The National Assembly was informed on Friday that Pakistan Clean Air Programme has been initiated to cope with the issue of pollution and improve air quality.
Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman told the House during Question Hour that zigzag technology has been installed at brick-kilns to reduce air pollution. She said we have also made a commitment to convert to 60 percent renewable energy by 2030. She said we have the resources to produce energy from clean sources.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi told the House that the present government is firming up a plan to promote digital literacy in the country. He said that a project is currently being implemented under which one hundred smart classrooms will be made functional in the universities by the end of this year. He said that Higher Education Commission has also been working with Microsoft to ensure universities have access to digital tools and technology.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi told the House that 4G services are available in 89 percent area of the country and in the next nine months the whole country will be covered. He said the government is also planning to launch 5G in the country. He said the Ministry of Information Technology is in the process of finalizing policy guidelines for 5G in consultation with other stakeholders.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb categorically stated that maligning the state institutions including the Armed Force and the Judiciary on media will not be tolerated. She said there is zero-tolerance policy in this regard and advisories and warnings have also been issued. She regretted that Pakistan Tehreek Insaf initiated an organized campaign against the state institutions through its twitter handler.
The Information Minister said that PEMRA monitors and bans the indecent content on the media as per the relevant rules and regulations.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that those recruited in PTV and other departments of her ministry in violation of rules have been terminated.
Responding to the points raised by Fehmida Mirza, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said a meet of council of common interests has been summoned next week to discuss water related issues.
She said that National Action Plan is being revisited in view of recent acts of terrorism in the country. She regretted that this consensus document was totally overlooked by the previous government of PTI. She said that National Counter Terrorism Authority is also being revived.
The house today passed the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
It was moved by Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha.
At the outset the house offered fateha for former Foreign Minister Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali who passed away in Lahore.
The house will now meet on Monday at four pm.
Source: Radio Pakistan
