ISLAMABAD, July 9: The Senate Functional Committee on Government Assurances on Saturday reviewed the implementation status of various assurances given on the floor of the house from time to time relating to the ministries of foreign affairs, industries and production, women development, information and technology, and education. The committee, which met under the chairmanship of Chaudhry Mohammad Anwar Bhinder, while considering an assurance given by the minister for industries and production regarding reduction in the prices of locally-assembled cars/automobiles in light of the recommendations of the task force, took note of the absence of the secretary industries and production.

It observed that as the issue was of significant nature, the secretary should be present to apprise the parliamentary committee of the government’s stand on the issue. It deferred consideration of the assurance till its next meeting.

The committee also discussed an assurance given by the interior minister on behalf of the minister for foreign affairs regarding the government efforts for the release of Pakistani prisoners held in Afghan jails.

The committee was informed that the release of Pakistanis remained a high priority of the government and contacts had been made with Afghan authorities at the highest level and so far 975 prisoners had been repatriated.

It was further informed that warlords in Afghanistan had established private prisons/cells/camps and the government was trying its level best to get the exact number of prisoners kept there.

The committee noted with satisfaction that efforts were being made to get released Pakistanis imprisoned in various Afghan jails. It, however, emphasized the need to ensure expeditious repatriation of prisoners.

Reviewing the implementation status of assurances regarding provision of electricity to schools in NWFP out of the funds allocated by the federal government, the committee was informed that 23 schools had already been electrified whereas the remaining 22 would be electrified after the fulfilment of necessary formalities.

It directed a sub-committee to interact with the authorities concerned to pave the way for smooth and speedy completion of work.

The committee expressed satisfaction at the fact that the education ministry, as per its assurance, provided a list of those students who were selected for foreign scholarships during 2003-04.

Considering an assurance given by the adviser to prime minister on women development for establishing more crises centres and shelter homes, the committee was informed that 10 crises centres for women in distress had already been established and seven more would soon be set up.

Senator Chaudhry Mohammad Anwar Bhinder suggested that the committee members should visit the crises centres to ascertain their working and point out lacunas, if any, with a view to bringing about a qualitative improvement in their working.

The committee, while considering an assurance given by the minister for information and technology regarding provision of toll free numbers to Edhi Foundation, recommended that hotline services be provided in all major cities between Edhi Foundation and local hospitals.

The facility of toll free numbers be extended to other reputed organizations engaged in social welfare activities, it added.