Khyber News

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani presided over the meeting of the Federal Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat today;

The Prime Minister congratulated new Ministers and Ministers of State for their induction into the Federal Cabinet.

The Federal Cabinet offered special prayers (fateha) for those who lost their lives in tragic incident of Bhoja airline crash and Lahore bomb explosion. The Cabinet also prayed for recovery of servicemen trapped in Geyari incident.

The Prime Minister also announced that he will present himself before the Supreme Court tomorrow.  He said that in the respect of the Supreme Court he will appear before it for the third time. He further said that it is not a matter of ego but it is his responsibility to uphold the Constitution. The Cabinet colleagues expressed their confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minister.

The Federal Cabinet considered and gave its approval for confirmation of the decisions taken by Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in its meetings held on 6th and 12th April 2012.

The Federal Cabinet decided that draft amendments in CDA Ordinance 1960 should be resubmitted before it as a legislative Bill and not as an ordinance. The draft Bill, if approved by the Cabinet will be presented before the Parliament for approval.

The Federal Cabinet considered and accorded approval to initiate negotiations on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ministry of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates and the Ministry of industries, Pakistan on Developing Industrial Cooperation. During the 9th Session of Pak-UAE joint Ministerial Commission meeting held at Islamabad in 2007, Pakistan offered to assist UAE in industrial sector. In response UAE side proposed to initiate an agreement on Industrial Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and Industry, UAE and Ministry of Industries, Pakistan which will cover SMEs initiatives as well.

The Federal Cabinet considered and accorded its approval for ratification of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Governments of India and Pakistan on Drugs Demand Reduction and the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors Chemical and Related Matters.

The Cabinet considered and gave ex-post facto Approval to the Signing of Protocol between the Governments of Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan on the Establishment of a Trilateral Police Cooperation Programme in Particular on combating drugs trafficking.

The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for Initiation of negotiations to conclude an Agreement between Governments of Pakistan and Argentina for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income.

Production Division gave a presentation for the Cabinet on the affairs of Pakistan Steel Mills. It was decided that details of the bail out package will be approved after consultations with new CEO of the Steel Mill.

The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for Hajj Policy and Plan 2012. After the signing of bilateral annual agreement between the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Hajj, KSA on 22.02.2012, Hajj Policy 2011 has been reviewed and modified on the basis of an in-depth analysis and consultation with all stakeholders through Hajj workshops at Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta. Hajj Policy-2012 has been formulated by incorporating necessary features of the agreement and ground realities of Harmain Sharifain relating to accommodation market and facilities to be provided to Hajjaj. -- PR