ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi presided over a meeting of his cabinet on Tuesday, which made decisions related to provision of gas to people, fixing of maximum price of life-saving drugs, relaxation of duties and taxes on international funds for eradication of fatal diseases, and broadening of the tax net.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif briefed the cabinet on US President Donald Trump’s address to his nation, and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar gave a briefing on broadening of the tax base.

The meeting exempted from payment of taxes, duties and levies etc grants received from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and approved maximum retail prices of life-saving drugs. The health ministry was tasked with ensuring availability of quality life-saving drugs at reasonable rates in line with the National Drug Policy.

The cabinet decided to launch projects for providing gas to far flung areas, subject to availability of funds.

The cabinet ratified the appointment of the chief executive officer of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited for a probationary period of 90 days with a two-year contract, and directed the Aviation Division secretary to ensure the submission of a business plan for profitability of the national flag carrier within 60 days of the appointment of new chief executive officer.

Furthermore, the cabinet also approved the initiation of negotiations on an inter-governmental agreement between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and the government of Nigeria on cooperation in the field of oil and gas.

The cabinet also decided to increase the number of members of the Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan from five to seven.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017