ISLAMABAD: The Senate resumed its session in Islamabad on Friday morning with Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani in the chair.

The Senate was informed today that a proposal to construct four more entry gates along the border with Afghanistan is under consideration to effectively monitor the cross border movement of the people.

Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman told the House during question hour that these gates will be erected at South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Kurram Agency and Mohmand Agency.

The Minister of State said that two entry gates at Torkham and Chaman are already operational and will be upgraded by 2020.

Responding to the questions about implementation of National Action Plan, he said that instruments are in place to check the terrorist financing and in this regard accounts of several thousand suspicious have also been blocked. He said since the launch of NAP 1865 terrorists have been killed and 5611 arrested. He said that 414 terrorists have also been executed under anti-terrorism act. He said that steps have also been taken towards dismantling the network of terrorists.

Baligh-ur-Rehman told the House that a policy is in place to monitor the operations of International NGOs. He said the present government has introduced a new registration policy for the INGOs. Under this policy, 142 NGOs operating in the country applied for registration. Of these, 58 have been registered as per the laid down procedure.

Responding to a calling attention notice about contaminated blood being used by the health facilities for transfusion of blood in Islamabad Capital Territory, Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said that Blood Transfusion Authority has been made fully functional and it is regularly inspecting the services of blood banks. He said that a total of 20 blood banks are operating in the federal capital. Six blood banks were closed down due to their substandard services.

The House also admitted for discussion an adjournment motion moved by Sherry Rehman regarding the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products.

The Senate today passed "The Senate Secretariat Services Bill, 2017". The bill was moved by Leader of the House Raja Zafar-ul-Haq.

The House today passed a unanimous resolution strongly denouncing the circulation of objectionable material about Holy Prophet [PBUH] and his companions on the social media. The resolution moved by Kamil Ali Agha said that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and it takes on its shoulder the responsibility for ensuring the sanctity of all the sacred personalities including Holy Prophet [PBUH], his companions and his family.

The resolution said that the recent incidents of circulation of sacrilegious material on the social media are aimed at stoking anarchy in the country. It said that our constitution respects the right of freedom of expression but does not allow the profanity of any holy personality.

The resolution urged the relevant quarters to take strict action against these elements and ensure proper monitoring of the social media and other tools of information technology.

The House will now meet on Monday afternoon at three. -Radio Pakistan