The Senate standing committee on Cabinet, Establishment and Management Services met in the Parliament House on Tuesday and recommended that a study should be conducted to redefine the role of the Division.
Chaired by Dr Shahzad Waseem, the meeting was given detailed briefing on the functions of Cabinet Division, which has got tremendous importance in providing relief to the masses.
The committee was informed that Printing Corporation of Pakistan presses at Karachi and Lahore would be privatised in accordance with Cabinet decision and the press at Islamabad would be used for classified work.
The committee appreciated the idea of privatisation of two printing presses and desired that the privatisation process should be accelerated. Nature and lists of documents to be privatised should be prepared before finalisation of the privatisation process, directed the chairman of the committee.
The committee, while reviewing the performance of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), suggested that public transport should be converted to CNG.
This would not only help in overcoming the economic compulsions but would also create friendly environment.
The committee was also briefed about the activities of Nepra. The committee was of the view that steps should be taken to protect consumers' rights.
The committee emphasised that 'Alternative Energy Development Board' should find out ways and means to provide electricity to the people at affordable prices in accordance with the directions of President Pervez Musharraf.
The meeting was attended by Senators Muhammad Amjad Abbas, Mouhim Khan Baloch, Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, Rehmatullah Kakar, Kamran Murtaza, Muhammad Raza Hayat Hiraj and Nisar Memon on special invitation. Cabinet Secretary and officials of Cabinet Division also attended the meeting.
Giving briefing secretary cabinet, Ejaz Rahim said that National Archives, the Departments of Communications Security and Stationary and Forms, some Autonomous Bodies, like National Language Authority, National Commission for Human Development, Alternative Energy Development Board, Printing Corporation of Pakistan, Federal Land Commission, Abandoned Properties Organisation, Emergency Relief and Awards Wing, National Documentation Centre and Shaikh Zaid Hospital have been placed under the purview of Cabinet Division.
Ejaz said that the Emergency Relief Cell of the Cabinet Division provided Rs 2235.750 million to Punjab, Rs 3915.768 million to Sindh, Rs 3846.181 million to Balochistan and Rs 1102 million to NWFP during the last five years.
This Cell provided relief assistance to foreign countries including Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq, Kosovo, India, Iran, Sri Lanka, China, Algeria and Chechnya during the said period.
He told the committee that the National Language Authority translated 53,000 pages of official documents including government rules and regulations. It also prepared and published 550 titles including 80 dictionaries and 80 textbooks to facilitate introduction of Urdu in offices, educational institutions and courts.
Regarding the performance of National Archives of Pakistan, the committee was informed that 3000 rare photographs and 1366 files having national and historic significance have been preserved which include Fatima Jinnah Papers and All India Muslim League Papers.
The chairman of the committee observed that the entire record relating to the Father of the Nation be preserved at one place in order to enable the foreign visitors/research scholars to have a knowledge of historical perspective.