Manend Team 
RAWALPINDI, (MANEND NEWS): Minister for Railways Senator Azam
Khan Swati has said Pakistan Railways will be made a profitable entity
under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Responding to the queries of Senators during question hour in the
Senate on Thursday, Azam Swati said a business plan for Pakistan
Railways is being prepared. He said he has also approached the
provincial governments to recover the outstanding amount payable to
Pakistan Railways. He regretted that political appointments were made
in the organization in the past.
The Minister for Railways said land of Pakistan Railways worth about
ten billion rupees has been retrieved from the land mafia over the last
one month.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Syed Shibli Faraz
said a plan has been made to make Pakistan Television (PTV) a
financially viable institution. He said our efforts are to help the PTV
stand on its own feet and revive its old glory.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the
house that legislation has been done for the protection of rights of
children. He said a National Commission has been constituted to take
necessary steps for the protection of rights of children. He said
Islamabad Capital Territory Administration will soon carry out a child
labour survey with the help of UNICEF.
The house on Thursday passed The Senate Secretariat Services
Amendment Bill 2021. It was moved by Leader of Opposition Raja
Muhammad Zafarul Haq.
Responding to the points of PPP leader Mian Raza Rabbani, Leader of
House Shahzad Waseem said it is utmost effort of the present
government to bring improvement and transparency in the Senate
elections. He lamented the use of malpractices in the polls of the
upper house. He said we should leave behind good traditions and
legislation to improve the image of the parliament.
Sherry Rehman of PPP said they also want transparency in the Senate
polls. She said the government should have taken the opposition into
confidence regarding the constitutional amendment for open balloting.
Faisal Javed of PTI in his remarks reminded the PPP and the PML (N) of
the commitment they made in the Charter of Democracy (COD) for
open balloting in the Senate polls. He said the opposition should
support the government on legislation of public interest.
The house today held discussion on the President’s address to the joint
sitting of the parliament.
Mohsin Aziz said the President made a very balanced speech and
touched different aspects including the economy.
Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Qayyum said the President is the
symbol of federation and his conduct should be impartial one.
Kabir Muhammad Shahi said class based education system should be
done away with and focus should be given to provide quality education
to all. Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was critical of the government for
increasing the prices of petroleum products. The house has now been
prorogued.
