The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production meeting held here at Parliament House on Thursday with Senator Khalida Ateeb discussed the issues of dismissal of clerics of steels mills mosques and exports of gems at low prices.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Atta Ur Rehman raised concerns about the dismissal of clerics from steel mills mosques and expressed deep regret over the closure of mosques, highlighting that prayers, even on Fridays, are not being held.
The ministry informed the committee that reinstating steel mill employees is not feasible due to the country’s economic situation. The committee sought details on the non-payment of clerics’ salaries in steel mill mosques, and officials disclosed that salary arrears of 33 hundred thousand rupees, with four months’ salaries have already been paid. Despite the claim that all salaries were up to date until January 31, Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman pointed out discrepancies, leading the committee to recommend employee reinstatement and prompt resolution.
Meanwhile, the meeting was briefed by GM of Pakistan Gems and Jewelry Development that Pakistani precious stones are sold to Thailand at low prices. In Thailand, these stones are cut and sold for over 70 thousand rupees.
The GM attributed export difficulties in gems and jewelry to non-accelerated legislation. Comparing with India’s annual gem and jewelry exports worth 40 billion dollars, GMP revealed that Pakistan’s average annual exports amount to 6 million dollars. He further highlighted Thailand’s impressive exports, surpassing 8 billion dollars.—APP
