The federal cabinet, which met here on Wednesday with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the chair, approved the proposed purchase of the latest surveillance aircraft, Awacs, for Pakistan Air Force (PAF) from Sweden.
The cabinet was informed by the representatives of Defence Production Division that Pakistan lacked in reliable early-warning-system for the surveillance of its air space.
In order to safeguard the air defence of the country, it was deemed necessary to have the latest airborne Early Warning System (EWS) for the PAF, fitted with state-of-the-art technology.
The cabinet accorded a go ahead to the ministry of defence production for the proposed purchase of aircraft. The Prime Minister and federal cabinet congratulated and thanked China for its valuable support and co-operation in building F-17 thunder fighter aircraft in PAC Kamra.
The proposed National Plan of Action for Children brought up by the ministry of social welfare and special education was also approved.
This plan aims at making the country a children-friendly state by implementing children-related international and regional commitments, leading to tangible development in the fields of survival, protection, development and their participation in variety of nation-building activities.
Subsequent to the cabinet approval, the activities envisaged under the plan would be carried out by the relevant ministries under PSDP over next 10 years ie 2006-2016. Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi briefed the cabinet on the situation of water and electricity.
He said that because of recent rains and rise in temperature in Northern Areas, there was about three million acre feet of water available in the country which was sufficient for not only to meet the requirements of forthcoming Kharif crop but also to cater to the high demand of electricity during the summer season.
The Prime Minister observed that public complaints of load shedding must be addressed expeditiously. Jatoi said that a centre has been set up in his office to especially respond to the complaints in this regard efficiently.
The cabinet was briefed on the latest developments on Afghanistan by Foreign Secretary. During the discussion, Shaukat Aziz observed that strong and stable Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and that Pakistan had always supported and worked for establishment of peace in its neighbourhood.
While showing concern on drug trafficking and gunrunning from Afghanistan side, the cabinet desired that greater understanding and communication be established with Kabul to manage this problem. It was decided that frequent and regular communication must be developed on the operational side to ensure better understanding and co-ordination.
The cabinet was given a briefing on the status of work on under-construction Gwadar and Islamabad airports. The Prime Minister said that Gwadar should be an 'open sky airport' and directed that work on Islamabad airport must be accelerated.
Taking note of the complaints of members of the cabinet pertaining to long wait on the immigration counters and inadequate facilities, Shaukat Aziz directed Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to extend the space and improve in working at immigration counters so as to provide early disposal to passengers, especially overseas Pakistanis. He also directed that high maintenance and cleanliness standards be maintained at airport lounges for facilitation of passengers.
The cabinet also discussed export of mangos and oranges/Kinoos. The Prime Minister said that the necessary infrastructure in this context must be developed quickly, adding that Multan needs to be branded as "Mango City" around the world.
After some discussion, an inter-ministerial committee comprising three members was established by the cabinet to chalk out short- and long-term recommendations for boosting fruits export. The committee has been asked to finalise its recommendations before the next cabinet meeting.
The cabinet ratified conventions between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and Jordan for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect of taxes on income.
An agreement already existing between Pakistan and Ireland was revised for avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
Enhanced interaction with developed economy like Ireland will revitalise Pakistan's economic activities with a boost in its exports, the cabinet noted.
The cabinet also approved the initiation of negotiations with Syria for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and gave ex-post facto approval for signing of trade agreement between Pakistan and Algeria.
An ex-facto approval of memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministries of Communication of Pakistan and China for upgradation of Karakoram Highway was also given.
The MoU envisages establishment of joint working group for technical studies on KKH and submission of report from both the sides on specific technical standards. The Chinese side has allocated $327 million for the project. As a result, the highway from Mansehra to Khunjrab will be converted into an all-weather road.
The cabinet approved the signing of an agreement with Egypt on the abolition of visa for the nationals of the two countries holding diplomatic and official passports.
In order to further strengthen long-standing brotherly and historic links of culture and geographical proximity with Kyrgyzstan, the cabinet approved to initiate the process of establishing sister-city relations between Bishkek and Quetta.
The ex-post facto approval of agreement for establishment of Pak-Brunei Joint Investment Company was also given. The authorised capital of the company will be $25 million.
The cabinet ratified Montreal Convention, which aims at setting a modern standard of international best practices that is being followed by the government of Pakistan in line with the WTO "Singapore Issue" on trade facilitation. The cabinet also approved the signing of agreement for co-operation in agriculture with Vietnam.
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