Cabinet meets today: MQM, PML-Q to be grilled for support to Qadri

MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has convened a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday (today) to discuss blistering political situation arising out of “Safar-e-Inqlab” joint launching by Chief of Pakistan Awami Tahreek Professor Dr Allama Tahir-ul-Qadri and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.

The sources said, entire political system is at stake as two allies of the government i.e. Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) and MQM have joined hands with Dr Tahir –ul-Qadri.

A federal minister who sought anonymity told Business Recorder that the role of both the government allies would be flayed by the government in the cabinet meeting.

The cabinet will discuss status of implementation of Cabinet decisions pertaining to Human Rights and Industries Divisions. Confirmation about approval of decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet in its meeting held on 11th December, 2012 and 18th December, 2012 will also be made.

The Finance Ministry will give presentation to the Cabinet on Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the country to oversee/ discuss the trend of prices of essential commodities.

The Cabinet will approve Logistics Service Providers Regulatory Authority Bill, 2012 besides, amendments in the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design Act, 2011. Both summaries have been submitted by the Commerce Ministry.

Approval to initiate negotiations on MoU in the field of Disaster Management between the Civil Defence of the Republic of Cuba and National Disaster Management Authority, Government of Pakistan and approval to sign Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic and National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan, on Disaster Prevention and Elimination are also on the agenda.

The cabinet will also accord ex-post facto approval for the signing of an agreement between the Government of the Federal Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Pakistan government on Defence Cooperation.

The cabinet will ratify MoU on defence cooperation between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Pakistan government.

The cabinet will also ratify Saarc agreement on multilateral arrangements and recognition of conformity assessment, and Saarc agreement on implementation of regional standards.