Summary The House will commence debate on the Presidential address from tomorrow.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said the government has imposed ban on the issuance of new arms licenses in a bid to improve overall law and order situation in the country.
During the question hour in the National Assembly on Thursday‚ he said over seventy thousand arms licenses were issued by the previous government which contributed to worsening of law and order situation. He said old arms licenses will go under review and new computerized NADRA licenses will be issued replacing the old ones.
The Minister said the government is in close coordination with the provincial governments to check sale of illegal weapons. He said thousands of people involved in sale of illegal weapons have been arrested.
On a point of order‚ the Interior Minister expressed concerns over recent incidents of violence in Egypt. He said Egypt is a sovereign country but this is an era of democracy and violations of human rightsand massacre of people cannot be allowed.
Responding to the points of orders‚ Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said a meeting of major parliamentarian parties will be held this month to evolve a consensus over national security policy.
He said the government will also welcome the inputs of all the parliamentarians on the security policy.
He said the security policy will envisage a strong intelligence system to strengthen the security institutions.
The Interior Minister called upon the provincial governments to devise proactive security policies to deal with the current situation‚ which is very serious. He said the federal government on its part will continue to support the provincial governments in handling law and order situation. He said the entire nation including all political parties and institutions will have to join hands to deal with the situation.
The Minister said federal government is sharing intelligence reports with the provincial governments and it is their responsibility under the 18th amendment to handle the security situation. He urged the provincial governments to activate their intelligence institutions including CID and Special Branch to thwart terror attacks.
Responding to the concerns of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf regarding election rigging‚ Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said a committee of the House should be constituted to investigate the entire matter and furnish proposals for electoral reforms.
He said the committee should be given a timeframe of one month to complete its findings and proposals. He said the committee should be fully authorized to summon former caretaker Prime Minister and caretaker Chief Ministers in order to expose the truth to the public. He said those involved in rigging should be de-seated.
Leader of the Opposition Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah welcomed the government s decision to form a committee on election rigging and electoral reforms.
The Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi asked the heads of the parties to nominate their members for a meeting tomorrow on terms of reference of the committee.
Minister of State for Privatization Khurram Dastgir on behalf of the Finance Minister told the House the government has retired circular debt amounting to 480.109 billion rupees‚ which has helped enhance electricity generation.
He said new power projects are being launched to cope with the electricity crisis. Efforts are being made to bring Neelum-Jhelum and Nandipur projects into the system at the earliest.
The Minister of State said the government is determined to enhance the growth rate by restoring the confidence of investors and other measures. He assured that reforms will be introduced in public sector entities including Pakistan International Airlines‚ Pakistan Steel and Pakistan Railways to make them profitable.
Responding to a supplementary question‚ Khurram Dastgir said the government plans to privatize some public sector entities in future. Privatization of twenty-four units already approved by Council of Common Interests will be given priority.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad laid before the National Assembly an authenticated copy of the Presidential Address to the both Houses of Parliament.
The House will commence debate on the Presidential address from tomorrow.
The House has adjourned to meet again on 10.00 a.m. tomorrow.
