GILGIT, July 10: The Northern Areas Legislative Council, in its session presided over by Speaker Malik Mohammad Miskeen in chair, started debate on the areas’ budget for 2006-07 here on Monday.

Taking the floor, Rani Attiqa thanked the federal government for establishing department of tourism and said that statistics shown in the budget under the head of tourism be explained.

She said funds allocation for technocrats and women members should also be specified. She asked the treasury benches to provide details of expenditure of the tourism department.

Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman stressed the need for a pre-budget briefing to the members of the house to let them know terminologies used and understand statistics and mechanism involved in preparation of the budget.

The speaker endorsed the point of view of Hafeezur Rehman that newly appointed advisors should reply questions of members after consulting the secretaries of the departments concerned.

Member from Ghanche district Mohammad Iqbal pointed out that 52 per cent land of the NAs was covered by glaciers and mountains and four per cent by forests.

He said only one per cent of the total 72 square kilometres of NAs was under cultivation.

He said there was a need for allocation of more funds to promote agriculture.

He Northern Areas could supply seeds of best quality wheat and potatoes to the whole country.

Those who participated in the debate included Mohammad Aslam, Mohammad Ismail, Imran Nadeem Ghulam Nabi and Gul Mara.

Later, the speaker adjourned the session till Thursday.—APP