Pakistan reiterates support to Kashmir cause
Sharafat Kazmi
Islamabad —The National Assembly was assured Wednesday that Pakistan would continue to forcefully support and project the valiant struggle of the Kashmirs people to achieve their inalienable right of self-determination.
In a written reply to a question, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said Pakistan voices its strong concern over any linkages of this indigenous freedom struggle with terrorism.
He said apart from the leadership of the country that projects the Kashmir cause both at bilateral and multilateral for a, the special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir also undertakes visits to different countries and project the cause.
Minister of State for Information Syed Samsam Ali Bokhari told the House that buildings of seven Pakistani missions abroad were either purchased or constructed during the last three years. Two properties were sold during the period in a transparent manner.
The Minister of State said there is a proposal from the United Kingdom for acquisition of Pakistan mission building in Kabul, which is being evaluated and a decision would be taken in the interest of the country.
Minister for social Welfare and Special Education Samina Khalid Ghurki informed the house that Pakistan Homes for senior citizens would be established across the country.
She said initially, four Homes, one each at provincial headquarters as pilot project will be established. One such Home has already been established at Sehala in Islamabad and data is being collected of senior citizens who are willing to stay in this Home.
The Minister said a comprehensive Senior Citizens Welfare Bill is being finalized for submission to the cabinet. The proposed Bill, among other things, envisages setting up of welfare homes for senior citizens.
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Liaquat Ali Khan said the area under wheat cultivation has increased as a result of very attractive guaranteed minimum price announced by the government. He however pointed out that this also led to squeezing of area under cultivation for sugarcane.
Replying to a supplementary he said per acre what production has increased from twenty-four maund to twenty-seven maund during the last two years.
Minister for Railway Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour told the House that fifty percent freight wagons and eighty-six percent railway bridges have completed their life and efforts are being made to improve railway infrastructure within the limited financial resources. He said two point six billion rupees have been allocated for maintenance of track and rehabilitation of Landhi to Khanpur track is in progress. He said proposals have also been prepared rehabilitation of track on Knanpur-Lodhran, Lodhran-Shahdra and Shahdara-Lalamusa sections. He said a project for procurement and manufacturing of 300 new design high speed wagons is also awaiting approval.
To another question he said an agreement for procurement of 75 diesel locomotives has been
