A parliamentary panel was informed on Wednesday that two more special economic zones would be notified soon, making the number of notified zones to nine.
Senator Malik Haroon Ramzan requested the committee that a special economic zone may be established at village Kani, UC Mkhand, tehsil Jhand, district Attock, to uplift the standard of living of around 300,000 natives. Chairperson committee Sassui Palijo also informed the committee that a resolution was passed regarding establishing of zones at Keti Bundar in 2006. She said that no progress was seen in this respect. The matter was referred to the Planning and Development Division.
Palijo chaired the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs here at Parliament House on Wednesday. Senator Sherry Rehman moved two bills including the Foreign Private Investments (Promotion and Protection) (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and the Board of Investment (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
Palijo also moved a bill 'the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (Amendment) Bill, 2019' for consideration. The committee further considered a calling attention notice of Muhammad Javed Abbasi regarding report of the working group of the Election Commission of Pakistan on e-voting for the overseas Pakistanis.
Javed Abbasi argued that a committee reviewed proposed election reforms in the light of recommendations and legislations on electoral law which was made from 2013 to 2015. He said all the political parties supported the amendment in proposed law to allow overseas Pakistanis' right to vote. He alleged that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) convinced the political parties on giving right to vote to overseas Pakistanis but could not convince the Supreme Court of Pakistan in this regard.
The Secretary ECP said that no political party supported the ECP's stance on e-voting in the Supreme Court and the case was dismissed. He further said that 7 million overseas Pakistanis are eligible for casting vote.
The committee also discussed core responsibilities and jurisdiction of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) on the request of Chaudhary Tanvir Khan.
The committee further discussed a point of public importance regarding stoppage of funds for National Institute of Blood Diseases and for poor leukaemia patients raised by Dr Sikhandar Mandhro. The committee was informed that a summary was moved for approval from federal cabinet for release of funds for treatment of leukaemia patients. As soon as funds are available, the treatment of patients would be resumed. The committee recommended the government to release the fund for poor cancer patients immediately as the treatment cost was non-affordable for the poor. The post-election review report on general election 2018 issued by Election Commission of Pakistan was presented to the committee.