ISLAMABAD, Sept 20: The cabinet on Friday approved the re-organization of the Federal Investigation Agency and assigned exclusive jurisdiction to the National Accountability Bureau to deal with the anti-corruption cases.

The meeting, presided over by President Gen Pervez Musharraf, approved that NAB would be entrusted with the FIA’s Economic Crime Wing. The Anti-Corruption Establishment will continue to function in the provinces under the supervision of the respective provincial governments.

It was decided that the officers and staff members of the FIA dealing with the anti-corruption and economic crime would be moved to NAB, and the remaining staff would be sent to the surplus pool of the Establishment Division for their absorption in other departments.

The FIA will continue to undertake the responsibilities in the fields of immigration and naturalization services, human smuggling, cyber crimes, and crimes of terrorist nature.

The cabinet approved the charter for the establishment of Air University Islamabad; Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences & Technology Karachi; and Riphah University Islamabad.

The cabinet also approved the National Maritime Policy which would focus on tapping of ocean resources falling within the exclusive economic zone of the country. Main objectives of the policy are the protection and promotion of the country’s strategic and maritime interests, and conservation of marine environment, including development of coastal zones, ports and harbours.

It further approved an ordinance which stipulates requisition of civil transport by the armed forces without formal declaration of an emergency in the country with the understanding that the compensation for hiring/requisition of civil transport would be paid expeditiously.

The cabinet approved, in principle, amendments to the Cantonment Act 1924 vis-a-vis powers of the district magistrate. The amendments would be incorporated in consultation with the National Reconstruction Bureau.

The cabinet approved the upgradation of National College of Textile Engineering, Faisalabad, to National Textile University. The university would impart specialized education at the post-graduate level in various sectors of textile, ensuring its continued development and achieving the objectives formulated under the Textile Vision, 2005.

A National Textile Education Foundation would be set up to run the university with adequate representation of the private sector in the Foundation.

Earlier, the president apprised the meeting about his recent visit to the United States where he had addressed the UN General Assembly and met President George W. Bush, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and others.

He said the US president was positive in response to Pakistan’s position on grant of visas to the Pakistani students.