The National Assembly was informed on Friday that Pakistan and Bangladesh are working on early resumption of direct flights to boost trade, tourism, and medical travel.
Responding to a question during the Question Hour, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said Bangladesh has allowed two Pakistani airlines namely “Fly Jinnah” and “Air Sial” for operating flights between the two countries.
He further informed the House that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with Bangladesh and has undertaken a series of political and economic initiatives to enhance bilateral ties. He said leadership-level contacts have been established in the recent past.
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs informed that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the export of two lac metric tons of rice of which fifty thousand metric tons have already been supplied. He said Bangladesh has also streamlined business visa procedures for Pakistani investors.
Answering a question, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said new RLNG gas connections are being provided to consumers on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said the cost of RLNG will be higher than Sui Gas, but lower than the LNG.
To a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights, Saba Sadiq, updated the House that a toll-free helpline 1099 operates round the clock to provide free legal advice and assistance on human rights violations, including cases of violence.
Replying to another question, Parliamentary Secretary for Communication, Gul Asghar Khan, said work on the six-lane Sialkot-Kharian Motorway is underway and is expected to be completed in 2028.
“The Netting of Financial Arrangements Bill, 2025” and “The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025” were introduced in the House.
Gas connection schemes
Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Petroleum and Division Mian Khan Bugti Friday informed the National Assembly that out of seven ongoing gas connection schemes in the Swat and surrounding areas, five projects have been completed while work on two others is in progress.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, he said that due to security challenges and difficult terrain in some tribal regions, progress has been slower than expected. However, the government remains committed to completing all pending projects at the earliest.
Mian Bugti said the several projects initiated from 2013 to 2021 have already been completed, while work on older schemes, where citizens have already deposited connection fee is being prioritized.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that approximately Rs. 2.5 billion have been spent on these projects.
He said that the government has formulated a comprehensive RLNG (Re-Gasified Liquefied Natural Gas) policy, which is uniformly applicable across all provinces.
Mian Bugti clarified that new gas connections cannot be provided through conventional gas supply; however, connections can be issued based on RLNG.
He assured that schemes for which payments have already been made by the public will be completed soon to ensure convenience for consumers.
Mian Khan Bugti reaffirmed that the government is taking all possible measures to complete energy-related projects on a priority basis in line with public needs.
