Islamabad: The National Assembly was informed today about a new government initiative aimed at tackling the issue of counterfeit medicines in the country. The project, which is set to be launched by the Prime Minister by the end of November, will allow consumers to verify the authenticity of medicines using their mobile phones by scanning 2D barcodes at pharmacies.
According to Radio Pakistan, Minister for National Health Services, Mustafa Kamal, shared details of the project during the Question Hour. The system is designed not only to confirm the genuineness of medicines but also to verify their approved price and expiry date. This initiative will empower the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to take necessary actions against those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs.
Additionally, the Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, briefed the assembly on the digitization efforts within Pakistan Railways. The modernization includes an electronic ticket booking system available through the Railways Automated Booking and Travel Assistance (RABTA) mobile application, allowing passengers to check schedules, seat availability, and purchase tickets online.
In other developments, the Parliamentary Secretary for Water Resources, Ms. Rana Ansar, announced government-sponsored construction of eighteen dams, including the Diamer Bhasha Dam, intended to augment the national water storage capacity significantly. The Diamer Bhasha Dam is expected to store 6.4 million acre-feet of water and enhance irrigation supplies to existing agricultural lands.
Moreover, Parliamentary Secretary for National Food Security, Shaista Khan, discussed ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of quality seeds across the country. Research is being conducted to develop climate-resilient wheat and cotton seed varieties. The government is also transitioning the wheat sector towards a market-oriented system to improve efficiency and encourage private investment.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Division, Osama Sarwar, announced the induction of four new aircraft into Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by January next year. PIA, now privatized and operating under an independent Board of Directors, plans to commence flights from Karachi to the United Kingdom in the same timeframe.
In a significant move, the National Assembly passed a resolution reaffirming its commitment to protecting individuals against workplace harassment in all its forms. The resolution, introduced by Shahida Rehmani, called for effective implementation of existing laws to safeguard individuals from both sexual and non-sexual harassment and discrimination at work.
The session concluded with the prorogation of the House.