Islamabad October 1, 2010: A 5 Member Pakistan Parliamentary Delegation headed by Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly will proceed to Geneva (Switzerland) to attend 123rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on 2nd October, 2010. The IPU Summit will be held from 4 to 6 October, 2010 in Geneva. The Members of Delegation will participate in the sideline meetings besides, attending the IPU Summit. They will also meet with delegates of other countries to highlight devastations caused by the floods in Pakistan and ask for to urge their respective governments to extend assistance to Pakistan for the rehabilitations of the flood affecttees.

Besides, the Deputy Speaker the delegation comprises of MNAs Mr. Sohail Mansoor Khawaja, Noor Alam Khan, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Mrs. Rubina Saadat Qaim Khani.

Islamabad: September 23, 2010: National Assembly Standing Committee on House & Library met under the Chairmanship of Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly in the Parliament House, today to review the progress of National Assembly Employees Cooperative Housing Society (NAECHS) and creation/renovation of additional suites in Government hostel for the accommodation of the Members of the Parliament.

Sheikh Waqas Akram, convener of Special Sub-Committee of House and Library Committee constituted to probe into embezzlement in NAECHS apprised the Committee that the as per record thoroughly scrutinized by the sub-Committee of NAECHS, Rs.29 crore were deposited by the Members of the society and according to revenue record of ICT, 1018 kanals land has been purchased but only 230 kanals land was in the possession of the society. He further informed that Rs.7 crores have been paid to the developer as mobilization advance and Rs.66 lacs has been paid to consultant. He said that the Committee physically visited the site to assess the development work but to the utter surprise of the Committee, no other development work except leveling of small piece of land had been carried out. He further informed the committee that Sub-Committee has completed more than 70% of its work and assured that it will finalize its report within two weeks.

Faisal Karim Kundi said that the work done by the Sub-Committee was commendable. He said that no one would be allowed to misappropriate the hard earned money of employees of the Secretariat. He asked the Sub-Committee to complete its work as early as possible and assured his all out support in that regard.

While discussing the purchase of furniture for Parliament Lodges, the CDA informed the Committee that all procedural requirements were fulfilled and tenders were awarded to lowest bidder. The Members expressed their reservation on the sanctity of the procedure and quality of the furniture. Therefore, the Committee decided to visit and check the quality of the furniture.

Regarding rationalization of CDA staff in the Parliament House, the Additional Secretary (Admn), National Assembly Secretariat has informed the Committee that major chunk of budgetary allocation for the maintenance in Parliament House and Parliament Lodges have been spent on the salaries and allowances of CDA staff deputed in the Parliament House and Parliament Lodges and very small amount remain for the maintenance work. He said that the strength of the CDA staff deputed for maintenance of Parliament House and its precincts was in excess then the sanctioned strength. The Committee directed CDA to surrender surplus staff and maintain required staff as per actual sanctioned strength. The Committee also asked CDA to immediately transfer the staff that had already completed 3 years of service in Parliament House.

While discussing the renovation/construction work in government Hostel and Parliament Lodges, The Committee directed to expedite the work and ensure the quality of material used inn the construction.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Sheikh Waqqas Akram, Mr. Shaukat Ullah, Mrs. Asiya Nasir, Ms Saira Afzal Tarar and Mr. Anjum Aqeel Khan.

Islamabad September 20, 2010: Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly has appreciated European Union’s decision for allowing market access to Pakistani products in European markets. He said that this was long standing demand of Pakistan and it will play an important role to revive and stabilize Pakistan’s economy. He expressed these views while talking to Mr. Sajjad Karim, Member European Parliament who called on him in the Parliament House, today.

The Deputy Speaker said that recent flood had played havoc in the country. He said that the floods had badly affected all four provinces including AJK and Gilgit-Balistan and dislocated more than 20 million people and devastated infrastructure at a massive scale. The Deputy Speaker said that floods have badly damaged agriculture sector and million acres of agriculture land had been destroyed and standing crops of worth of billion of dollars have been ruined.

