ISLAMABAD, May 25: The federal cabinet on Wednesday decided to provide maximum relief to the common man and the salaried class by enhancing pay and perks as recommended by the pay and pension committee. The cabinet met here with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the chair and discussed proposals for the 2005-06 budget which would be presented in the National Assembly on June 6.

It noted that the country had attained sufficient economic growth and its benefits should be passed on to the common man through certain measures.

The cabinet approved a law to implement the national gender reforms action plan for empowerment of women and ensure their rightful role in accordance with national values and cultural set-up of society.

It deliberated on ways and means to overcome the problems of rising prices of essential commodities and the growing unemployment, especially among the educated youth.

The cabinet, in order to sanction the telecom deregulation policy and cellular policy, approved amendments in the Pakistan Telecommunications Reorganisation Act 1996.

These amendments are meant to protect the consumer right and benefit people by regulating the telecommunication sector which has grown manifold and attracted $2 billion of foreign investment.

Amendments in the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance 2002 were approved to expedite trial and prosecution of human smugglers.

The cabinet approved section 36 of the Capital Development Authority Ordinance 1960 enhancing the time allowed for filing of an appeal against the compensation for acquisition of land, from 15 days to 30 days.

It ratified the Preferential Trade Agreements between Pakistan and Iran which would ensure Pakistani products’ access to that country.

The cabinet gave approval to the establishment of a joint economic commission with Bosnia Herzegovina, ratified agreement signed between Pakistan and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources and decided to hold negotiations with Uzbekistan for an accord on cooperation in youth sphere and to support small and private entrepreneurship. It resolved to initiate talks for a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Pakistan and Sudan.

The cabinet accorded permission to enter into negotiations for signing of an MoU between the Gulf Medical College, UAE, and the Shaikh Sayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore.

The prime minister informed the cabinet about his recent visit to four Asean countries.

The cabinet noted that the visit had provided an opportunity to project Pakistan’s point of view on different issues like Pakistan-India relations, Kashmir dispute, etc.

The cabinet acknowledged Malaysian response to Islamabad’s request and noted that the process to recruit thousands of Pakistanis in Malaysia had already started.