ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid has said that the government is preparing a comprehensive plan to tackle the threats of climate change to the country.
During question hour, he told the House that climate change poses a major threat to food, water, energy security, coastal and marine environment, dry land ecosystems, agriculture and livestock sector, forests, biodiversity and health.
The Minister said the government is implementing a national climate change policy in which steps have been suggested for every sector.
He pointed out that a national forest policy is also being formulated under which massive tree plantation will be carried out.
The National Assembly began its 29th session in Islamabad, with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair. At the outset of the proceedings, newly elected member National Assembly from Sindh Makhdoom Saeed-uz-Zaman took oath. The Speaker administered the oath.
The Speaker announced a panel of presiding officers for the current session. Its members are Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk, Muhammad Junaid Akbar Chaudhry, Dr Azhar Khan Jadoon, Nawab Yusuf Talpur, Iqbal Muhammad Ali and Ghazi Gulab Jamal.
The House offered Fateha for the departed souls of Fatima Surayya Bajia, PIA employees killed during protest and those killed in different terrorism incidents.
Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the House there are 109 illegal housing schemes in Islamabad.
He said through public notices, general public has been advised time and again to refrain from purchasing plots in schemes for which sponsors have not obtained NoC from CDA.
Answering a question, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said treatment facilities are being improved in public sector hospitals in Islamabad.
To a question, Minister of State for CADD the Prime Minister Educational Reform Program is being implemented in Islamabad to uplift the standard of quality education.
Parliamentary Secretary for Railways, Syed Ashiq Hussain Shah Bukhari told the House that the government is going to make a joint venture with a big international firm for manufacturing of locomotives at Risalpur.
To a question, he said the present government has claimed the warranty and underframe of these 16 locomotives are being got replaced.
He pointed out that over 1.8 billion rupees foreign aid have been provided to Pakistan Railways for three projects.
Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha told the House that the Ministry spent over 2618 million rupees from June, 2013 to 31st January, 2016 on advertisements.
He said the ministry has fixed 25 percent quota for local newspapers to promote journalism in the country.
