ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet, which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (today), will discuss the situation in Afghanistan including its financial woes and possibility of refugees' influx, in addition to country's current economic, political and Covid-19 situation.
To be presided over by the Prime Minister, Imran Khan, the Cabinet will approve reduction of wet and dry port charges by 50% at Port Qasim Authority in order to facilitate exporters and enhance the quantum of exports.
The Cabinet Committee on Transportation and Logistics (CCoTL), headed by Minister for Maritime Affairs accorded approval of reduction in charges last week.
The Committee also issued directions to Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to seek legal opinion on the Supreme Court Judgement relating to the stoppage of Coal handling. KPT was directed to explore the possibility to develop coal handling facilities on international standards. Aviation Division was asked to urgently conduct a comparative study of air freight charges against sea freight and submit before the CcoTL for consideration.
The CCoTL unanimously directed Petroleum Division to place the matter of deemed duty before the CCoE in its next meeting with yearly break-up of duty collected by each refinery and its utilization since its inception. The CCoTL unanimously recommended that the Petroleum Division must carry out an audit of the deemed duty collected by Petroleum Refineries for their upgrading and utilization.
The Cabinet will also ratify the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet. The issues related to import of sugar and wheat will come under discussion.
The Cabinet will approve appointment of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Expo Centre, in addition to one time exemption on import of two wind power cranes for wind power projects.
The performance of government commercial enterprise will be presented to the Federal Cabinet.
Legislation about Ruet Halal Committee is also on the agenda of Federal Cabinet. In addition nomination of members of Pakistan Council for Tibb is also on the agenda. Ministry of Interior will brief the Cabinet about the tour of Cricket team of New Zealand.
The Cabinet will accord approval of Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) and Golden Handshake Scheme of Pakistan Medical Commission's employees. The Cabinet will also approve formulation of Joint Security Commission between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021