood Cash Grant 133191 beneficiaries 58803 beneficiaries 12583 beneficiaries
———————————————————————————————————————————
* Partially Destroyed Houses
** Completely Destroyed Houses
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23. *Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir:

Will the Minister for Privatization and Investment be pleased to state:

(a) the present status of privatization of the Pakistan Steel Mills,

Karachi; and

(b) whether any action has been taken against those who were found
involved in previous privatization of the said Mills; if so, the
details thereof?

Minister for Privatization and Investment: (a) No. privatisation of

Pakistan Steel is being contemplated at this stage.

(b) No.

24. *Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir:

Will the Minister for Finance and Revenue be pleased to state:

(a) the number of times Pak rupee has been devalued since 1999;

(b) whether it is a fact that during the year, 1999 the exchange rate
of Pound Sterling was at Rs.90; and

(c) whether it is also a fact that the said exchange rate is at Rs.125
at present; if so, the reasons thereof?

Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics

(Mr. Muhammd Ishaq Dar): (a) No devaluation has been made by the
Government in the value of Pak currency since 1999. The value of Pak Rs. vis-à-
vis other currencies is determined by demand and supply situation in the inter-bank
market.

(b) During FY 1999 the average exchange rate of Pak rupee V/s Pound
Sterling was Rs. 82.2135.

(c) Presently, the exchange rate of Pak rupee against Pound Sterling is
Rs. 125.2869. Since 1999 the value of Pak Rupee is determined by the supply and
demand conditions set, official value of Pak rupee compared with any currency
and the exchange rate is impacted by supply and demand of foreign currencies in
the domestic and international financial markets. Hence, there is no concept of
devaluation of the domestic currency.
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25. *Mrs. Yasmeen Rehman:

Will the Minister for Privatization and Investment be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of Government Units privatized during the year,
2004—2007; and

(b) the names of those Units alongwith the prices thereof?

Minister for Privatization and Investment: (a) Twenty Nine (29) units.

(b) Names of entities privatized during the period alongwith their

respective prices are at Annex-A.

Annexure A

Rs. million
————————————————————————————————
Sr. No Unit Name Sale Price
———————————————————————————————————————————
1. Thatta Cement thru Strategic Sale 793.00
2. SSGC 10% - SPO (67,117,000 shares) 1,734.00
3. Kohinoor Oil Mills(Strategic Sale) 80.70
4. PIA 5.8% shares SPO 1,215.10
5. PPL 15% IPO (102,875,000 shares) 5,632.60
6. Falleti’s Hotel Lahore(Strategic Sale) 1,211.00
7. 10°/0 additional shares-Dandot Cement 8.30
8. 10% additional shares-Kohat Cement 40.70
9. 10% additional shares — Ittehad Chemicals 26.10
10. KAPCO 20% IPO (160,798,500 shares) 4,814.80
11. International Advertising (Pvt) Ltd. (Strategic Sale) 5.00
12. NRL (51% including 16% GOP shares) (Strategic Sale) 16,415.00
13. Pak Arab Fertilizers (Pvt) Ltd. (94.8%)(Strategic Sale) 14,125.60
14. Sh Fazal Rehman(addl- 10% shares) (Strategic Sale) 2.30
15. 26% (1.326 billion) B class of shares of PTCL (Strategic Sale) 156,328.40
16. UBL 4.2% IPO (21,867,000 shares) 1,087.20
17. United Industries Limited(Strategic Sale) 7.70
18. Carrier Telephone Industries(Strategic Sale) 500.00
19. Bolan Textile Mills(Asset Sale) 128.00
20. KESC (73% GOP shares) (Strategic Sale) 15,859.70
21. Mustehkam Cement Limited(Strategic Sale) 3,204.90
22. Pak American Fertilizers (100%)(Strategic Sale) 15,949.00
23. Javedan Cement Company Limited(Strategic Sale) 4,315.90
24. Lasbella ‘Textile Mills(Asset Sale) 156.00
25. Lyallpur Chemical & Fertilizers (Strategic Sale) 280.20
26. OGDCL 9.5% GDR (408,588,000 Shares) 46,963.00
27. OGDCL 0.5% SPO (21,505,000 shares) 2,359.60
28. UBL 25 % GDR 39,450.70
29. HBL 7.5% thru IPO (51,750,000 shares) 12,161.00
———————————————————————————————————————————
Total : 344,855.50
———————————————————————————————————————————
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26. *Mrs. Yasmeen Rehman:

