Population, Housing Census Starts From March 15: NA Informed

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Feb, 2017 ) : Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization Rana Afzal Khan Friday said that all arrangements have been finalized to conduct new population and housing census from March 15.

During Question Hour in the National Assembly, Rana Afzal Khan informed that the new census would start and end at the same time across the country and the whole process would be completed within two months.

He said that provincial governments have appointed their representatives as focal persons for census activities and Rs 14.5 billion had been allocated for census. To a question, he said that there was no need to seek new loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since the country has stable economic conditions.

He pointed out that there were over 57 billion Dollars total foreign debt. Rana Afzal said when the present government took over, the debt was 2 to 3 per cent more than the limit described in Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act and it was 63 per cent to GDP, adding that the government has brought it under 63 per cent.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that country's Gross Demotic Products (GDP) has now been improved and its pay back capacity has increased. He informed that out of 46 billion dollars, China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, 35 billion dollars were private investment which was being extended by Chinese Rana Afzal Khan said that Pakistan would buy electricity from these companies.

He said there were about 11 billion dollars soft loan having about 2 per cent interest rate. He said these loans would be spent on roads and railway projects. To another question, he said tax collection has increased by 62 per cent during the last three years.

He said that transparency was being ensured in property transactions by adopting latest technologies and principles. On a supplementary question that some departments covering the National Assemblies budget sessions have not yet received honorarium announced by the Finance Minister, the Speaker directed the Parliamentary Secretary to ensure payment of the honorarium to all concerned departments.