ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo on Wednesday told the National Assembly that the government would soon bring banks' mark-up rates down to revive the ailing industrial sector of the country. Speaking on a calling attention notice about five cent decline in industrial output of the country during the financial year of 2008-09, Wattoo admitted that industry had suffered greatly on account of power loadshedding, gas shortage and high mark-up rates of the banks, which is up to 18 per cent. He also told the house that the government was taking necessary steps to revive the industry. The minister also added that he had personally visited various chambers of commerce and industry across the country to have the first hand knowledge of the problems of the industrial sector. He informed that his ministry would move the issue of banks' high mark-up rates with the Ministry of Finance 'and I hope that within a few days they will come down'. He said that the industrial sector was provided gas connection for first nine months of the year and it faced shortage only during the last three months, therefore, the industrial sector's faced gas shortage as per agreement. Wattoo further informed the House that the government had already committed to generate additional 4400MW of electricity by December next year, when the loadshedding would also be stopped completely. He said Pakistan would go for the gas pipeline from Iran even if India opts to stay out. Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan criticized the present functioning of the National Assembly and said that it was not discussing the real problems of the masses. "There is no debate in this august House over loadshedding and inflation. No one talks about missing persons in the National Assembly and time is being wasted in unnecessary things", he added. He said that the ministers should not waste time of the Parliament in clarifying the news reports, attributed to President Asif Ali Zardari. "President has his own media team and if there some wrongly attributed reports appear in the media, it is the responsibility of presidential media cell to clarify them", he added. Ch Nisar also said that the ministers should represent the government and not the Aiwan-e-Sadr. He said that his party had submitted requisition for convening National Assembly session to discuss loadshedding and petroleum prices, but there was no debate on the issues in the House. The PML-N firebrand leader further said that in the absence of Prime Minister, his cabinet members did not take interest in National Assembly proceedings. "Make this House centre to resolve people's sufferings and if there will be no discussions in the House over real issues of masses, there will come no solutions", he observed. He severely flayed the appointment of non-elected people as Advisors to Prime Minister saying, "A banker has been made Finance Advisor and an MBBS doctor is serving as Petroleum Advisor while Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior also issues exaggerated statements of maintaining law and order in the tribal territories with no progress on the ground", he stated. Ch Nisar Ali Khan also demanded a ruling from Speaker, as to whether a parliamentarian with the status of minister could perform the function of presiding officer in the absence of Speaker or Deputy Speaker. On petroleum prices, he said that fuel prices had enormously decreased in the international market but the government of Pakistan had reduced petrol prices by only 23 per cent. "The government is earning Rs 18 billion per month in the head of petrol levy," he stated. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan told the House that President on the advice of the Prime Minister can appoint five advisors. He said that Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin was a competent person and serving the government and country without salary. He said that the government welcomes the proposals of the Leader of Opposition regarding making the Parliament more effective and supreme institution. About clarification of a news item regarding the President on flour of the House, he said that the President was part of the Parliament and the issue was discussed under a good faith. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs also supported the position taken by the Leader of the Opposition and said a member holding title of a minister should preside over the session. Speaker National Assembly, Dr Fehmida Mirza reserved ruling on a point of order raised by Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan regarding chairing a session of the House by a member holding title of a minister. Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza said in response to Ch Nisar's speech that current session of National Assembly was being held in accordance with the parliamentary calendar, while the NA session on Opposition's requisition would be summoned later. Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmd Wattoo introduced 'The Boilers and Pressure Vessels (Amendment) Bill 2009' in the National Assembly. Law Minister Farooq H Naek put before the House Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2008 and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan put first quarterly report of the State Bank of Pakistan on the State of Economy. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain came down hard on those who criticized the appointment of advisors. He said that the appointments are allowed by the Constitution. Speaking on a point of order, Dr Asim said that it was strange that those, who do not have full understanding of the Constitution, were targeting the advisors. Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza said that the language of the letter written to her by Chairman Standing Committee on Education Aabid Sher Ali was not appropriate. Responding to point of order raised by Aabid Sher Ali and Ayaz Amir, she said "there is no precedent that the MNAs can write letters to the Speaker, adding I sit late in my office and if any member has any complaint or issue he or she can come there or leave there message if I am out of the city." She further said that the rules did not allow her to decide any issue as it was referred to the concerned standing committee. Dr Fehmida Mirza said that she was custodian of the House and ran its affairs according to rules. The Speaker said that it was on record that she had given more time to the opposition benches. Federal Minister for Education Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani said that it was very sad that the issue was raised in this way. "I had just asked the Chairman of the Committee to fix its date after ten Muharram so that I make myself available for the meeting but he did not do so and later write a letter to you." "There was no consultation with me as I am the ex-officio member of the committee and the issue was also raised in the press which is ridiculous," he added. Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar said that the language used in the letter was not correct. "The letters was published in the press before dispatching to the Speaker", the minister stated.