ISLAMABAD, 15 APR (DNA) – The National Assembly was informed on Friday that the government has banned all pesticides having potential to damage human health as declared by the Rotterdam Convention.

Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan told the House during question hour that the government is collecting data of child labour in cotton fields.

To a question, he said Australia is providing technical support in agriculture sector and enhancement of regional connectivity to Pakistan. He said trade and business delegations will visit Australia to explore avenues for promotion of bilateral trade and remove bottlenecks in the way.

The Minister said there will be zero rating on refunds under five million rupees exports from July this year. He said the government is committed to get duty free access for Pakistani products in European Union member states including Sweden.

The National Assembly today passed “The Patents (Amendment) Bill, 2015”. It was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad. Minister of State also presented before the House report of the Federal Public Service Commission for the year 2014.

Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan introduced “The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2016” in the House today.  Two reports of Standing Committees on Information Technology and Telecommunication and Interior and Narcotics Control were presented in the House.

On a point of order, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar assured the House that the government would get Anti-Honour Killing Bill passed at the earliest after developing consensus on the issue. He said an agreement with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government regarding payment of tariff would be implemented in letter and spirit.

On points of order, Shah Jee Gul Afridi and Ghalib Khan demanded early formulation of FATA Reforms to streamline the system in the area.   The House has now been prorogued. DNA