Cabinet takes coalition partners into confidence on by-polls: ministries told to arrange repatriation of Afghan refugees

The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday issued instructions to the Ministries of Interior and States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) to make arrangements for immediate repatriation of Afghan refugees.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, chairing the Cabinet meeting, also took the coalition partners into confidence on overall constitutional requirements of the Election Commission of Pakistan about holding by-polls in various constituencies.
Briefing newsmen on the decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting‚ Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the Prime Minister directed the Interior Ministry to ensure that the Afghan refugees are confined to the refugee camps of sector I-12 of the Federal Capital. Their activities in that sector and other designated areas will be monitored, specially in relation to law and order situation, she said.
The Prime Minster took the Cabinet into confidence regarding by-polls and their legal and constitutional aspects for which the session of National Assembly had been summoned for Wednesday, Firdous said.
She said that the Prime Minister informed the Cabinet about the on-going consultation process and co-ordination with the political parties in the Parliament.
Regarding surge in petroleum products prices, the Minister said that the prices of petroleum in international market compelled the government to raise the domestic prices. However, she said, directives were issued to the Ministry of Finance to evolve a comprehensive strategy, in consultation with the provincial governments, to keep the prices of daily use items at affordable level.
She said that the Cabinet also showed satisfaction over the performance of the Ministry of Interior, as it implemented 88 percent of the decision taken in the previous sessions of the Cabinet.
The Prime Minister showed concern over delay in setting up Madrassa Welfare Authority and directed the concern ministry to speed up the process. He also directed to finalise the recommendations on Techna Ordinance and to lay them before the parliament for debate.
The Minister also said that the Cabinet approved two MoUs, signed with Qatar and one with Russia. She further said that the Prime Minister would visit Qatar on February 6. Apart from other engagement, he will also discuss with his counterpart increase in work permits for Pakistan''s skilled labour.
The Cabinet also directed the Ministry of Finance to make sure that sugar mills pay to the sugarcane growers. The Cabinet also rectified all decisions made in the Economic Co-ordination Committee.