Will the Minister Incharge of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat be

pleased to state:

(a) the donation/grants/loans received for affectees of earthquake

areas in the country during the period from October, 2005 to
November, 2007 alongwith the names of donor countries/
organization; and

(b) utilization of the said amount during that period?

Minister Incharge of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat: (a) The

requisite information regarding Foreign Aid (donations/grants/loans) received for
earthquake affected areas in the country during the period from October, ; 2005 to
March, 2008 is as under:—

(i) Pledged US$ 6.5 billion

(ii) Committed US$ 5.9 billion
(iii) Disbursed US$ 3.41 billion
(iv) Balance US$ 2.5 billion

(b) The amount utilized so far is US$ 3,410.45 million.

Details are at Annex-I.

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27. Transferred to the Food, Agriculture and Livestock Division for answer
on next Rota Day.

28. *Mr. Humair Hayat Rokhri:

Will the Minister Incharge of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat be

pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that fee for PCR tests of Hepatitis B and C at
NORI, Islamabad is charged from Federal Government
employees; if so, the justification thereof; and

(b) whether there is any proposal to exempt Federal Government

employees from the said fee; if so, when it will be implemented?

Minister Incharge of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat: (a) PCR tests

started at NORI, Islamabad in July, 2006. Initially the patients including Government
servants were charged as no funds were allocated to provide free of cost facility.
(b) The entitled Government employees and deserving poor patients were
allowed free of cost tests w.e.f. 27-3-2007 when funds were allocated for such
facility.

29. Deferred for answer on next Rota Day.

30 *Raja Muhammad Asad Khan:

Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state:

(a) the details of cases registered against illegal human trafficking

abroad during the period from January, 2003 to January, 2008;
and

(b) the action taken against the persons involved therein?

Minister for Interior: (a) Details of cases registered under Prevention

and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance (PACHTO) 2002, Emigration
Ordinance (E.O)1979 and other relevant laws, against the illegal human traffickers
from 2003 to 29-02-2008 is as under:—
————————————————————————————————
Break-up 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 29-02-2008
————————————————————————————————
Brought 2439 2376 3224 3219 2974 989
Forwarded
Added 2196 3241 4050 3922 3090 880
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Total 4635 5617 7274 7141 6064 1869

Finalized 2259 2393 4055 4167 5075 792
Pending 2376 3224 3219 2974 989 1077
————————————————————————————————
Interceptions of illegal immigrants by Inter Agency Task Force (IATF),
established in September 2005, is as under:—
————————————————————————————————
Interceptions by 2006 2007 02-04-08
————————————————————————————————
FIA 2091 4534 823
Frontier Corps 3297 4533 181
Coast Guards 1198 1560 503
Balochistan Levies 161 11 —
Balochistan Police 685 4809 —
Security Agency — 55 13
————————————————————————————————
Total : 7432 10703 1520
————————————————————————————————
(b) Action taken against the persons involved from 2003 to 29-02-2008
is follows:

Court Work:
———————————————————————————————————————————
Break up 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 29-02-2008
———————————————————————————————————————————
B. Forwarded 3506 3566 4641 6245 7029 8208

Added Challan 1205 2138 3136 4240 7277 977

Total (Challan) 4711 5704 7899 9426 14306 9185

Convicted 503 620 1091 1448 5022 827

Acquitted 185 117 180 262 216 37

CRR 457 326 383 689 860 251

Decided 1145 1063 1654 2399 6098 1115

Pending 3566 4641 6245 7029 8208 8070

———————————————————————————————————————————

KARAMAT HUSSAIN NIAZI,

Secretary.
ISLAMABAD :
The 16th April, 2008.
PCPPI—454(08) NA—16-04-2008—700.