Local Government and Rural Development Minister Muhammad Ajmal Khan on Tuesday said the development funds approved in the Budget 2003-04 for the senators to carry out development work in their respective constituencies would be released within a month's time.
"The funds cannot laps and would be released essentially, as some technical problems caused the delay in release of funds," the Minister told the Senate while responding to a point of order, raised by Senators Kamil Ali Agha and endorsed by Senator Nisar A Memon.
Ajmal Khan assured the House that the matter had been taken up with the finance department and the funds would be released in next few days.
Minister for Environment Major (R) Tahir Iqbal in response to a point of order raised by MMA Senator Rehmatullah Kakar regarding security arrangement in Balochistan said, our armed forces represent Pakistan and not any province.
Senator Liaquat Bangalzai on a point of order demanded the federal government to take care of the financial requirements of Balochistan, as the provincial government was being run through over-drafts.
MMA Senator Professor Khursheed Ahmad speaking on point of order referred to the recent European Union (EU) report regarding custodial killings in Occupied Kashmir and asked the government to stress India on the Human Rights situation there.
Senator Dr Shehzad Waseem raised the issue of problems being faced by the people of far flung areas in reaching Islamabad to participate in the tests and interviews for the federal government jobs, as currently, no TA and DA was admissible for that purpose.
He proposed the respective government departments should either offer TA and DA for such tests and interviews or conduct these tests at provincial headquarters as well.
Senator Chaudhry Anwar Bhinder speaking on a point of order suggested that a Senate Special Committee on Finance be constituted to give recommendations to get rid the country out of the clutches of foreign debt.
Senator Safdar Abbasi welcomed the proposal and said the proposed committee should also take up the matters of domestic debt along with the foreign debt and present its recommendation to the House.
Senator Muhammad Akram speaking on a point of order criticised the recent increase in the standard tariff of cars and delay in delivery of vehicles and demanded the concerned ministry to look into the matter.
Senator Hadayatullah raised the problems regarding electricity in his area.
Senator Sanaullah Baloch said the people of Makran Division were facing problems because of the suspension of international flights by the PIA in the area, which were earlier being operated.
Senator Syed Sajjad Bukhari raised the issue of parking of unclaimed vehicles at G-8 Markaz in the capital and day and night working of auto workshops in the area.
He said, the CDA should look into these matters, which was a matter of concern for the people of the area.
Senator Ms Kalsoom drew the attention of the House about occupation of people's land in Shahpur area by a person namely Malik Riaz. She said, the said person was using name of Bahria for his housing scheme which was an illegal practice.
Senator Gulshan Sayeed informed the House that a number of persons had been murdered by the said person. She proposed to constitute a committee to discuss this important issue.