The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved Kartarpur Corridor agreement signed between Pakistan and India on the codal formalities for religious visitors of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. Addressing a news conference after the cabinet meeting, Special Assistant to PM on Information & Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the Prime Minister would inaugurate the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, 2019 and added that an agreement reached between India and Pakistan with regard to codal formalities was presented to the cabinet by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was approved.
She added the federal cabinet also decided to provide Rs 5 billion interest-free loans for low-cost housing scheme. The project would be executed by Akhuwat and priority would be given to the widows, added Awan. She said the cabinet also accorded approval to proposal of armed forces for installation of solar power products at various installations and establishments of army on BoT basis.
She said that of 14-point agenda for the meeting, four agenda items could not be taken up because relevant minister was out of the country whereas an additional item was added to the agenda. The meeting began with a briefing with regard to one project introduced for the welfare of the people and Ministry of Communication stated that it would engage 35,000 people as internees in the ministry.
She said the Ministry of Narcotics Control has decided to introduce an app to create awareness and save lives from the menace of drugs. She added that Ministry of Human Rights has launched an awareness campaign to create awareness against woman abuse. On the agenda item regarding containing inflation, the meeting was informed that a pilot project is being initiated in the federal cabinet to eliminate role of middleman and develop direct linkage between farmers and consumers. She added that cabinet also decided that any information requested by the NAB would be provided by the Cabinet Division as it would ensure transparency.
She said the cabinet approved appointment of Board of Directors of Trust for Voluntary Organizations as part of its restructuring. The cabinet approved appointment of board of directors of Inter State Gas System. The cabinet also decided to appoint Arshad Ali as member at Indus River System Authority.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Law Farogh Nasim said that eight laws were approved which would provide speedy justice to the people and bring about improvement in the life of common man. He said the succession certificate will be issued within fifteen to twenty days and the process will be carried out through fingerprints.
He said the identity of the whistle blower will be kept secret and full protection will be ensured in this regard. He said if any recovery will be made, up to twenty percent of the recovered amount will be given to the whistleblower.
The meeting also approved a law to ensure speedy justice through use of the latest technology in civil and criminal proceedings. The two-tier system is being introduced so that despite a stay order from one forum, the main case must not be affected and recording of witness' statement and case proceedings must proceed. Cases with regard to women's share in the inherited property would be disposed of on speedy basis, he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019