ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that the arrangements for accommodation of intending pilgrims of government Hajj scheme have been completed in Saudi Arabia.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf told the House during question hour that 139 buildings for this purpose have been hired with the capacity of 71684 Hujjaj.
He said efforts are underway to fully implement uniform timings for Azaan and Salat in Islamabad.
He said the Ministry of Religious Affairs wishes that the people may voluntarily observe uniform Azaan and prayer timings. For this purpose, the Ministry is sensitizing people through meetings with the stakeholders like religious organizations, civil society, educational institutions, trade associations, Islamabad administration and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
He said the ministry is also in contact with the provinces to implement the Nizam-e-Salat throughout the country.
To a question, Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Darshan told the House that Hepatitis B and C are major causes of chronic liver disease.
He pointed out that Hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination and Hepatitis patients can be treated with interferon therapy
Answering a question, Dr Darshan said in the wake of devolution, it is now the provincial governments to formulate their plans and programmes to control population growth rate in their respective provinces.
Replying to a question, Parliamentary Secretary for National Food Security and Research Rajab Ali Baloch informed the House that 15 small household size desalination plants have been imported from
Australia and installed on trial basis at NARC Islamabad, Umarkot Sindh and Hub in Balochistan.
He said these plants are very successful and help clean the water.
On a point of order, Leader of the Opposition Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah regretted over the resignations submitted by MQM members and said that they should highlight their problems and find solutions while sitting in the House.
He said their resignations should not be accepted in hurry and the matter should be reviewed to find a solution according to the law and constitution. He stressed for contacting the MQM members to convince them to continue to play their role in the Parliament.
