Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Work on the Pak-Iran gas pipeline has commenced, and the trade volume between the two neighbouring countries will be brought to $5 billion. This was told to the National Assembly during question hour on Monday. The Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the house that due to an embargo on Iran, the financial relations between two countries had decreased and the trade volume had plunged to USD 1.25 billion but with the lifting of the ban, ties were improving.

He said that no one would be allowed to cross the Pak Afghan border without travelling documents, however those Afghan soldiers who will injured near border would be provided entire healthcare facilities. He said that talks are underway with the Afghan authorities for visa implementation. He said that the directives are issued to all Pakistani embassies and high commissions throughout the globe to raise the voice on the Indian atrocities in IHK. Some 20 parliamentarians were sent to the different countries that would meet the government officials there and inform them about the violence of Indian security forces in Indian held Kashmir.

“There are some 1,448 Pakistanis in prison in Saudi Arabia and after Hajj this number has increased. He said that the issue would be resolved very soon. Family members of the prisoners were given aid of Rs 50,000. Last year some 950,000 work visas (Aqama) were reviewed. Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan informed the National Assembly that the quality of cotton has improved by 15 percent. Similarly the export of readymade garments has been raised to 5 percent. He said that the government is trying to use the cotton produced in the country in the local industry for the development of readymade industry.

Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Najeeb told the house Sindh is getting its share in the exports of food items but not even a single penny is given to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this regard. He said that the wheat was imported from Ukraine in 2014-15 but now it would not be imported for the development of the agriculture sector. Sikandar Hayat Bosan said that the probe was held against importing wheat from Ukraine and 60 percent duty is imposed on the wheat so that no one can buy it from abroad and the indigenous wheat might be used. He said that the price of the food items is falling internationally due to which growers have been affected.