Event Title: Senator Atta Ur Rehman, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiative Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament House Islamabad

Event Date: 2023-06-13

 A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Planning Development and Special Initiatives was held on Tuesday at Parliament House to finalize recommendations of members on the Finance (Amendment) Bill, 2023 relating to the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).   Chaired by Senator Atta ur Rehman the meeting was attended by Senator Taj Haider, Senator Tahir Bizenjo and Senator Kauda Babar. The Committee took serious notice of the absence of Senior most officers from the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives and decided to take the matter up in the House. 

Members deliberated over the recommendations made by Senator Taj Haider that included construction of a railway link from Islamkot to Chor to provide a railway link to carry cheap indigenous Thar Coal to the Power Plants running on coal in the entire country.  An allocation of PKR 40 billion was recommended.  Another recommendation made by the honourable Senator was to repair the Reverse Osmosis Plant lying dormant for more than eight years to supply water to Gwadar. A Federal Government grant of PKR 100 million would be sufficient for the project.  A grant of PKR 20 million was also recommended for two 20000 GPD RO Plants at Somiani and Ormara.  It was also recommended as per the Special Committee of the Senate on CPEC to construct a natural gas pipeline connecting Tajikistan Gas Pipeline with Gilgit city, crucial to preserve forests and glaciers.  An allocation of PKR 100 million was recommended for the feasibility study of the project.  Development of Six Solar Parks was also recommended in Turbat, Gwadar, Pasni, Gahkuch, Gilgit and Skardu for which an allocation of USD 30 million was suggested.  Relaxation of custom duty on sports goods recommended as well.