Afghan refugees allowed to stay until 2015

Published
3

ISLAMABAD: The federal government's cabinet on Thursday decided to extend the stay of Afghan refugees in Pakistan until 2015 and also extended for ten years the quota of provinces in federal services, DawnNews reported.

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif headed a meeting of the federal government's cabinet during which a 12-point agenda was discussed.

The quota of provinces in the recruitment for federal services, which was to expire on Aug 31 this year, was extended for ten years, whereas the cabinet decided to postpone amendment in the Civil Servants Act, 1973.

During the meeting the cabinet gave assent to the recent agreements signed with China during Sharif's visit and to the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

The cabinet also approved the construction of fast track and long term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals, which included the setting up of a 1000 million cubic feet (MMCF) LNG terminal in Karachi.

Moreover speaking about the no trust motion moved against the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the Pakistan Muslim league - Nawaz (PML-N) chose not to become a party over the issue and those found in violation of the PML-N's discipline would be dealt with sternly.

Opinion

Editorial

Narrative confusion
Updated 14 Oct, 2026

Narrative confusion

The centre must say clearly how long it intends it to last, what it hopes to achieve in that time, and how the province’s elected mandate will be restored.
El Niño’s long reach
14 Oct, 2026

El Niño’s long reach

THE extraordinary El Niño gathering strength in the Pacific could make 2026 the hottest year on record, with 2027...
Deeper poverty
14 Oct, 2026

Deeper poverty

PAKISTAN’S poverty crisis is far deeper than official indicators suggest. While the government celebrates economic...
Yemen escalation
Updated 13 Oct, 2026

Yemen escalation

Such an agreement can also help bring peace to Saudi Arabia, while ending Yemen’s humanitarian nightmare.
Inequitable taxation
13 Oct, 2026

Inequitable taxation

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has once more reviewed the latest incentive scheme to bring retailers into the...
Taxila’s hidden past
13 Oct, 2026

Taxila’s hidden past

A HILL dismissed more than a century ago as an unremarkable heap of ruins has yielded one of Taxila’s most...