The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Criminal Law Amendment (Protection of Women) Bill, 2006, in principle and constituted a five-member ministerial committee to fine-tune the changes proposed by the Law Ministry. The Cabinet meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
The committee would comprise Minister for Law Wasi Zafar and Minister for Information Muhammad Ali Durrani, Women Affairs Minister Sumaira Malik, Minister for Culture Nilofar Bakhtiar and Minister for Railways Rashid Ahmad.
Briefing the journalists about the decisions taken by the Cabinet, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said that the proposed amendments would be thoroughly examined for laying it before the National Assembly.
The main purpose of these amendments was to align the laws in accordance with the spirit and code of Islam and remove all technical hurdles in the provision of justice to the citizens.
He said that the Cabinet was also briefed by the Prime Minister on the issue of resignations of MQM Ministers and Advisors. However, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the matter would be resolved amicably. "We want the coalition to move in tandem on all issues," an official statement quoted the Prime Minister as telling the Cabinet.
Durrani said that the Prime Minister also informed the Cabinet that he had held meeting with Sindh Governor the previous night. It was decided that a meeting of coalition partners would be held on fortnightly basis.
Replying to a question, he said that President Pervez Musharraf had directed the government not to accept the resignations of MQM Ministers and advisors, which was implemented.
Answering another question, Durrani said that Sindh Governor, as representative of federal government, was involved in reconciliatory efforts to resolve the issue. He added that there was no truth in the report that the Governor has also resigned.
"A lot of speculations are hovering around, but there is no such issue which can be instrumental in brewing big problem," he said, adding that all matters would be resolved amicably in the days to come.
In reply to a question regarding return of Nawaz Sharif, Durrani said that the opposition should wait for elections rather than launching anti-government movement. "The only option available to the government and the opposition is to prepare for the general elections," he added.
He said that the opposition had projected July 31 as deadline as if there would be a ''blast'' in the political arena. But nothing happened. The opposition even has failed to ascertain who would join the no-confidence move.
"I ask the opposition leadership sitting abroad to avoid ''daily wages statements'' and wait for next general elections," he said. Regarding the Cabinet meeting proceedings he said that it condemned the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and killing of innocent people including women and children and called for immediate cessation of hostilities and cease-fire.
While expressing solidarity with the people and the government of Lebanon, the Cabinet said that the people and the government of Pakistan stood with them during this hour of trial.
The Cabinet was informed that the government had dispatched C-130 planes carrying relief goods to Lebanon, and would provide more aid as required by Lebanon. The Cabinet called upon the UN, OIC and the world community to play their role for an immediate cease-fire and restoration of peace in Lebanon.
The Cabinet observed that the world community could not stay indifferent to daily killing of innocent civilians in Lebanon. The Cabinet approved for initiation of negotiations among RCD member countries on Mutual Recognition Agreement of Co-operation in the field of standardisation and quality assurance.
Approval was also granted for initiation of negotiations to conclude an Agreement between Pakistan and Mexico for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes and income. This agreement will promote and further strengthen existing bilateral economic relations between the two countries.
The Cabinet granted permission to start negotiations in principle on draft agreement on co-operation and mutual assistance in customs matters among ECO countries.
The Cabinet approved signing of draft agreement between Pakistan and UAE on co-operation and mutual assistance in customs matters. An agreement between Pakistan and Brunei Darussalam for avoidance of double taxation was also approved.
The Cabinet agreed to grant approval, in principle, to start negotiations with Republic of Yemen on abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Ex post facto approval was granted for signing of MoU on co-operation in the fields of earthquake studies between China Earthquake Administration and Pakistan Meteorological Department. The MoU was signed during President Musharraf''s visit to China in February 2006.
The Cabinet agreed to ratification of ILO Convention 185 on seafarers identity. This is an important document for seafarers to facilitate their employment, short leave and transit leave for joining vessels abroad. Pakistan seafarers would be provided with secure identity documents.
The Cabinet also granted ex post facto approval for initiation and signing of MoU on co-operation in the development of small and medium enterprises between Pakistan and Kuwait. The MoU was signed between the two countries during the recent visit of the Amir of Kuwait to Pakistan.
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