The Senate was informed on Friday that bio-metric verification (BMV) of cellular SIMs was launched in line with the National Action Plan (NAP) to combat the menace of terrorism in consultation with all stakeholders.
Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman Khan expressed these views while responding to a call attention notice. Following the direction from the Ministry of Interior, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had initiated the verification process in phase wise.
Ms Anusha said that after expiry of the due date (April 12), the PTA has blocked all the unverified SIMs, however, if someone wants to reopen his SIM, he/she may open it after bio-metric verification.
The minister claimed that majority of blocked SIMs were either used for gray trafficking or remained dormant.
Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani referred two letters sent by the Cabinet Division to the Senate standing committee on rules and procedures for derogatory language used for the Senate by a tiny section officer.
Rabbani, who is thought to be a tough disciplinarian, ruled that the committee would proceed accordingly and such type of rough language by a government official for the upper house of parliament will not be tolerated.
During the question hour, the Senate was informed that 2,831 persons have been sent abroad for employment by the Overseas Employment Corporation during the last two years.
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Pir Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashidi told the house that the people who were sent abroad belong to AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, tribal areas and Islamabad Capital Territory and all the four provinces. Replying to a question, he said a vocational training centre will be established in Swat by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. He said the government has taken a number of steps to address the issue of filling the gaps between employment and skilled development targets.
He informed the house that 25 employees of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) were terminated from service during the present regime on various charges after completing required formalities. He said 125 employees have been appointed in OPF educational institutions and services of five employees were regularised during this period. Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Balighur Rehman informed the house that 690 students belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been sent abroad on scholarships for higher studies during last five years by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
He said merit and provincial quota were being observed completely in this regard, adding Rs6 billion have been allocated for scholarships during the current financial year. He informed the house that physical education is being introduced in schools as part of the education policy, adding it will promote sports in the country.
Replying to a question, Baligh said that the government has a proactive stance for placement, including employment, abroad. He said during the recent visit of the Amir of Qatar to Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has got approved a quota of 200,000 labourers to be sent to Qatar.
He pointed out that the government has also mobilised reputed employers who have committed to provide employment to 20,000 persons this year. He said the government will also introduce vocational secondary schools programme under which middle level students will be given technical training in different fields.
Over a call attention notice, Trade Minister Khurram Dastagir informed the house that 35 trade officers working in Pakistan embassies have completed their tenure and the government has call them back.
The government will appoint new trade and commercial officers through rigorous selection process and then will be posted abroad. Till filling of these posts, the existing staff will work there till appointment process of new officials completed. The Senate was adjourned to meet on Monday at 3pm.
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