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National Assembly starts debate on earthquake disaster

* Government taking notice of CNG kits’ prices

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) started a debate to discuss natural disasters in the country including the October 8 earthquake that killed more than 86,000 people and injured 100,000.

Taking part in the debate, Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) member Raja Pervaiz Ashraf suggested shelters for quake victims to protect them from the winter. The quake-affected people urgently require tents and if they were not provided in time, there could be a disaster within the disaster, Ashraf added.

He said although the entire world responded swiftly for the rescue and relief of quake-victims, they should donate more in wake of the unprecedented loss of lives and property.

Ashraf appreciated local and overseas Pakistani for generously contributing for the relief of quake victims in need. He said the NA must be taken into confidence on all decisions taken in connection with relief and rehabilitation activities and stressed to ensure accountability at all levels in the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation process.

Ashraf said victims living in remote areas were in dire need of relief goods and it was the government’s duty to facilitate them immediately.

Parliamentary Secretary Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan informed the National Assembly that the government had taken notice of the price hike of CNG kits in the country and efforts were underway to manufacture CNG kits and cylinders in Pakistan. He said that gas prices increased because of the increase in oil prices internationally.

“Gas cylinders’ prices have shot up because they are being imported from Italy and Japan. The government is trying its best to provide relief to the people by manufacturing them locally, “ he said.

Dr Awan was replying to attention notices by Dr Farid Ahmad Paracha, Liaqat Baloch, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali and Qari Gul Rehman.

Dr Awan told the house that prices of petroleum products had increased twofold in the last three years but CNG prices had only risen by three percent in this period. He said that 1,600 licensees could import CNG kits and the government was encouraging CNG usage. LPG cylinders were being manufactured within the country and the private sector would be encouraged to manufacture CNG kits locally, he added.

Dr Farid Ahmad Paracha, NA minister from Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), said that the price of a CNG kit had risen from Rs 25,000 to Rs 55,000. On one hand the government was encouraging CNG and on the other its prices were soaring, he added. app

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