The Senate was informed on Tuesday that all sections of National Highways (NH) in Balochistan, damaged due to recent floods, have been temporarily restored, resuming traffic in the province. Minister of State for Law Shahadat Awan said the process of rehabilitation of flood victims is continuing in the country at full pace. Shahadat Awan said the construction of a new Hub Bridge will be completed in 18 months.
Presently the work on detour of this bridge has been started to facilitate commuters’ on temporary basis till the completion of construction on the new bridge and detour is expected to be completed within one month. The minister also told the House that the government is committed to the promotion of sports including hockey in the country. Replying to a question during Question Hour today, Minister of State for Law Shahadat Awan said the Federal Government through Pakistan Sports Board provides administrative, technical and financial support to these games.
He said the government has recently laid down synthetic hockey Turfs at Islamabad and Quetta. He, however, said that the work regarding laying of turfs in Wah Cantt. Peshawar, Abbottabad, Faisalabad and Muzaffarabad are under process. Shahadat Awan said the government is also introducing a new governance system and National Sports Policy for the overhauling of sports structure including hockey in the country. He also assured the House to increase funding for sports. Rabbani Khar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar told the House that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia increased to 460 million dollars during 2022.
Answering a question regarding Pakistan-China cooperation, she said we continue to broaden our economic cooperation through increasing investments from China, enhancing cooperation in the agriculture sector and expanding market access for Pakistani exports. Hina Rabbani Khar said apart from political, economic and strategic relations, Pakistan and China also enjoy close cooperation in the health sector. She said Pakistan and China extended support to fight COVID-19 pandemic through provision of medical relief goods and strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to fight COVID-19. She said we also enjoy close collaboration in the defense and security domain and frequent meetings at the highest level.
The House passed “The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2022.” According to the statement of objects and reasons of this bill, the punishment of death will be substituted with imprisonment for life to avoid misuse of law. The House has been adjourned due to lack of quorum and now it will resume on Friday morning.
