Briefing the media on Cabinet's decisions, the minister said that the prime minister also directed the ministries of finance, water and power, and petroleum to submit a joint strategy to end load- shedding.
She said that all the proposals by coalition partners would be discussed along with the budget strategy paper prepared by Ministry of Finance for the period 2012-13 at the special sitting.
The Cabinet prayed for the early recovery of the army officers, jawans and civilians trapped under snow in the Gayari Sector at Siachin. The Prime Minister directed that all efforts should be made for early recovery and evacuation of the trapped people.
The Cabinet discussed at length, the budget strategy paper for the period 2012-13 and projections up till 2014-15. The strategy paper aims at accelerating growth while ensuring macro-economic stability and articulates guiding principles for annual budget in order to achieve targets over the medium term.
The prime minister said that the budget will be prepared in the light of recommendation made by the peoples representatives. The Prime Minister also directed that an exclusive meeting of the Cabinet should be convened to discuss budget related matters.
The Cabinet reviewed the implementation status of Cabinet decisions pertaining to Religious Affairs, Revenue and Science & Technology Research Divisions. The Cabinet was informed that 87%, 79% and 78% decisions pertaining to Religious Affairs, Revenue and Science and Technology Research Divisions respectively have been implemented. The remaining Cabinet decisions pertaining to these Divisions are in the process of implementation.
"The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for confirmation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCOP) in its meeting held on March 2, 2012. Secretary Cabinet briefed the Cabinet about the Citizens Damage Compensation Programme (CDCP) going on in the flood (2010) affected areas. The Secretary informed that, so far, 1,700,000 families have already been paid through Watan Cards," said the minister.
She informed the Cabinet that in the phase-I, the eligibility criteria was the entitlement of head of the family for compensation. However, in the phase-II the head of the household affected would be provided a compensation of Rs.40,000 per household. The Cabinet was informed that international donors and development partners were highly satisfied with the progress so far made in alleviating the sufferings of flood affected people.
"The Prime Minister directed NADRA and all concerned departments to expedite the process of distributing Watan Cards to the flood affected people of Balochistan and Sindh. In this regard, he directed all the stakeholders and provincial authorities to sort out the matter at the earliest".
She said that the secretary finance briefed the Cabinet about Consumer Price Index, till April 5, 2012, in the country. She said the Cabinet was informed that prices of 28 items including Tomato, Potato and Petroleum products, in the CPI have increased during the last week. However prices of 16 items including LPG, Onion, Eggs and Garlic, have decreased and prices of 15 items including Tea, Firewood and Salt remained stable.
The Cabinet considered and accorded its ex-post facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding Offer of Credit Line of US$ 200 million to Sri Lanka. To strengthen the existing friendship and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the Government of Pakistan agreed to offer a credit line of US$200 million to Sri Lanka.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed during the visit of Sri Lankan President to Pakistan on February 11, 2012. The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for permission, in principle, to start negotiations with the Government of South Africa to have an agreement with a view to match the demands and offers of jobs in various economic sectors of South Africa.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has prepared a draft MoU for export of manpower from Pakistan to South Africa. The Cabinet considered and gave its approval, in principle, for initiating negotiations on the draft agreement between China and Pakistan on cooperation in combating illicit Traffic of Narcotics Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors.
The Cabinet approved, in principle, for initiating negotiations on the draft agreement between Sultanate of Oman and the Ministry of Narcotics Control of the Government of of Pakistan, on cooperation in combating Illicit Traffic of Narcotics Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors.
The Cabinet considered and gave its ex-post facto approval for signing and approval for ratification of the agreement on cooperation to combat Narcotic Drugs Trafficking Psychotropic Substances and Precursors between Pakistan and Italy.
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval, in principle, for initiating negotiations on the draft agreement between the State Drug Control Service, Governments of the Kyrgyzstan and Ministry of Narcotics Control, Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on cooperation in the fight against Illicit Traffic in Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors.
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for ratification of the agreement in the field of Auqaf and Islamic Affairs between the Governments of State of Qatar and Pakistan.
The purpose of the agreement is to enhance cooperation between the two friendly countries, the development of excellent relations between them and to achieve integration in the field of Islamic affairs, to serve the cultural exchange and experience in preaching, guidance, revival of the Islamic heritage and invest endowment and Zakat.