The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Thursday approved a mechanism for deduction at source of outstanding power sector payables of provinces. The CCI met here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM''s Office. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed the meeting that the process of deduction at source would be in place from July 1, 2014 through the federal adjuster. The participants of the meeting also stressed the need for reconciling old dues.
The meeting decided that the representatives of provinces should sit together to sort out the issue of old dues within 30 days and its report should be presented in the next CCI meeting. The Council approved the Pakistan Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill-2014 for placing it before the Parliament.
The bill provides for forming a national policy on energy conservation and suggesting measures on the matter. It would also create awareness about energy conservation. The meeting also approved amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 for restoration of executive magistracy.
While discussing the agenda item on inquiry into Kachi Canal, the Prime Minister expressed his displeasure over the delay in inquiry and directed to hold it through international auditors to fix the responsibility. He further directed to hold technical as well as financial audit of the scheme. The agenda of the sixth population census was deferred till next meeting.
The Prime Minister directed that the concerns, raised by Chief Minister Balochistan, should be discussed with the Balochistan government and a report be submitted within two weeks. The CCI also approved amendments to the Gwadar Port Authority Act. It was decided that the Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority would be a nominee of Chief Minister Balochistan.
Regarding the matter of 50 percent membership of the Board of Governors of Gwadar Port Authority, it was decided that the Act would undergo certain changes. The CCI also approved the permanent absorption of federal employees transferred to provincial governments after devolution through the 18th Amendment. The meeting also decided to expedite the absorption process.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the CCI on public debt management and supervision policy. He told the meeting that in order to improve the debt management operation, the government has initiated a process of preparing a comprehensive medium-term debt strategy in consultation with all stakeholders. The strategy will facilitate in making strategic decisions for new borrowings including an appropriate mix between domestic and external loans to finance the budget deficit, he added. The meeting also endorsed the Framework for the 11th Five-Year Plan (2013-18) and Pakistan Vision-2025.
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