The Senate was informed today that the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to about twenty billion dollars.

Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar told the house during Question Hour that the State Bank of Pakistan has foreign exchange reserves of twelve to thirteen billion dollars.

He said the reserves have increased due to improvement in exports and remittances.

The Minister for Industries said there has also been a record debt servicing during the tenure of the present government. He said we are paying back ten billion dollars annually.

Hammad Azhar said the current account has shown a surplus of 1.6 billion dollars during the first five months of current financial year against a deficit of 1.7 billion dollars in the corresponding period last year.

Responding to the points raised by PPP leader Sherry Rehman, Leader of the House in the Senate, Shahzad Waseem urged the opposition not to politicize health related issues.

He said through reforms, the government is striving to strengthen health system of the country which was ignored during previous regimes.

Earlier Sherry Rehman criticized the government for dissolving PMDC. She said due to this act, thousands of doctors have been waiting for their permanent and provisional certificates for last year.

Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan moved a motion in the House expressing deep gratitude to the President Dr. Arif Alvi for his address to both joint setting of both Houses of Parliament on 20th August last year.

The House will hold discussion on the motion.

The House has now been adjourned till Monday 3pm.