The federal cabinet has approved a new Civil Aviation Policy, stating that it would prove catalyst for promoting tourism and investment and give boost to aviation industry in the country.
Addressing a news conference after the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry stated that the federal government welcomes Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds and added that decision is exactly what the federal government had been offering to the former premier for treatment. He said that former premier has been allowed bail for getting treatment at hospital of his own choice within the country and not from aboard. He said Nawaz Sharif can go abroad by availing the option of plea bargain in the NAB law.
Replying to questions about Financial Action Task Force's APG team and International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission chief in the country, the minister stated that Pakistan will be able to meet the recommendations of FATF by September.
He added that a report would be submitted on April 15 which would be followed by two meetings of the FATF, one in May 2019 and the other in September. "We are making efforts and taking measures to ensure compliance with the FATF recommendations by September 2019." The minister said that things are progressing positively with the IMF.
He said that Prime Minister Khan convened a meeting to review the economic situation the other day and a coordination team was constituted with the task to adopt a coordinated approach on the economic matters between the federal government and provincial governments (where PTI is in power).
The minister said that counters of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) are being increased three times at Islamabad Airport to facilitate those being issued visas on arrival. The federal government would approach the Supreme Court against Lahore High Court decision that ordered to remove Shehbaz Sharif's name from the Exit Control List (ECL), he added.
The minister said that travelling to the tourist resorts of Pakistan will be facilitated by reducing expenditures and through relief in taxes of around Rs 4 billion and in accordance with their business plan, it would increase their revenue by Rs 12 billion.
The minister stated that the cabinet decided to review agreements with all international airlines. He said women will be encouraged to become pilots and Civil Aviation Authority will contribute up to four hundred thousand rupees in fee for the purpose. He said the duration of licence of pilots has been increased to five years.
He said a new visa regime has already been introduced that aims at promoting tourism and investment in the country and under the policy nationals of 58 countries can get visa on arrival, while nationals of 170 countries will be given e-visa facility. He said that this facility will not be available to the Indian citizens.
Chaudhry said that cabinet decided to lift ban on high-rise buildings in Islamabad and any builder who wants to construct skyscrapers in the federal cabinet will not have to obtain permission from CDA or Civil Aviation Authority.
The cabinet also approved Rs 2 billion Ramzan package to provide relief to people during the holy month, besides deciding to extend Lahore-Delhi Bus Service for another five years to facilitate the divided families.
Speaking about the Kartarpur Corridor, the minister informed media persons that the corridor will be opened for the Sikh community in November this year. He said in order to ensure the required arrangements in place and facilitate the Sikh pilgrims, a new 10-member Pakistan Gurdawar Parbandhak Committee has been constituted. To another question about opening of Sharda Temple corridor in Azad Kashmir, the minister said, "We are waiting for Indian election."
Meanwhile, a handout issued by the Prime Minister Office stated that the Cabinet approved re-constitution of Board of Karachi Infrastructure Development Company (KIDCL) and granted approval to the nomination of the following members on Board of Administrators of Export Development Fund (EDF) for one year; (i) Muhammad Ali Tabba, (ii) Safdar Hussain Mehkri, (iii) Zahid Saeed, (iv) Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to PM on Commerce, (v) Ijaz A Khokhar, (vi) Jawad Bilwani, (vii) Almas Hyder, (viii) and Mian Shaiq Javed
The cabinet approved extension in agreement of Lahore-Delhi Bus Service (LDBS) for a further period of five years i.e. up to 17.02.2024. The cabinet approved appointment of Shaista Bano Gillani and Bushra Naz Malik as members of Competition Commission of Pakistan for a period of three years. The cabinet approved appointment of Wajid Ali, District & Sessions Judge (BS-21), as Judge, Banking Court Islamabad.
The cabinet approved re-constitution of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC). The following have been appointed as members of the committee; Sardar Bishan Singh, Sardar Kuljit Singh, Sardar Maninder Singh, Sardar Gopal Singh Chawla, Sardar Mahinder Pall Singh, Sahib Sahib Singh, Sardar Santok Singh, Sardar Shamsher Singh, Sardar Taru Singh, Sardar Bahagat Singh, while ex-officio members would include chairman ETPB, joint secretary M/o RA&IH and additional secretary (shrines), Evacuee Trust Property Board. The cabinet approved reappointment of Dr Muhammad Iqbal and Dr Syed Muhammad Arif as members governing council of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the handout concluded.
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