Faisal Karim Kundi said that rehabilitation of the masses and reconstruction of infrastructure was the top priority of the Government and all available resources will be utilized for this purpose, however support of friends like European Union will supplement the efforts of the Government. The Deputy Speaker apprised him about the Watan Card Scheme being issued to flood affecttees under which Rs. 1 lac will be given to each affected family in two installments He appreciated the role played by Mr. Sajjad Tarin for advocating market access to Pakistani products in European Markets.

Mr. Sajjad Tarin, Member European Union expressed profound grief over the causalities and losses caused by devastating flood and said that it was a disaster which had never seen before. He assured the Deputy Speaker that the European Union will extend its all out support to Pakistan to cope with catastrophe.

Later on Bob Rae, Member Canadian Parliament called Deputy Speaker National Assembly. Talking to Member Canadian Parliament the Deputy Speaker appreciated generous contribution of US $ 33 million for flood relief. He said Pakistan and Canada enjoyed friendly relations and steps should be initiated to further enhance the bilateral ties. He stressed the need for frequent exchange of Parliamentary delegation between the two countries to enhance the bilateral relations.

Mr. Bob Rae, Member Canadian Parliament assured the Deputy Speaker that Government of Canada is committed to rehabilitate the flood affecttees and will extend all out assistance in that regard. He said that Canada value high its relations with Pakistan and Government and people of Canada stand with Pakistani people in this hour of crises. He appreciated the contributions of Pakistani expatriates residing in Canada in strengthening the economy and development of Canada.

Islamabad September 6, 2010: H.E Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan called on Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly in Islamabad, today.

The Ambassador of Japan conveyed sincere concerns of the Government of Japan to Deputy Speaker on the massive destruction caused by he torrential rains in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. He said that Japan values its warm relations with Pakistan and would extend its all-out support for the relief and rehabilitation of flood affecttees.

The Deputy Speaker appreciated the concerns of the Government of Japan and said that Pakistan also attaches great importance to its ties with Japan. He said that Japan has always stood by the Pakistani people in time of crises. The Deputy Speaker apprising the Ambassador about the relief activities in District D.I. Khan and Tank . He said that prompt relief was provided to the people of the Districts of D.I.Khan and Tank with the assistance of Government, NGOs, foreign Aid Agencies and philanthropists, however, more needs to be done. He said that both the Districts had been badly affected by flood water of River Indus and torrential rains.

The Japanese Ambassador assured the Deputy Speaker that Government of Japan is committed to rehabilitate the flood affecttees. Therefore, a substantial allocation has been made for the purpose. He informed that a team of technical experts would soon be dispatched to the flood affected areas specially Districts of D.I. Khan and Tank to access the damage and the requirements for rehabilitation. He said that after carrying out technical study, the rehabilitation work will be initiated.

Islambad September 2, 2010: Dr. Hazem Hussein Abu Shanab, Ambassador of Palestine alongwith a team of Doctors called on Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly in Parliament House, today.

Talking to Palestinian delegation, the Deputy Speaker said that relations between the two brotherly countries were deep-rooted in religion, culture and history. He said that Pakistan has consistently supported the legitimate cause of Palestinian people and called for resolution of Palestinian dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolution. The Deputy Speaker apprised the delegation about the flood situation and relief operation being carried out in this regard. He appreciated the feelings of solidarity of Palestinian leadership over the devastating flood in Pakistan and sending medical team to flood affected areas.

The Ambassador of Palestine, Dr. Hazem Hussein Abu Shanab, expressed grief and sorrow over the flood devastation. He said that it was a human catastrophe and the massive devastation caused by this flood. His country has necessitated sending its medical team to help the people of affected areas in Pakistan. He urged the World Community to come forward and help Pakistan to overcome the colossal losses caused by this catastrophe. He also appreciated the Pakistan unequivocal and unswerving support at all international forum for the resolution of Palestine issue.

Later on Mr. Mike Smith, Executive Director Counter Terrorism Committee (CTED) called on Deputy Speaker, National Assembly. The Executive Director apprised the Deputy Speaker about the formation and objectives of Counter Terrorism Committee. He informed the Deputy Speaker that like previous year CTED will be organizing another workshop for the Pakistani Parliamentarians in November this year. He said that the title of the workshop will be Parliament’s oversight to implement Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism legislation. The Deputy Speaker appreciated the role of Counter Terrorism Committee and suggested that the Parliamentarians from Afghanistan should also be invited in this workshop.