Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani Monday informed the National Assembly that 321 industrial units have been closed down during the fiscal 2009-10 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan due to several problems including financial, management, power shortages and law and order situation of the country.
Responding to a question, the Federal Minister informed the house that 307 industrial units have been closed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 14 in Balochistan. He further informed that Punjab is collecting information from the field offices, while Sindh has not provided the requisite information, however it would be provided on the next Rota day.
When asked whether increase in age limit on import of used cars would have impact on local industry, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani stated that the Government''s recent decision of importing old vehicles would not have negative impact on the local industry. However, it would create an atmosphere of competition among the producers. "The import will have no negative impacts on local manufacturers, rather it will set healthy trend of competition with ultimate benefit to consumers," he added.
He said that the government is determined to provide facility of own car to maximum number of people at affordable rates. He said that it was not for the first time that import of old/used vehicles had been allowed, as it was also done in 2006. During that period, local industry had witnessed a substantial increase in cars production, as the competition had forced them to manufacture low-cost and quality vehicles as compared to the imported-ones.
On a question regarding prices of cars, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani informed that government had no role in fixing prices of cars, as its role is to provide policy framework including tariffs and non-tariffs policy measures. He further informed that Pak Suzuki increased its prices by an average of 3.4 percent during current fiscal year due to rupee depreciation against dollar and Japanese Yen. He hoped that prices of cars might reduce in the country, as the government had increased the age limit of import of used cars from three to five years.
The Federal Minister in another written reply said that prices of different model of Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd had increased up to 44 percent in November 2010, as against prices of March-June 2008. Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani in another written reply said government is preparing new industrial policy in consultations with various other sectors.
To another query, he said that the urea prices have increased to Rs 1060 per 50 kg bag in January 2011 from Rs 841 in October 2010 due to the gas curtailment plan for fertiliser sector, and to control the soaring prices, the government decided to import 2,25,000 tons of urea, the Minister said in written reply on another question. The government would establish urea plants with Public Private Partnership to overcome the urea shortage in the country.
In a written reply, Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan, Minister for Textile Industry has informed the House that Gas and Electricity adversely affected the textile industry and the Ministry in collaboration with stakeholders has tried to ensure uninterrupted supply of Power to the textile industry.
Minister for Housing and Works in a written reply said that government had released Rs 28.596 million so far for non-development category, while the overall allocation in the current fiscal year is Rs 50.981 million. The Minister informed that several housing schemes are being undertaken in Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, Turbat and Karachi by Pakistan Housing Foundation under Prime Minister''s Housing Programme. Some of the projects are expected to be completed during year 2011-14.
In a written replay, Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Kursheed Shah said that government had deducted Rs 147,573,000 from pilgrims as funds for their welfare in 2010, Rs 143,539,900 in 2009 and Rs 145,736, 900 in 2008. He further said that Saudi Arabia has not yet announced policy of medical facilities to be provided to the Hajjis in 2011.
Minister for Labour, Manpower and Religious Affairs Khursheed Ahmed Shah Monday said that the Ministry of Housing and Works surrendered no funds allocated for the financial year 2010-2011, as there was no un-spent amount lying with it.
During the Question-Hour session, he said Rs 50.981 million were allocated to the ministry for the current year under the account of non-development expenditure, out of which Rs 36 million have already been spent, while Rs 22 million would be utilised during next six months.
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