ISLAMABAD (APP) – The Senate on Thursday passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill, 2015 aimed at rationalizing and reorganizing the local government system in the capital.
The Bill was moved by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar.
It is different from the Bill passed by the National Assembly on the subject. The Bill, among other things, envisages holding of local government elections in Islamabad on party basis.
Earlier, the Senate was informed that a comprehensive strategy has been outlined in the form of Vision 2025 to increase per capital income and improve income distribution.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told the House during question hour that the vision is based on seven pillars.
These include developing human and social capital; achieving Sustained indigenous and inclusive growth; governance, institutional reform and modernization of the public sector; energy, water and food security; private sector led growth; developing a competitive knowledge economy through value addition and modernization of transportation infrastructure and greater regional connectivity.
He said the share of provinces in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award has been increased to enable them to improve their socio-economic conditions. He said projects located in less developed areas are also funded through federal public sector development programme.
Minister for States and Frontier Region Abdul Qadir Baloch informed the House that the prices of 1300 CC and above capacity cars in Pakistan are less than the neighbouring countries.
However, he said, the prices of small cars being manufactured or assembled in Pakistan are higher than the prices of similar category being manufactured in neighbouring country, like India due to high production volumes and scale of economy.
He said in this regard the government is firming up draft Automotive Development Policy 2015-20, wherein new investors will be adequately incentivized to reduce prices through competition.
