ISLAMABAD, June 26: A meeting of the federal cabinet is being held here on Wednesday to approve some protocols and ratify agreements with various countries. The political situation in the country will also come under discussion.

However, a bill on provincial autonomy is not expected to be placed before the cabinet.

Issues like the worsening law and order situation, especially in the NWFP and tribal areas, and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s ongoing contacts with the opposition on a code of conduct for the elections were also likely to be discussed, sources said.

Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Salim Saifullah Khan told Dawn that a constitutional package on provincial autonomy, which had been submitted to the Pakistan Muslim League president and chairman of the parliamentary committee on Balochistan, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, would be taken up after its approval by the prime minister.

In reply to a question about the requirement of two-thirds majority for passing the bill, he said it would be the duty of everyone, including the opposition, to support the legislation in the interest of the provinces.

“We have done our work and it is now up to the government to ensure that the legislation is passed before the tenure of the present assemblies expires,” he added.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi told reporters that the government would fulfil its obligation of working with the opposition parties to work out a consensus on the provincial autonomy bill.