Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the meeting of Federal Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.
The PM apprised the Cabinet about his visit to the United States (US) where he forcefully presented Pakistan’s point of view on critical issues including the long-standing issue of Kashmir, gross human rights violations at Indian Occupied Kashmir, belligerent attitude of India, peace and stability in Afghanistan, and the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
Khaqan also briefed the Cabinet about his bilateral meetings on the side lines of UNGA Session, particularly the meetings with the US Vice President, Presidents of Iran and Turkey, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, World Bank CEO, World Economic Forum Executive Chairman, UN Secretary General and King of Jordan.
During his meetings, the PM emphasised that Pakistan desires a continued engagement with regional as well as international powers based on mutual respect, equality and partnership. He underlined the need for the international community to appreciate and acknowledge the huge sacrifices and contributions made by Pakistan for regional peace and stability.
The Federal Cabinet appreciated the PM for his bold stance and forceful presentation of Pakistan’s case before the international community. Power Division secretary gave a detailed presentation on the current and future demand and supply situation of the power sector.
The Cabinet was informed that the present government would add around 11,500MW electricity into the system by June 2018. More than 6,100MW had already been added to the system by June 2017. The Cabinet was further informed that by November of this year, load-shedding would be reduced to a negligible level.
Improvements in transmission and distribution system were also presented to the Cabinet. The Cabinet discussed various issues related to the power sector and appreciated the efforts made by the Ministry of Energy. The Cabinet approved five years extension of the lease contract of Saindak Copper Gold project, between Saindak Metals Limited and Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd. (MCC).
The existing lease agreement term would expire on October 31, 2017. The Cabinet approved the issuance of Policy Directive to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) under Section 8 of the PTA (Re-Organization) Act, 1996 to enable market testing of 5G technology within the regulatory environment and ensure that the new technology is ready of the market.
The appointment of Rizwan Mir was approved as the Universal Service Fund Chief Executive Officer, under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. The Cabinet, on the recommendation of Defence Ministry, approved the appointment of Air Commodore Shamsul Haq as Member Commercial and Air Commodore Aamir Habib Ullah Maken as Member Technical of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Board Kamra.
The Cabinet also accorded the approval of the appointment of Raja Pervaiz Akhter, District and Session Judge, as a Judge of Special Court (Control of Narcotics Substances) Rawalpindi, on the recommendation of the Lahore High Court, Lahore. Appointment of Rai Nazir Ahmed, District and Session Judge, as the Judge Banking Court-II Lahore was also approved by the Federal Cabinet.
The Cabinet approved a proposal by the Finance division that would enable the Auditor General of Pakistan to sign an MoU with its Indonesian counterpart on Cooperation in public sector auditing. To expedite the process of development, the Cabinet approved a proposal to amend guidelines regarding implementation of projects under the Prime Minister’s Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Achievement Programme. According to the decision taken by the Cabinet, the competent authority/forum would be authorized to approve schemes costing over Rs. 30 million.
The Cabinet also ratified decisions of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) held on 29th August, 2017. The Cabinet also ratified decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Energy during its meeting dated 6th September, 2017. The Cabinet also approved a proposal allowing persons with special needs (physically impaired, hearing/speech impaired and visually impaired) to compete in the competitive examination against all occupational groups/services.