Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members of the National Assembly have expressed displeasure over charging of 16.5 per cent mark-up by Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) on agriculture loans whereas the State Bank provides loans to the industries at 5.75 per cent interest rate.
While moving a calling attention notice in this regard in the Lower House, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan said that on one hand the government is giving loans to the farmers at high interest rate while on the other it provides benefits to the industries through provision of loans at low interest rate. He said that agriculture sector is backbone of the country and a major contributor to GDP. He said that the government should also provide loans to the farmers at the same mark-up that is being charged on the industrialists.
Another member of the PML-N, Rasheed Ahmed Khan said though ZTBL is giving loans at 16.5 per cent rate, it becomes 18 per cent by adding fee charges. He said that the prices of fertilisers in Pakistan are high as compared to the other countries.
Responding to the calling attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House that the figures are not correct. He said there are three categories of agriculture loan by Zarai Taraqiati Bank. Under Kisan Dost Scheme, loan is being provided at the rate of 12.5 per cent mark-up. Production loan is also being given on the same rate, while development loans are being provided at the rate of 14.8 per cent mark-up.
Rana Afzal told the House that the matter of agriculture loan mark-up has been referred to the select committee of the House and recommendations of the committee will be considered to reduce the mark-up rate. He said the agriculture is backbone of the country's economy and it is the effort of the government to bring the mark-up on agriculture loan to a minimum level.
The parliamentary secretary said the GDP growth has increased from 3.4 per cent to 5.4 per cent during the last three years. Replying to another calling attention notice moved by Shazia Marri and others regarding recent incidents of alleged harassment against female anchorpersons in Pakistan Television Network by its heads of departments and the biased and derogatory attitude of the harassment committee thereof.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb told the House that an inquiry committee was constituted to investigate the matter. She said the committee has submitted its report and it will be implemented. Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government is adopting zero tolerance against sexual harassment of women at workplace. She said the government is committed to protecting the rights of women. She assured the House that there will be no biased attitude towards women.