• PM orders probe into failure of track and trace system in tobacco, cement, sugar and fertiliser sectors • Several firms interested in PIA, cabinet told
• Special court in Makran approved to deal with anti-narcotics cases

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Friday approved the extension of validity of Proof of Regis­tration (POR) cards of Afghan refugees from April 1 to June 30 this year.

A meeting of the cabinet, presided by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was told that with this exte­nsion, recommended by the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, POR cardholders will be able to avail education, bank acco­unts and other facilities in Pakistan.

POR cardholders will be repatriated in the third phase of the programme of repatriating illegal foreign nationals. Meanwhile, the meeting was told that the first phase of repatriating the foreign residents living in Pakistan without any identity documents is in progress.

The PM said elements involved in the deep-rooted menace of corruption and criminal negligence for denting the national economy would be held accountable.

Referring to the track and trace system agreement made in 2019, the prime minister said this system was nothing but a cruel joke to the nation as no improvement was seen in the sectors of tobacco, cement, sugar and fertiliser.

The agreement (signed between the government and these industries to monitor production and sales) is totally a fraud as it does not even include a penalty clause in it, he added.

The PM ordered formation of an inquiry committee to ascertain the failure of the agreement and submission of its report within 72 hours.

As regards the macroeconomic indicators, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the collective performance of both the incumbent and interim governments. “According to a recently published report on Pakistan economy, many indicators, including IT export, remittances and capital market, are showing positive results due to the prudent policies of the government,” he added.

“However, a lot of work needs to be done,” he said, adding that the government will perform “major surgical operation” to get rid of deep-rooted flaws in the country’s economy.

Power theft, FBR reforms

PM Shehbaz told the meeting that he had completed the power sector review in four phases in which important decisions were taken to minimise power theft and line losses, and to reduce prices of electricity. “The government also decided in principle to divest the electricity distribution companies (Discos),” he added.

The PM said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had old and obsolete systems which needed to be replaced to increase tax-to-GDP ratio. He said the FBR had the potential to earn extra revenues worth hundreds of billions of rupees by implementing reforms in its system. “We have to take tough decision in larger interest of the country and we will fully monitor the implementation phase,” he remarked.

PIA privatisation

About the privatisation of state-owned entities (SOEs), the prime minister assured the meeting that the process would be done without any delay and in a transparent manner.

The PM was informed that the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was on track and several companies were taking keen interest in the airlines.

The privatisation secretary, while briefing the cabinet on the recent progress in PIA’s privatisation process, said the advertisements inviting expressions of interest were published in national and international newspapers on April 2, with the last date being May 3, and so far several companies had expressed keen interest in PIA.

The aviation secretary informed the meeting that service counters at the airports had been increased and further improvement of the facilities was in progress.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice, the cabinet approved the establishment of an additional special court in Makran division to deal with anti-narcotics cases in Balochistan. The jurisdiction of this court will be extended to Panjgur, Kech, Gwadar, Hub and Lasbela districts.

The cabinet directed that judges of good repute be appointed in the special court and the prosecution process be made more effective.

The meeting was told that the consultation with all stakeholders regarding a policy for use of drone technology in the agriculture sector was in final stages and it will soon be presented to the cabinet for approval.

The cabinet also approved the appointment of four ex-officio members of the Board of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP).

Carbon credits

Meanwhile, chairing the third meeting of Pakistan Council for Climate Change, PM Sharif ordered formation of a committee for consultation with the provinces for policy making on guiding principles for carbon credits.

“Our challenges regarding climate change are increasing with every passing day,” he said, adding without the consultation with the provinces, there was no question of policy making of any kind on the issue.

The participants discussed in detail policy guidelines for foreign trading in carbon credits.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024