ISLAMABAD – State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan on Wednesday informed the Senate that overseas Pakistanis had sent home $34.28 billion remittances during the last two fiscal years.

Replying to a question during Question Hour, the minister said $18.45 billion foreign remittances were received in 2014-15 and $15.83 billion during 2013-14. Pakistan received maximum remittances from the Middle East countries and the government was taking possible steps to facilitate expatriates, he said.

The number of banks for remittances distribution had also been increased to 25 from five to provide prompt facility to the overseas Pakistanis, he added. Replying to another question, Jam Kamal told the House that Rs 174.457 billion was recovered on account of withholding tax (WHT) on mobile phone card/recharges and other sources connected thereto during the last five years.

Giving the breakup, he said Rs 211.294.170 million was recovered on account of WHT in 2010-11, Rs 31,885.543 million in 2011-12, Rs 27,076.310 million in 2012-13, Rs 51,119.235 million in 2013-14 and Rs 43,082.634 million in 2014-15. In response to another question, the state minister said the subject of registration of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) fell under the purview of provincial governments and the Islamabad Capital Territory while the Economic Affairs Division did not maintain any record pertaining to them.

The mandate of foreign-based NGOs had been transferred to the Interior Ministry under the directions of the Prime Minister, he added. Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal informed the House that Additional Registrar (BPS-19) Muhammad Hussain of PIDE University was granted extension in service thrice after attaining the age of superannuation. The university management had been told that there would no further extension (in service) for the said official, he said.