ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet was told on Wednesday that the prices of essential consumer items remained stable and the country's exports increased by two billion dollars in the month of March.
The Federal Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, discussed 13-item agenda and approved various Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed with various countries.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, told a press conference that the Cabinet took stock of the status of implementation of its decisions taken during previous meetings pertaining to Defence, Economic Affairs and Environment divisions.
She said that the Cabinet was informed that implementation of most of the decisions was pending because response from other countries was awaited and some of them would have to be referred to Council of Common Interests following the 18th Amendment.
Dr Firdous said a presentation was given by the Finance Division to the Cabinet on the Consumer Price Index in the country to oversee the trend of prices of essential commodities.
The Cabinet was informed that the prices of wheat and oil in the country were the lowest as compared to those in the entire region of South Asia.
She said that the Prime Minister directed that efforts must be stepped up to control the prices of essential commodities and accessibility of consumer goods to common man.
The Cabinet accorded approval in principle to start negotiations with the State of Oman on signing an MoU for Enhancement of Maritime Cooperation and Exchange of Information Between Royal Oman Police Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.
The Cabinet approved in principle to start negotiations on an agreement on transfer of offenders between Pakistan and Oman.
The agreement will help in repatriation to Pakistan a large number of Pakistanis in Omani jails.
The Cabinet approved the signing of an agreement on Defence Cooperation between Romania and Pakistan and also approved in principle to start negotiations on the proposed Draft MoU on Media Cooperation with Sri Lanka.
The Cabinet also approved in principle to start negotiations for Visa Abolition Agreement with Malta for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Ex-post facto approval was granted for signing of an agreement on donation in the field of health between health ministries of Turkey and Pakistan.
The Cabinet also accorded approval for signing and ratification of five MoUs in the field of health between Turkey and Pakistan.
Ex-post facto approval was accorded to MoUs between Pakistan and Turkey in the filed of housing.
Dr Firdous said approval was granted for ratification of Agreement for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments with Kuwait.
The Cabinet also approved the federalization of five roads under the Sindh Package, which were being built by the NHA. The upgraded national highways would open up business opportunities and activities in the area. The roads included Larkana - Kamber - Shahdadkot Road (50 Km), Larkana Moenjo Daro Road upto Airport (28 Km), Ratodero Naudero Road including internal road of about 2 Km (18 Km), Sakrand - Shaheed Benazirabad Road (35 Km), Larkana - Nasirabad Road via Rasheed Wagan (34 Km).
The minister said that the Cabinet also approved the resignation of Dr Babar Awan to plead the review petition of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto murder case before the Supreme Court. The Cabinet appreciated the services of Dr Babar Awan.
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