Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
today chaired the meeting of Federal Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Office. The
Prime Minister apprised the Cabinet about his visit to USA where he forcefully
presented Pakistan’s point of view on critical issues including the
long-standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir, gross human rights violations at
Indian Occupied Kashmir, belligerent attitude of India, peace and stability in
Afghanistan and the region, and the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
The Prime Minister 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, CEO of World Bank, Executive Chairman of World Economic
Forum, UN Secretary General and King of Jordan. The Prime Minister during
his meetings emphasized that Pakistan wants a continued engagement with
regional as well as international powers based on mutual respect, equality
and partnership. He underscored 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
Prime Minister for his bold stance and forceful presentation of Pakistan’s case
before the international community. Secretary, Power Division 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 more than 11,500 MW electricity into
the system by June 2018. More than 6,100 MW 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 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 Mr. Rizwan Mir was approved as the Chief Executive Officer, Universal
Service Fund under the Ministry of Information Technology and
Telecommunication. The Cabinet, on the recommendation of Defence Ministry,
approved the appointment of Air Commodore Shams-ul-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.