Ministry Takes Notice Of 4054 Human Rights Violations In Six Months

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Augst,2016) : Minister for Human Rights Kamran Michael said on Friday the ministry took notice of 4054 human rights violations cases from January to June this year. Speaking during question hour in the National Assembly, he said an action plan for human rights was being implemented in collaboration with the provincial governments to improve human rights situation in the country as part of efforts goverment's commitment to ensure human rights of its citizens in line with the Constitution as well as international commitments. The minister said that all possible measures were being taken for protection of rights of women, children, special persons and minorities. Meanwhile, Law Minister Zahid Hamid informed the House that free legal aid to under priviliged is being provided through Access to Justice Development Funds and through Pakistan Bar Council at District level. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House that National Highway Authority had taken up the feasibility study and detailed design of four-lane expressway from Lower Topa to Kohala via Chijana and Sri Bandi.

This proposed expressway will be the extension of Islamabad-Murree dual carriageway. He said after approval of PC-I, the project will be completed within three years. While, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-Indai (TAPI) Parties had been appointed as the Consortium Leader which will take 85 per cent of the equity while remaining parties have committed to take 5 per cent equity shares in the TPCL.

In this regard, he added, TAPI Parties have also signed the Shareholders Agreement and Investment Agreement, adding as per agreement Pakistan had paid first tranche of the equity contribution to TPCL.

He said the Company would achieve financial close by the end of 2016 following which actual implementation of the Project will be scheduled to begin. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.The contractual quantity of gas is 1.32 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD). He said the taxes being charged on gas domestically produced for various users included Federal Excise Duty (FED), Gas Development Surcharge (GDS), Gas Infrastructure Development Cess.(GIDC), General Sales Tax (GST), With holding Tax 4 per cent for CNG consumers only. He said General Sales Tax of 5 per cent for CNG and 17 per cent for others, With holding Tax of 4 per cent for CNG consumers only. He said the quantum of above taxes varies for different categories of consumers depending on the consumption by each sector and applicable gas sale prices. He said the taxes on RLNG were less as compared to domestically produced gas mainly due to the price differential. He said despite lower level of taxes on RLNG, the end consumer sale price for RLNG consumer was high.