The federal cabinet has ratified the decision of Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP) for issuance of National Security Certificate (NSC) for sale of KES 66.40 percent shares in K-Electric Limited to Shanghai Electric Power. A meeting of the cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ratified the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP) in its meeting held on March 30, 2018.
On March 30, a meeting of the CCoP also presided over by the Prime Minister granted approval for issuance of National Security Certificate for sale of 66.4 percent shareholding of K-Electric subject to ratification by the federal cabinet. The cabinet approved signing of the MoU between National Library of Pakistan and National Library of Cuba 'Jose Marti' for strengthening of mutual cooperation between the two libraries of Pakistan and Cuba.
An official said that federal cabinet also held discussion on presentation of budget by the present government, especially after resistance by the opposition parties that the government does not have the mandate to present next fiscal year budget 35 days before its tenure. However, it remained unclear whether any decision was taken or not. However, an official in the Finance Ministry on condition of anonymity said that soon after the cabinet meeting, Advisor to PM on Finance Miftah Ismail left for the Speaker Office to attend a meeting on the matter. The speaker National Assembly reportedly suggested to the advisor to take opposition parties in the Parliament into confidence on the issue for smooth sailing of the budget.
The cabinet also approved signing of Tripartite MoU among National Transport Research Center, Pakistan and China Highway & Transportation Society and Second Highway Consultants Company Limited, China, to conduct study on international transport technology standards and specification systems, especially in those countries along the 'Belt and Road' routes. The cabinet ratified the decisions taken by Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) in its meeting held on 04-04-2018 and the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP) in its meeting held on 30-03-2018.
The cabinet approved appointment of Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali as Chairman Pakistan Ordnance Factories Board (POFB). Approval was accorded to Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development to grant licenses to 54 overseas employment promoters, as recommended by Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE). Appointment of Dr Khawar Siddiquie Khokhar as director general National Institute of Electronics (NIE), Islamabad was also approved.