Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema Wednesday claimed that there was no problem of food shortage in Pakistan and the available stock is enough to meet country’s demand.
Responding to a calling attention notice in the National Assembly regarding the expected acute shortage of food in the country as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Program (WFP), the minister said, “I fully disagreed with the reports of WFO and FAO and facts indicated in the reports have no reality and there is no need to worry.”
He said this year 28.5 million metric tons of wheat was recorded, along with the carry-over stock of the previous year. The calling attention notice moved by Aliya Kamran and others, he said this year 28.5 million metric tons of wheat was recorded, along with the carry over stock of the previous year. He expressed the confidence that there will be no need to import the commodity as we have sufficient stock to cater to the needs of our population. He ruled out food insecurity in the country as Pakistan recorded bumper crop of wheat this year.
The house passed a government bill to regulate the system of moon sighting for commencement of Islamic Hijri Calendar months. State Minister for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan presented the Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill, 2022 which is aimed to regulate the system of moon sighting for commencement of Islamic Hijri Calendar months and consequently bringing harmony amongst followers of various schools of thought of lslam to perform their religious obligations with unanimity throughout the country. The bill was passed by the House as the relevant standing committed has already reported on the bill.
A report of the parliamentary committee examining the amendments proposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan in the Election Act, 2017 was also presented in the House.
On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Energy (Petroleum Division), MNA Saira Bano presented report on the Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali spoke on a point of order regarding meeting of sister of Dr Aafia Siddiqui with her after almost 20 years. He demanded the government to ensure all possible efforts for the release Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
