PM takes Federal Cabinet into confidence on by-polls

The Prime Minster took the cabinet and coalition partners into confidence regarding by-polls and their legal and constitutional aspects for which the National Assembly session was been summoned for Wednesday, Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan told media persons after the Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.

She said the Prime Minister also informed the Cabinet about the ongoing consultation process and coordination with the political parties sitting in the Parliament in this regard.

Commenting on the recent increase in petroleum prices, she said that increase in the prices of petroleum products in international market compelled the government to raise their prices.

The Minister for Finance has been directed to evolve a strategy in consultation with the provincial governments to ensure provision of daily routine items at controlled rates, Dr Firdous said.

She said the Cabinet was apprised that the inflation, which had been brought to a single digit in December last, might rise due to recent increase in the petroleum prices.

According to the data compiled by January 26, prices of 18 items witnessed increase, while those of 12 items decreased, she said and added that the quarters concerned had been advised to interact with media to explain the recent price hike in petroleum products.

Dr Firdous said that the Cabinet, which took up nine-point agenda, expressed satisfaction over implementation of its decisions. Eighty-eight per cent, i.e. 69 out of total 78 decisions have been implemented, she added.

She said the meeting deliberated upon establishment of a Madrassah Welfare Authority with the aim to devise a uniform policy for syllabus, students registration and allocation of funds.

The Interior Minister informed the Cabinet that efforts were on to establish the authority in consultation with all the stakeholders. A draft would soon be put before the Cabinet for approval.

She said the ministries of Interior and SAFRON have been directed to work on war-footings for early repatriation of 3.5 million Afghan refugees, besides, keeping a strict check on their activities and places where they are residing.

The minister said that the Cabinet asked the quarters concerned to `revisit' the draft of NACTA Ordinance-2011 in consultation with the stakeholders so that a final draft could be sent to the Parliament for approval.

She said the Interior Minister assured the Cabinet that during next 15 days an elaborate strategy would be shared on the Safe City Islamabad project, which had already been approved by the Prime Minister.

Dr Firdous said the Ministry of Interior have been directed to prepare a draft of Memorandum of Understanding on exchange of offenders between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The Information Minister said the Cabinet was informed in detail about the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to Qatar from February 6 to 8.

The Cabinet discussed different initiatives to further strengthen the existing ties between the two countries.

Dr Firdous said all-out efforts would be made to export Pakistan's skilled labour to different countries, especially Qatar. The Cabinet approved two memorandums of understanding (MoUs), which would be signed with Qatar during the Prime Minister's visit.

She said that one MoU would be signed with Qatar for the construction of national highways and motorways infrastructure.

Another MoU will be signed in the field of hydro-power generating projects aimed at meeting the growing energy demand of the country, she said and added that there would be focus on rehabilitation of existing hydro power plants.

She said the Federal Cabinet also endorsed decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee, stressing the need to ensure timely payments to sugarcane growers. "The Prime Minister directed to evolve a Sugarcane Growers Protection strategy to address problems being faced by the farming community."

She said the Zarai Taraqiati Bank had also been advised to streamline the process of agri-loans so that farmers could take maximum benefit of the facility. "The government is paying all due attention to the agri sector as it is the backbone of national economy," she added.

Firdous said the Cabinet also approved payment of Rs 160 billion for clearing the circular debt of power producing companies, which would help reduce the load-shedding duration.

She was of the view that with the payment of circular debt, the performance of power generation companies would increase.

She said, three amendments in the Chartered Account Amendment- Bill 2007 have been approved by the Cabinet, making it a more professional and vibrant body.

The Cabinet gave a go-ahead signal to the Interior Division to start negotiations for "Visa abolition agreement of diplomatic officials and ordinary businessmen and passport holders." It also approved a memorandum of understanding to be signed with Russia to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology, the minister said.

To a question, she said, the government is taking all possible measures to provide uninterrupted gas supply to domestic consumers. "Increasing gap between demand and supply of gas is creating difficulties for the government, but the uninterrupted supply will be ensured to domestic sector," she said.

To a question, she said, it was proposed in the Federal Budget 2011-12 to collect Rs 120 billion under the petroleum development levy.

However, during the first six months of the current fiscal year, only Rs. 20 billion had been collected.

She said petroleum prices are determined by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority keeping in view the rates of international markets.

To another question the minister asked the Punjab Government to bring to book the culprits behind the tragic deaths of innocent people caused by spurious drugs in the province. For this, the federal government is ready to extend every possible assistance, she added.

"Free, fair and transparent investigation of the issue should be conducted rather indulging into the blame game" the minister said.

She said that following the passage of 18th Constitutional amendment, the health subject has been devolved and transferred to provinces. So, it is the responsibility of the provinces to check the quality and ingredients of the drugs before purchase.

The minister said Punjab has around 500 Drug Inspectors and it is responsibly of the provincial government to check and monitor the standard of the medicines.

She said Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to probe the issue and it has arrested some persons allegedly involved in the fake drugs case.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012