Cabinet reiterates resolve to continue fight against terrorism

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families of Quetta blasts and reiterated the resolve to continue fight against terrorism and remain un-deterred till its logical end.

It also resolved to bring to book the culprits behind such brutal acts, said Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira while briefing news persons here about the cabinet decisions.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, stressed for adopting a national approach to fight against terrorism and find its solution, he said.

"The support and strength of the country's political leadership is required for addressing grave areas," Kaira quoted the Prime Minister as saying in his opening remarks at the meeting.

The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan continued to confront courageously the menace of terrorism and would continue to fight till it was wiped out, said Kaira.

The cabinet members offered Fateha for those killed in separate terrorist incidents in Quetta, Hangu and Lakki.

The Prime Minister requested all the patriotic Pakistanis to keep an eye on suspicious activities and inform the law enforcement agencies for stern action against them, said the Information Minister.

"The governments come and go but the country will InshaAllah remain stable. We all are the servants of Pakistan, its people and will serve to the best of our ability," the Prime Minister said.

Kaira said that the Prime Minister noted that the scarifies of the leaders of PPP and those of its allies would be written in the history with golden words.

The Prime Minister informed the cabinet that "With the blessings of Allah and because of laudable efforts of the Parliamentary Committee, focused and targeted operation against the culprits and placement of new Provincial Police Officer Balochistan, the negotiations with the victim brethren were successful".

Raja Pervez Ashraf said a wrong impression was being created by the enemies of the democracy that the government had not done anything during the last five years.

"In fact, the government has taken all possible measures for improvement in the law and order situation and economy despite many constraints," he added.

Referring to his recent official visit to the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister said it was in the direction to interact with British government on matters of mutual interest and to meet the Pakistani community settled in the U.K. He said Pakistan and Britain enjoyed cordial relations and added that his visit promoted it further.

"Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with UK, which is an important member of European Union and Pakistan's second largest trading partner," the Prime Minister said.

Kaira quoted the Prime Minister as saying that the matters of bilateral interest, including Afghan situation, following the withdrawal of NATO troops, came under discussion and British Prime Minister David Cameron greatly appreciated Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terror.

The Prime Minister apprised the cabinet about his discussions with the British Prime Minister including the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue, GSP Plus Scheme, investment opportunities in Pakistan and the recently concluded trilateral meeting, said Kaira.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the cabinet also gave approval to initiation of negotiations for a reciprocal agreement between Pakistan and Indonesia and an MoU between the FMU Pakistan and the Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Centre of Indonesia.

The cabinet, Kaira said, considered and accorded approval to the Futures Trading Bill, 2013. The bill would provide comprehensive framework encompassing all the regulatory requirements with regard to the futures markets.

The cabinet also accorded approval to the Draft Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2013, he added.

Kaira said the cabinet considered and accorded approval for signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between EV-K2-CNR, an Italian autonomous and non-profit organization and Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) on Climate Change and Adaptation Measures. EV-K2-CNR is coordinating and promoting scientific research and cooperation initiatives in climate vulnerable environments particularly focusing the development countries of the Hindu Kush-Karakouram-Himalaya region, he added.

The GCISC is proposed to participate as their scientific partner in the research project, including installation of a high altitude atmospheric monitoring station in Pakistan, he noted.

The cabinet, Kaira said, also ratified the framework agreement for grant aid between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea. The agreement was aimed at institutionalizing the development cooperation relating to grant assistance between the two countries.

The cabinet considered policy guidelines under Section 21 of PGRA Ordinance 2002 and decided that the decision of the cabinet committee on this issue will be implemented, Kaira added.

The cabinet also gave its approval to shale gas framework for the first three pilot projects through open international bidding and directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to finalize a criteria for the shale gas exploration.

The final report of Water Sector Task Force established by the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) in 2010 was submitted to the cabinet, he said and added that the main objective of that report was to develop a mechanism to dealing with water issues in Pakistan.

The cabinet reviewed status of implementation of its decisions pertaining to IT & Telecommunications and Inter Provincial Coordination divisions. The cabinet was informed that nine out 16 decisions have been implemented while the rest are under different stages of implementation by Ministry of IT and Telecom.

The cabinet also accorded its confirmation to the decisions by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meetings held on January 29.

Kaira said the cabinet also considered and accorded its approval to start negotiations for reciprocal agreements between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and an MOU between the Financial Monitoring Unit, Pakistan and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka.

Approval was also accorded to start negotiations for a reciprocal agreement between Pakistan and Seychelles and an MOU between the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), Pakistan and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Seychelles, he said.

The cabinet also considered and gave approval to initiation of negotiations for a reciprocal agreement between Pakistan and Turkey and an MOU between the financial monitoring unit Pakistan and Financial Crimes Investigation Board of Turkey, said Kaira.

Kaira said that before the start of formal proceedings of cabinet, Fateha was offered for the martyrs of Quetta blast and for those who embraced Shahaadat outside a mosque in Hangu and martyrs of militant attack on Army Camp at Lakki.

The cabinet also paid tribute to the sacrifice of Bashir Ahmed Bilour and decided to recommend his name for the Noble Prize for Peace.