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| 06 May 2004 | Thursday | 15 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Cabinet bans wheat export: Provinces asked to curb smuggling
ISLAMABAD, May 5: The federal cabinet on Wednesday imposed an immediate ban on export of wheat in order to ensure food security in the country and directed the interior ministry and provincial governments to ensure that the decision was fully enforced.
The cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali, also decided to ensure availability of wheat flour in accordance with the requirements of all the provinces, besides continuing the ongoing procurement drive to build up and further stabilize the country's wheat reserves.
The meeting directed the authorities concerned to take appropriate steps to stop smuggling of wheat. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Jamali said: "Requirements of the people of Pakistan take precedence over every other consideration."
The cabinet, however, avoided to discuss the ban imposed by the Punjab government on inter-provincial and inter-district movement of wheat which was being strongly agitated by other provinces, particularly the NWFP.
The cabinet directed the federal and provincial agencies to safeguard the interests of small growers by eliminating the role of the middlemen who thrived on the compelling exigencies of farmers.
DRAFT BILL: The cabinet also approved a draft bill proposing a complete ban on export of goods, technologies, material and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons and their delivery systems.
"The draft bill manifests Pakistan's strong commitment to the prevention of proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons and missiles capable of delivering such weapons," said a statement issued after the meeting.
The UN Security Council has recently adopted a non-proliferation resolution mandating all countries in the world to put in place and implement a comprehensive legislation to strengthen controls on the export, re-export, trans-shipment and transit of goods and technologies, material and equipment related to the nuclear and biological weapons and missiles capable of delivering such weapons.
The cabinet also approved a pesticides policy to meet the long-standing demand of the farmers and to improve the agriculture sector performance. It decided that the bulk import of pesticide would be checked at the seaport to make sure availability of quality pesticides to the farming community.
The ministry of food and agriculture was directed to enforce this policy through the provincial and district governments so that quality pesticides could be provided to the growers.
The cabinet gave its approval to a summary seeking provision of facilities for the disabled in public buildings, parks and public places keeping in view their special requirements.
It also approved an agreement between Pakistan and Spain for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes and income. Besides, it approved Pakistan's accession to the treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
GWADAR INCIDENT: The cabinet expressed its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic death of three Chinese engineers at Gwadar in a car-bomb blast. Prime minister Jamali said that he had directed the provincial government to spare no effort in apprehending the criminals for awarding a severe punishment.
The prime minister said he had condoled with the Chinese prime minister and the families of the victims. The cabinet appreciated the Chinese leadership for reassuring Pakistan that the development of the deep-sea port at Gwadar would not suffer despite the terrorist attack.
The signing of an agreement for the construction of a nuclear power plant at Chashma on Tuesday was yet another manifestation of the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries, the cabinet observed.
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