Rs 2m spent on lawyers for Dr Aafia, Foreign Ministry tells NA

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Ministry on Friday informed National Assembly that government of Pakistan has spent Rs 2 million dollars for a team of lawyers for hearing the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

During a Question-Hour in the National Assembly, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan on Friday told the House that the next hearing of Dr Aafia is on October 19 and government of Pakistan has spent Rs 2 million dollars for a team of lawyers for hearing the case.

Regarding missing children of Dr Aafia, US government has not given a positive response, he said.

He told the NA that in Guantanama Bay Jail, five Pakistani prisoners are languishing in it that include Amar Ali Balochi, Majeed Khan, Abur Jhan, Muhammad Ahmed Ghulam and Saif Ullah Paracha etc.

Parliamentary Secretary for Food Liaqat Ali Khan told the House that there is no shortage of Atta in the country and there is some problem for its purchase due to long rows of people wanting Atta on large scales.

Mehreen Razzak Bhutto, Parliamentary Secretary for Health said that government is taking down to earth steps for eradication of polio in the country adding efficient campaign is underway to eliminate the menace at the earliest.

She was of the view that during 2008 and 2009, children suffered due to security situation in FATA and adjoining areas.

She went on to say that polio cases are decreasing but awareness is the need of the hour.

She said that in next polio campaign, Parliamentarians will also be included.

She said that all provincial governments has been directed to lend a hand and set up cold storages for vaccine of polio.