ISLAMABAD, July 12: The federal cabinet on Monday constituted a ministerial committee to prepare recommendations for making anti-terrorist laws more effective and comprehensive, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.
Briefing newsmen after the first meeting of the new cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the information minister said the meeting discussed in detail the situation in the country and took policy decisions pertaining to law and order, combating terrorism and providing facilities to the common man.
He said the cabinet also decided to award TV channel licences to 22 cross-media contenders, overruling the advice of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for an open bidding.
"By over-ruling the advice of Pemra for an open bidding, the cabinet has retained its earlier decision that subject to the code of conduct, licences will be issued to cross-media owners," the minister said. The National Assembly in its new session beginning on July 16 would amend the necessary law for the purpose, the information minister said.
The channels which have been approved for the award of licence are: Kawish TV network (Kawish), TV media network Pvt (Express), Interact Pvt (Khabrain), Sahafat Vision (Sahafat), Dolphin Media (Halchal), Asia News Network (Jinnah), General Newspapers (The Leader), Karachi, Daily Pakistan (Daily Pakistan), Qaumi Akhbar Communication (Qaumi Akhbar), Khyber Broadcasting Services (Akhbar Peshawar), Mehtab Publications (Ausaf, Islamabad), Motherhood, Pakistan's First Parenting Magazine (Motherhood Magazine), Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (Nawa-i-Waqt), Total Medial Ltd, Islamabad (World Call Group), Recorder TV Network (Business Recorder), Interact Pvt Ltd (Zia Shahid family), Sachal Satellite Communication (already holds FM radio licence), Pakistan Herald Publications (Dawn Group of Newspapers), Development Asia Company (holds an FM radio licence), Total Media Ltd (World Call Group), Independent Newspaper Corporations (Mir Shakeel of Jang Group), and Independent Media Corporation (Mir Ibrahim of Jang).
The cabinet also decided to prepare a comprehensive package for occupants of government quarters in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad (including G-6). Besides special incentives, they will be provided with alternative accommodation in order to undertake re-development in these areas, Mr Rashid said.
He said the cabinet had ratified an agreement between Pakistan and the Republic of Tajikistan for cooperation in the field of tourism. The secretary of tourism briefed the cabinet about the on-going golden jubilee celebrations of K-2 and Nanga Parbat in which more than 1300 mountaineers and trackers from the US, Canada, Italy, Germany and some Far Eastern countries are participating.
The cabinet set up a five-member committee headed by Sheikh Rashid Ahmed with Minister for Finance Shaukat Aziz, Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq, Minister for Petroleum Naraiz Shakoor and Minister for Housing and Works Safwanullah as members to discuss the 7th Wage Board Award for newspaper employees with all stakeholders and prepare a report.
The report would be submitted to the cabinet within 10 days, the minister said. "And, if the committee does not reach any conclusion the cabinet in the next meeting will give its decision on the Seventh Wage Board Award," Mr Rashid added.
The minister said the cabinet reiterated its firm commitment to the freedom of press and expressed its determination to do its utmost to create a congenial atmosphere for all the stakeholders.