Balochistan, K-P security: Senate told 73 wings of civil armed forces needed
Senator Abdul Qayyum says security forces manning borders need helicopters
A photo of Pakistan army. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
There is a requirement of an additional 73 wings of civil armed forces in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), for which an amount of Rs95 billion is needed, said Senator Abdul Qayyum on Monday.
He was speaking in the Senate on a calling attention notice on delay in enhancing the capacity of civil armed forces to meet border management challenges.
Firing at Torkham border left nine Pakistani civilians injured
The senator stated that Rangers in Karachi require security cameras, adding that civil armed forces require helicopters, night-vision and telecommunications equipment.
Minister of State Balighur Rehman replied there was a plan to set up 22 wings for civil armed forces and six for Special Security Division (SSD). But so far, over 6,000 personnel of civil armed forces have been recruited against sanctioned posts of 17,000. From as many as 4,000 personnel of SSD, over 3,000 have been recruited. Process of purchase of arms is underway, Baligh added.
Senate three-year budget
The details of expenditures on Senate over the last three years – from 2012-2013 to 2015-2016 – were shared in the House. “This may be the first time in Pakistan’s parliamentary history that the budget of the Senate has been presented in the House,” Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said. He added that it was being placed before the House for purposes of transparency and for the information of the people.
The chairman also confirmed that the Senate Secretariat had received a report booked by human rights activist Marvi Sirmed against Senator Hafiz Hamdullah from Kohsar police station. However, it was an intimation the chairman said he would take the House into confidence before taking any decision.
‘Unprovoked firing’: Curfew in Torkham as Pakistan lodges protest
Rabbani brushed aside impressions that the permission of Senate chairman is essential before initiating investigations against Senator Hafiz Hamdullah, a JUI-F member, who misbehaved with Marvi Sirmad in TV talk show.
Quoting rules, he said, the Senate chairman should be informed about the investigations carried out against any senator for his involvement in any offence. Rules require only intimation not permission for starting investigations against Hafiz Hamdullah, he said.
Salaries and perks of ECP
Senator Saleem Mandviwala presented the report of Finance Committee on the issue of salaries and allowances of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Mandviwala informed the House that salaries, allowances and privileges were released to members of the ECP without the approval of the Finance Division for the last five years. The ECP members had written a letter to the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues to ask for their salaries. Ministry of Finance said that AGPR started issuing the salaries to the ECP employees, for which no permission is required. However, the salaries were paid without any legislation.
Budget debate continues
Senator Babar Awan called the budget anti-federation and anti-constitutional and anti-provinces. He noted that the session of the National Finance Commission was not called, the budget was presented without population census.
Border management system starts functioning at Torkham
Senator Tahir Hussain Mashadi charged the government with institutionalised and legal corruption. He complimented the military on its performance, however, he said the government was not complementing the military. He expressed concern over the disappearance of the National Action Plan.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2016.
There is a requirement of an additional 73 wings of civil armed forces in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), for which an amount of Rs95 billion is needed, said Senator Abdul Qayyum on Monday.
He was speaking in the Senate on a calling attention notice on delay in enhancing the capacity of civil armed forces to meet border management challenges.
Firing at Torkham border left nine Pakistani civilians injured
The senator stated that Rangers in Karachi require security cameras, adding that civil armed forces require helicopters, night-vision and telecommunications equipment.
Minister of State Balighur Rehman replied there was a plan to set up 22 wings for civil armed forces and six for Special Security Division (SSD). But so far, over 6,000 personnel of civil armed forces have been recruited against sanctioned posts of 17,000. From as many as 4,000 personnel of SSD, over 3,000 have been recruited. Process of purchase of arms is underway, Baligh added.
Senate three-year budget
The details of expenditures on Senate over the last three years – from 2012-2013 to 2015-2016 – were shared in the House. “This may be the first time in Pakistan’s parliamentary history that the budget of the Senate has been presented in the House,” Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said. He added that it was being placed before the House for purposes of transparency and for the information of the people.
The chairman also confirmed that the Senate Secretariat had received a report booked by human rights activist Marvi Sirmed against Senator Hafiz Hamdullah from Kohsar police station. However, it was an intimation the chairman said he would take the House into confidence before taking any decision.
‘Unprovoked firing’: Curfew in Torkham as Pakistan lodges protest
Rabbani brushed aside impressions that the permission of Senate chairman is essential before initiating investigations against Senator Hafiz Hamdullah, a JUI-F member, who misbehaved with Marvi Sirmad in TV talk show.
Quoting rules, he said, the Senate chairman should be informed about the investigations carried out against any senator for his involvement in any offence. Rules require only intimation not permission for starting investigations against Hafiz Hamdullah, he said.
Salaries and perks of ECP
Senator Saleem Mandviwala presented the report of Finance Committee on the issue of salaries and allowances of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Mandviwala informed the House that salaries, allowances and privileges were released to members of the ECP without the approval of the Finance Division for the last five years. The ECP members had written a letter to the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues to ask for their salaries. Ministry of Finance said that AGPR started issuing the salaries to the ECP employees, for which no permission is required. However, the salaries were paid without any legislation.
Budget debate continues
Senator Babar Awan called the budget anti-federation and anti-constitutional and anti-provinces. He noted that the session of the National Finance Commission was not called, the budget was presented without population census.
Border management system starts functioning at Torkham
Senator Tahir Hussain Mashadi charged the government with institutionalised and legal corruption. He complimented the military on its performance, however, he said the government was not complementing the military. He expressed concern over the disappearance of the National Action Plan.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2016.