ISLAMABAD: Minister for Narcotics Control Lt Gen® Salahuddin Tirmizi Monday told the Senate that the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) needed equipment and resources to combat the menace of drug smuggling.
Responding to points of public importance, he said cannabis production had been destroyed in 92 kilometre area of the country. The ANF was facing shortage of staff, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Law Zahid Hamid assured the house that the services of 1000 temporary employees of Census Department would be regularized very soon. The issue was raised by Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar.
Responding to another point of public importance, Zahid Hamid said the prime minister had suspended the charging of withholding tax from the people of Gilgit-Baltistan till the decision about the status of GB. He said the GB had no representation in the parliament.
A committee constituted by the prime minister to finalize suggestions about legal status of GB, had already submitted its report, he added.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that no Turk national had been deported. Turk nationals having valid visas were still residing in the country.
He said 394 Turk nationals were working in various schools in Pakistan. Their visas were expired in 2016. As many as 334 Turk Nationals sought asylum from the UNHCR on expiry of their visas. Some 122 Turk nationals had already left the country.
Responding to another issue of public importance, Talal Chaudhry said FIA had been directed to avoid apprehending any political activitist on the pretext of committing cyber crimes.
Minister of State for SAFRON Ghalib Khan said the Balochistan government had been directed to inform about the bank accounts of 1725 newly employed personnel of Federal Levies, so that their salary could be credited without any delay.
