Cabinet approves Iran gas pipeline project on bilateral basis
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet has decided to immediately go ahead with Iran gas pipeline project on bilateral basis, gradually increase spending on education and health to 10% of GDP, impose 25% duty on export of molasses and advance clocks by one hour from 15th of this month. The meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday was chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
The meeting observed that since India, the third country involved in the proposed gas pipeline has withdrawn, Pakistan will execute the project to import one billion cubic feet of gas. It was decided to conclude gas purchase agreement.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira said as the price of Iranian gas would be comparatively higher, it would mainly be used for power generation by those plants that are currently run on furnace oil.
He emphasized that government is striving to reduce its dependence on imported energy and intends to exploit local resources. He said the cabinet also discussed the new educational policy and decided to take the provincial governments on board before its approval. Ministry of Education has been directed to send copies of the draft policy to the chief ministers for their input as implementation is mainly the domain of the provinces.
The Information Minister said that government is giving top priority to the education and health and would seek foreign assistance including that from Friends of Pakistan for the purpose and would gradually enhance the allocations for education and health up to ten percent of the GDP.
The cabinet also decided to organize the education system in religious schools to bring them in mainstream. The education minister said we don’t want to impose curbs on religious education but want Madaris to teach comtemporary education so that the students of these institutions may also join other services including appearance in competitive examination.
The Cabinet directed the ministry of finance to give briefing to it about the financial position every month so that the nation is kept informed of the situation.
It also decided that special incentives would be given to export processing zone at Gwadar to give a fillip to economic activities in Balochistan. A ministerial committee comprising of Minister for Industries, Advisor on Finance and Minister for Port and Shipping has been set up to recommend incentives.
The Minister for Information said that the government wants to bring the backward areas of Balochistan at par with the developed parts of the country.
The Information Minister said that the cabinet has taken important decision for resolving electricity crisis in Karachi and rid the city of load shedding. For this purpose the cabinet decided to accept liability of thirty-one billion loan, out of a total of over forty billion loans owed by KESC. He informed that the loan is due to differences between purchase and selling rates of power by the Corporation.
He said the new management of KESC has pledged an investment of three hundred and sixty million dollars in power generation and improvement of system in Karachi. The loan would be adjusted in accordance with this investment. A committee comprising of Advisor on Finance, Minister for Water and Power, Advisor on Petroleum and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis has been constituted to look after the KESC performance.
The cabinet also decide to review Afghan transit trade with a view to meeting the requirements of Afghanistan and at the same time warding off any loss to Pakistan. The Information Minister said it was also decided at today’s meeting that legislation would be made through bills and parliament instead of ordinances.
A National University of Law and Social Sciences would establish in Islamabad with campuses in the four provinces to cater to the higher education needs of those seeking to pursue law. It was also decided to advance clocks by an hour from 15th of this month to make the maximum use of day light and save the electricity. He said a similar decision last year helped saved 250 MW of electricity daily.
The Cabinet decided to impose 25% regulatory duty on molasses to help meet needs of the local Ethanol producing industry. The Information Minister said the country will have to import sugar in view of less than targeted production of the sugarcane.
Replying to questions Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira said the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security would be presented in the National Assembly tomorrow and before the Senate on 17th of this month. These would be implemented by the government after finalization by the parliament.
To another question he said drone attacks constitute attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty and these are counter productive to the objectives of fight against terrorism.-SANA
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