05 August 2004	Thursday	18 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved a scheme to streamline the government's visa policy with a view to stopping 'unscrupulous elements' from entering Pakistan.

The cabinet meeting, held with Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in the chair, directed that while granting visas, Pakistani missions abroad must exercise utmost vigilance to keep 'unwanted' men out.

According to the decision, visas will be issued to applicants in the country of origin or only to legal residents. People seeking visa in a third country will get it at the level of high commissioner or ambassador.

A handout issued after the cabinet meeting said the measure would not discourage in any way genuine investors coming to Pakistan. While discussing the seed cotton (phutti) situation, the cabinet approved that the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) would provide an institutional framework for the implementation of the cotton support price (CSP).

Under the decision, the TCP will purchase 100,00 bales of cotton for which adequate credit line will be ensured by the Ministry of Finance. The credit line could be increased if market forces so demanded.

The cabinet has already approved an enhanced support price of seed cotton at Rs925 per 40kg for the year 2004-05 season. The cabinet decided that handicapped persons, including the visually impaired, will be eligible to appear in competitive exams conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission for recruitment in selected services groups, including higher ex-cadre posts.

It reiterated that the 2 per cent quota for the disabled would be implemented for recruitment in grades 1 to 15. The cabinet approved in principle to sign an MoU on managed immigration between Pakistan and the UK once its modalities were worked out by the cabinet committee.

It ratified the third generation agreement between Pakistan and the European Union which would open up new avenues of trade and commerce resulting in billions of dollars of exports from Pakistan.

The cabinet also approved to conduct negotiations with the UK and Turkey for defence equipment cooperation and collaboration in defence, research, technology and production. It also approved initiation of talks with Saudi Arabia, and ratified the convention for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.