Islamabad: The Federal cabinet has approved proposal of India as Most Favourite Nation (MFN) for bilateral trades. The cabinet also suggested increasing trade volume with neighbor country and agreed trade volume from 2.6 dollar billion to 6 dollar billion. This cabinet meeting was presiding by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani while Federal Minister of Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim briefed cabinet about trade between Pakistan and India.
The federal cabinet also offered fatiha for Begum Nusrat Bhutto. Cabinet also discussed on Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package, according to cabinet statement, almost 80 percent work has accomplished in this package.
According to SANA the Federal Cabinet has approved for neighboring India status of Most Favorite Nation (MFN) for bilateral trade. The cabinet also directed to boost trade ties with the neighboring country, meanwhile Prime Minister has directed that the heirs of Akbar Khan Bugti be contacted to ascertain whether they want Supreme Court Commission or it is fine with the High Court Commission.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani presided over the federal cabinet meeting here on Wednesday.
The Cabinet was informed that out of total 27 resolutions of Balochistan Assembly 20 have been implemented while seven are in the process.
It was also informed that construction of cantonments has been stopped at Kohlu and Sui and the Army has been replaced by FC, adding that placement of FC under Chief Minister is being considered.
Cabinet approved that coast guards should confine to their duties and custom responsibilities from them have been withdrawn.
The Prime Minister directed that the heirs of Akbar Khan Bugti be contacted to ascertain whether they want Supreme Court Commission or it is fine with the High Court Commission.
The Cabinet was informed that judicial inquiry into allotment of Gawadar Land has been implemented, adding that special quota of 1200 scholarship and HEC allocated 600 additional scholarships for Balochi youth.
Cabinet was informed that rationalization of royalty and gas development charge has been amicably settled Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan and appointments in Gawadar port in Bs-1 to 16 have been undertaken from locals, adding that sout of 40 contracts 25 have been awarded to locals contractors in Gawadar.
It was informed during briefing that two fishing jetties at Gawadar are near to its completion; meanwhile PM directed the provincial government to expedite the completion process.
It was also informed that development package for Sui and Dera Bugti Rs. 4 billion have been implemented, adding that 6 % Balochistan quota total 6381 posts in which 1934 have been filled while the rest are in the process and government has relaxed qualification of age and height for Baloch youths in recruitments in coast guard.
The Cabinet was informed that as result of 7th NFC Award Financial resources of Balochistan has increased from Rs. 43 billion in 2009 to Rs. 108 billion in 2011-12 and 665 political prisoners have been released.
The Prime Minister said that we are prepared to talk to political dissident to bring them in the main stream. Governor and Chief Minister Balochistan and Ministers were asked to get in touch with them to bring them to the political process.
Meeting was briefed by Federal Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim over Pak-India bilateral trade links. Makhdoom Amin Fahim took the cabinet in confidence over his recent visit to India.
The federal cabinet directed the concerned authorities to take up measures to boost trade volume with India and approved Pak India trade agreement.
Meantime, the Fateha Khawni was held for Begum Nusrat Bhutto and cabinet lauded her services for democracy as incomparable; meanwhile the cabinet termed the announcement of government for awarding the title of “Mother of Democracy” and Nishan-e-Imtiaza to Nusrat Bhutto as satisfactory.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also informed the cabinet about the details of his visit to Perth for attending the summit of common wealth and his meetings with different leaders.
The Prime Minister also informed the cabinet regarding the meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization; meanwhile the cabined was briefed about the implementation of Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan and told that more than 61 steps had been taken and 80 percent of the package was implemented.
Later, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Aashiq Awan while briefing media about the decision held in the meeting of federal cabinet said that trade is already going on between Indian held Kashmir and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and dialogues were held among them for friendship.
She said that those who have reservations over Pak-India trade are trading with India, adding that trade and issue of Kashmir are separate matters and fighting for the cause of Kashmir is our responsibility; meanwhile she quoted that China has not stopped his trade with India on the issue of Tibet crises and we cannot live separately. The approval of MFN status for India has been given in interest of the country, and to make the illegal trade as legal. these steps are not against the philosophy of Quaid-e-Azam, she added.
Replying to a question, she said when the government would receive the orders of court as declaration of former President Pervaiz Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz as absconder we would implement the court orders.
She said that the federal cabinet is protecting the rights of masses, adding that passing statements on media against MFN status just for point scoring are not justified.