He informed the House during question hour that there will be additional storage capacity of 2.5 million acres of water besides 12 percent increase in electricity generation. The minister said there was a shortage of 3500 megawatts of electricity and steps are being taken to bridge the gap.
He said that agreements for rental power plants have been finalised as the quickest way to increase power generation and the contracts were awarded through a transparent mechanism. He rejected criticism of the rental power plants and warned that such propaganda campaign would affect foreign investment in the sector.
He told the House that currently five hydel projects in private sector with cumulative capacity of 754 megawatts on River Swat are being processed. To another question, he said currently 22 wind power projects are at various stages of development with cumulative capacity of 1200 megawatts.
Responding to supplementary regarding faulty meters, the minister announced that meters in different areas including KESC would be got checked at random through third party involvement. He said there is a proposal to replace all meters with digital ones in a phased manner.
Minister for States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan informed the House that there are still 2.7 million Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. He said relief programme of Afghan refugees is jointly funded by Pakistan and UNHCR and the funding during last year amounted to over Rs 302 million. The minister said a high level committee is reviewing the strategy for repatriation of Afghan refugees.
To another question, the minister said under instructions of the President and the Prime Minister, educational facilities are being provided in Fata on priority basis. He said one cadet college in each tribal agency would be set up besides establishment of a medical college in Waziristan.
Similarly, site selection is under way for setting up a university in Fata. There is also a proposal to establish degree colleges in every Agency. The House was informed that a proposal for constructing Chirah Dam on River Soan in Islamabad is under process.
The minister incharge of the Cabinet Division told the House during question hour that its live storage capacity will be over 19,000 acres feet. It is likely to be completed in 2012. To another question, he said that a proposal for widening and rehabilitation of Service Road from Khanna Bridge to Dhowk Kala Khan, along Islamabad Expressway, has been prepared and tenders are being called.
The work is likely to be completed by May next year. To yet another question he said there were 58 instances of forest fire in Margalla Hills since beginning of this year. Twelve cases were reported to the local police for investigation.
The minister told the House that routine insecticide spray and fogging of whole Islamabad is carried out three times in a year. Next round would begin this month.
In a written reply, the Minister Incharge of the Cabinet Division said that the names of departments/organisation under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division where officers have been appointed in MP Scales at present are Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, Intellectual Property Organisation and Capital Development Authority.
The Minister Incharge of the Establishment Division further said that at present there is no proposal under consideration to enhance the present upper age limit for employment in Federal Government.
Responding to a question, he further said that Shaukat Tarin, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance has been given the status of a Federal Minister. In that capacity, he is entitled to the salary, perks and privileges allowed to Allowances & Privileges) Act, 1973 (As amended from time to time). However, Shaukat Tarin has opted not to draw salary and allowances, except the following facilities: Fuel only for transport, daily allowance during official tour, telephone for official purposes only and personal staff.