Gas be supplied to area first where discovered, rules NA dy speaker

State minister says allocation of Rs3.9tr for repaying debt is one of the steps towards self-reliance

ISLAMABAD:

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani on Thursday ruled that gas should be supplied to the area first where it is discovered and added that companies exploring natural resources should be made bound to employ locals of the area.

The lower house met under the chairmanship of Durrani.

Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik said that the OGDCL and Mari Petroleum engaged in exploration of natural resources in North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu district had provided employment to several locals in these areas.

Malik said these companies were bound to employ local people under the contract.

He sent the matter to the relevant standing committee.

Durrani ruled that gas should be supplied to the area first where it is discovered.

Replying to various queries during the question hour, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha said that “we should move forward towards self-reliance and develop a strategy to overcome economic challenges.

“Despite criticism, the government has taken various steps to move forward towards self-reliance, and allocation of Rs3.9 trillion for repaying debt is one of the many such steps to mention,” the minister of state told the house.

Dr Pasha said that the government was taking concrete steps to facilitate the Islamic banking system in the country. “The Islamic banking had been witnessing a robust growth over the years on the back of the SBP’s leading role in creating conducive environment for its expansion,” she said.

Dr Pasha also said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was making efforts to simplify the tax system in the country. “A major portion of the national economy was undocumented that’s why the government had been making efforts for expanding the tax net and a plan of action was ready in this regard.”

Responding to a question, the minister said that there was no official data available on the total volume or value of transactions of crypto currency purchased by Pakistanis during the last three years.

“Crypto currency is a new mechanism but the SBP is not regularising it for the fact that allowing crypto business in Pakistan will bring no economic value or benefit to the country.”