Islamabad, (Press Release), (Parliament Times) : Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony met on Monday with Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim in the Chair to take briefing on the Public Sector Development program (PSDP) for the next financial year, 2022-23 under Rule 166(7) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 here at the Parliament House.
The Ministry proposed the establishment of a recycling plant for disposal of Shaheed pages/papers of the Holy Quran in Islamabad. The stance of the Ministry was that to avoid allegations and event of blasphemy, shaheed Holy pages are required to be disposed on in an appropriate and respectful manner.
The Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs apprised the committee that the budgetary proposal of the acquisition of land Construction Establishment of Recycling Plant for Shaheed Quran Papers is 499.792 million for the year 2022-23. The duration of the Project in 1 year and so far it is unapproved. The committee was informed that the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has approved the project. The objective of the establishment of the recycling plant is to preserve the sanctity of the Shaheed Holy Quran. The committee members inquired on the process of recycling to which it was informed that the process would include pulping, deinking and new papermaking. The ink would be removed in a flotation process where air would be blown into the solution. The ink would rise to the surface in adherence to bubbles of air from where it is separated. After the ink is separated, the fiber may be bleached, usually with hydrogen peroxide, oxygen or chlorine dioxide. The committee approved the proposal of the ministry after endorsing the approval of the Council of Islamic Ideology.
The proposal of Construction of Hajj Complex, Lahore was also accepted by the committee. The Ministry informed that ministry has 57 canals of land situated in Harpans Pura, Lahore meant for new building of Hajj Complex Lahore to be utilized for lodging/boarding of pilgrims prior to proceed to Holy Land during the hajj season. The ministry was informed that existing Hajj complex in operational in a rental building causes financial burden on Public exchequer and does not provide up to the mark facility. A sum of rs. 758.092/-per month is being paid from the National exchequer for a limited space.
The Ministry presented a total budgetary proposal of 1199.792 million for the financial year 2022-23 for approval and recommendation from the Senate Panel on the acquisition of Land /Establishment of recycling plant for Shaheed Quran Papers in Islamabad and Construction of Hajj Complex, Lahore.
The meeting was attended by Senator Gurdeep Singh, Senator Prof. Sajid Mir, Senator Naseebullah Bazai and Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim. Senior Officials from the ministry and its attached departments were also in attendance.
