ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali here on Wednesday constituted a six-member cabinet committee to undertake an immediate evaluation of the factors responsible for determining the price of fertilizer.

Presiding over a cabinet meeting, he also recommend measures to make fertilizers accessible and affordable to the farmers.

Headed by the minister for industries and production, the cabinet committee includes the ministers for food and agriculture, labour and manpower, adviser to the prime minister on privatization, Chairman of the National Reconstruction Bureau and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission.

According to an official announcement, the prime minister reiterated his government’s commitment to provide every possible relief to the farmers to ensure optimum increase in agricultural productivity and fair return to the growers.

He regretted that a number of prevalent malpractices in the sale and distribution of fertilizer had caused immense hardships to the farmers. He cited short weighing, hoarding and manipulation by middleman as some of the problems being encountered by the growers.

Mr Jamali asked the committee to address these issues as well and furnish its recommendations in the shortest possible time. He particularly referred to the coming Kharif sowing season and issued directive that relief should be provided to the farmers in time to ensure optimum sowing.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to introduce a one-desk facility for prospective investors. The proposal includes creation of a Facilitation Wing headed by a senior officer in all relevant ministries and departments and setting up of liaison desks in the CBR and the Board of Investment (BoI).

Commenting on the proposal, the prime minister emphasized that the basic thrust of the Pakistan’s investment policy should be on attracting and facilitating potential Pakistani investors, specially from overseas. All Pakistanis wishing to invest in Pakistan, he said, must be given preference and priority by the Board of Investment and all other agencies concerned.

The unemployment situation confronting the country and specially the youth could only be tackled through planned and speedy industrialization, he said.

He directed every ministry and department to work in harmony and with complete coordination as it was a shared responsibility, which must be carried jointly by all officials concerned of the government.

The cabinet also approved a proposal by the Pakistan Meteorological Department to enter into an agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organization for use and sharing of cost of the satellite distribution system for information relating to air navigation.

Earlier, the prime minister offered prayers for the officers and men of the Pakistan Air Force who died in the Kohat air crash, and paid glowing tribute to the late Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, and other officers and men of the PAF.

The cabinet also prayed for the Afghan minister for mines and other Afghan and Pakistan officials who died in the Cessna plane crash off Karachi coast two days ago. Condolence was also offered for the head of the Chinese company who also died in the air crash.