August 19, 2006	Saturday	Rajab 23, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: Federal Minister for Education Javed Ashraf Qazi told the National Assembly on Friday that 1,313 foreign students were presently studying in the federal government universities.

Answering a question raised by MNA Ruqayya Soomro in the National Assembly, the minister said that out of the total 1,313 foreign students, 850 students were studding in International Islamic University, followed by 402 in the National University of Modern Languages, 53 in the National University of Science and Technology and four each in Quaid-i-Azam University and Allama Iqbal Open University.

The minister said 796 Pakistani students were seeking higher education against different programmes in separate universities of the world since November 2003.

Out of the total 796 students, 40 are studding in USA, followed by six in Canada, 81 in the UK, 32 in Australia, 104 in Austria, 234 in France, 59 in Netherlands, 106 in Germany, 121 in China and 13 in Thailand.

Replying to a question raised by MNA Maulana Syed Nasib Ali Shah, the education minister said there was no proposal under consideration for free education to students from Islamic countries for higher education in Pakistan, however, the Ministry of Education had launched 1,000 scholarships for Afghan students, followed by 75 for Bangladeshi students and 100 for the Indian- administered Kashmir.

He said there was no special quota for the students of under- developed Islamic countries for higher education in Pakistan. However, five per cent quota had been reserved for the foreign students, and students from Islamic countries can also compete for admission under the quota.

Answering a question raised by MNA Kaniz Aisha Munawar, the education minister said an amount of Rs3,158,545 had been incurred on the education conference held on May 30-31 in Islamabad.

Out of the total amount, Rs11,024 had been incurred on payment of telephone charges, followed by Rs461,976 on payment of advertisement charges, Rs280,145 on TA/DA paid to the participants on National Education Conference, Rs202,717 on miscellanea, payment on account of purchase of stationery items, payment made to Senate reporters and daily allowance paid to drivers and Rs2,202,683 on payment in connection with entertainment/hotel charges, renovation of National Library building, stage arrangements, sound system, pads, bags and banner charges.

Replying to a question raised by MNA Maulana Abdul Malik, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr Mohammad Ijazul Haq said six shrines - Darbar Hazrat Bari Imam, Darbar Shah Hussain, Darbar Nanga Baba, Darbar Sakhi Mehmood Badshah, Aabpara, Darbar Sakhi Darvesh Badshah, Sihala and Baithak at Lohe Dundee, Margallah hills were under the administrative control of Auqaf Directorate, Islamabad.

Auqaf Directorate received Rs21,221,918 during the year 2005, an amount of Rs16,856,950 from the cash box at the shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam, Shah Hussain, Nanga Baba, located within one compound at Noorpur Shahan, Rs2,921,443 from the auction of contracts at the shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam, Rs843,525 from cash boxes at the shrine of Mehmood Badshah, Aabpara and Rs600,000 from the shrine of Dervish Badshah at Maina Thub beyond Sihala through contract.

In reply to a question raised by MNA Fauzia Wahab, Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Jahangir Khan Tareen said that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of cabinet had allowed import of black cab taxi cars in its meeting held on May 22.

He said no firm or person had been allowed to import car as none of the parties applied in response to the advertisements published in the national newspapers.

Replying to a question raised by MNA Yasmeen Rehman, the minister said the ECC of the cabinet had approved the proposal for import/manufacture of purpose-built taxi in its meeting.

The scheme, approved by the ECC, was published in the National dailies and the parties interested in import and assembly/manufacture of such taxis in Pakistan were requested to submit their proposals within the prescribed time limits.

Now permission for the import of purpose-built taxis at zero tariffs has become inoperative. However, any party fulfilling the criteria can set up a plant for manufacture of purpose-built taxi in Pakistan.