National Assembly was informed today that Poverty Alleviation Coordination Council is being established to synergize the efforts of various organizations for poverty alleviation.

Minister for Planning and Development Makhdoom Khurso Bukhtiar told the house during question hour that the scope of Benazir Income Support Programme, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and Pakistan Baitul Mal is being expanded to take the poor people out of poverty.

He said the government is expanding coverage of health insurance scheme and up-scaling efforts to reduce stunted growth of children.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the House that a plan is under consideration to reduce passport fee especially for those visiting Saudi Arabia, UAE and Malaysia for jobs.

The Minister of State said that 559 NADRA centres are functional in the country and nineteen more centres are being established in different areas in order to ensure that the people can get CNICs without any hassle.

Responding to a question, he said the murder of SP Tahir Dawar in Afghanistan was a national tragedy and culprits involved in his assassination will be nabbed soon.

The Minister of State said the back of terrorists has been broken as a result of joint efforts by the Armed forces and the government.

Taking the floor, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan’s young democracy has made many advances with peaceful democratic transitions of power over the last ten years.

He said the present Parliament will also complete its five year tenure which will be a major milestone for this House.

The PPP Chairman, however, said no compromise will be made on the economic, human and democratic rights of people.

Responding to the statement of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister of Communication Murad Saeed criticized the performance of previous governments.

He said the incumbent government is formulating policies to steer the country out of economic crisis. He said over the last four months, we have provided shelters to those who used to spend their nights under the open sky.

Responding to the points of PPP Leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Syed Khurshid Shah, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said all the standing committees will be formed during the current session of Lower House. About the Committee formed for investigation into alleged rigging into 2018 election, he said the committee will soon start its work and members from both he Treasury and Opposition benches should play their part in it. Minister of Defence Pervaiz Khattak told the House that the provincial Assembly elections in tribal districts will be held before June this year.

Responding to the points of PPP Leaders Naveed Qamar and Shazia Marri, Minister of State for Revenue Hamad Azhar said the government is committed to the new National Finance Commission Award.

He said the provinces have given their names for the commission and the grievances of provinces will be addressed in the meetings of the NFC.

The Minister of State said the Federal Government has given its share of funds for the K-IV water project in Karachi but the seven billion rupees are lying un-utilized.

PML-N Leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, who attended the session on the production order of the Speaker, said the government should give sincere consideration to bringing improvement in the economy.

He said the country is faced with many challenges and the government should correct its course to effectively deal with them.

Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak said both the opposition and treasury benches should give a patient hearing to each other. He said we will welcome any positive suggestion from the opposition parties on important matters.

The NA has now been adjourned to meet again at 10.30 am tomorrow.