Cabinet approves country’s first National Cyber Security Policy. Cabinet approves Government Advertisement Policy 2021
Cabinet approved the setting up of a high level Threat Assessment Committee.
ISLAMABAD ( ABRAR MUSTAFA )
On the arrival of the Prime Minister, cabinet members welcomed the Prime Minister by thumping the desks and congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan on significant victory of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in azad kashmir elections. The success of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Azad Kashmir elections is a clear manifestation of the confidence of the people of Azad Kashmir in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision and policies of the present government. * The Cabinet was briefed on the expenditure incurred in liei of security on political leaders including Chief Ministers, Ministers, Advisors & Special Assistants, Judges, former Presidents & Prime Ministers and government figures in the Federal Capital, Punjab Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The Cabinet was informed that 762 police personnel, 14 Rangers and 50 FC officers are deployed by the Federal Capital Police on the security of the President, Prime Minister, Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers of State, Advisors and Special Assistants with a total expenditure of 700.98 million per annum. The security of Judges is manned by 377 policemen, 24 Rangers and 8 FC personnel with an annual expenditure of Rs 287.368 million. Similarly, a total of 106 policemen, 4 Rangers, 47 FC personnel are deployed on the security of government figures with an expenditure of Rs 109.7 million. Thus, the total expenditure is Rs. 1098.08 million per annum. The annual cost of providing security to the Prime Minister, Governor, Chief Minister by Punjab Police is Rs. 446.86 million. Rs 105.87 million for providing security to former Chief Ministers, Federal and Provincial Ministers and Advisors & Special Assistants, Rs. 1143.17 million for providing security to Judges and Rs. 833.616 million per annum for providing security to government figures. Thus, the total expenditure is Rs. 2529.5 million per annum. The annual expenditure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in provision of security is about Rs. 998.34 million. The Prime Minister said that the government’s primary responsibility is to protect the taxpayers’ money. “The people should have confidence that their tax money is being used properly,” he said. The Cabinet decided that security would be provided on the basis of valid reasons and not as a status symbol. In this regard, the Cabinet approved the setting up of a high level Threat Assessment Committee. The Prime Minister directed that a detailed briefing be given in the next meeting on setting standards for the provision of security. Agenda No:01 Federal Cabinet briefed on progress made so far on electronic voting machines and voting rights for Pakistani diaspora. The Federal Minister for Science and Technology and Adviser Parliamentary Affairs briefed the Cabinet on the progress made so far. The Prime Minister emphasized that in order to fully address any reservations about election process, it is necessary to ensure the use of technology in the voting rights process. Referring to the opposition’s meaningless criticism of the Azad Kashmir elections, the Cabinet noted that the use of technology would help ensure that no objection could be raised to the election process in future. Agenda No:02 The agenda for the briefing on removal of encroachments in the federal capital was postponed. Agenda No:03 In view of the government approvals required for starting business and business activities in the country, Official approvals NOCs and other regulations and the consequent difficulties faced by the business community, especially those who launch new businesses, the Cabinet has taken a major decision and empowered the Investment Board to remove the obsolete rules and conditions regarding facilitating the business process and to issue the proposed legislative process. It should be noted that ease of doing business is among the top priority of the current government. And in this regard, Pakistan has achieved considerable success in the current tenure. Agenda No:04 Cabinet approves new framework and strategy on investment agreements with Foreign Countries of Pakistan. Regarding Pakistan’s bilateral agreements on investment from foreign countries, the Cabinet was informed that so far 53 agreements have been signed by Pakistan with 48 countries regarding investment. The Cabinet was informed that these agreements were considered of key importance in terms of overseas investment and investor facilitation. Pakistan is among the top countries in this regard who founded bilateral investment agreements. Pakistan’s first agreement on bilateral investment was signed with Germany in 1959. The Cabinet was told that since these agreements were settled on the basis of standard terms, with changing times, these agreements led to various conflicts and sometimes some cases reached the world courts. Cabinet approves following proposals to ensure that bilateral investment agreements are made beneficial for the country * Sixteen agreements are such which have not been ratified so far and no further progress should be made regarding them. * Twenty-three (23) agreements that have completed their term should be terminated, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was directed to take the countries concerned into confidence and bring these issues to a logical conclusion. * Nine such agreements which are still in place should be discussed with the countries concerned to settle the issues amicably. * The Cabinet was also briefed on the new Template prepared by the Investment Board in consultation with the Ministry of Law, Head of the International Investment Dispute Unit and the Attorney General’s Office on bilateral investment at the international level under which issues regarding future investment with the outside world will be sorted out. * Cabinet directed that a comprehensive framework be formulated to protect the country from any financial loss as a result of future investment disputes * The Cabinet directed Investment Board to formulate a comprehensive strategy in consultation with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Commerce, Ministry of Law, International Investment Dispute Settlement Unit of Attorney General of Pakistan, National Security Division and other stakeholders regarding investment related dispute resolution. Agenda No: 5 Cabinet allows Pakistan Red Crescent Society to import five ambulances from Japan. The ambulances have been donated by the Society for Promotion of Japan Diplomacy Tokyo, a Japanese government body. Agenda No. 06 The Interior Secretary informed the Cabinet about the court’s order in a writ petition filed in the Islamabad High Court regarding development in sector E-11. The Cabinet approved the setting up of a committee to look into the issues along with directions to the CDA to ensure implementation of the court’s decision which will make its recommendations within two weeks. Agenda No. 07 The agenda for considering the UAE government’s request for the extradition of a Pakistani national named Naseem Hussain was postponed Agenda No. 08 Similarly, the UAE government’s request for extradition of a Pakistani national named Ghulam Shabir was also postponed Agenda No: 09 The Cabinet approved the inclusion of Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018 and Prevention of Trafficking in Person Act 2018 in the FIA Act, 1974 scheduled to make FIA’s jurisdiction more effective in the prevention of human trafficking. Agenda No. 10 Cabinet approves proposal to have dual citizenship with Czech Republic. Agenda No. 11 Cabinet approves country’s first National Cyber Security Policy. Agenda No. 12 Cabinet approves Government Advertisement Policy 2021. Agenda No. 13 Cabinet approves appointment of Commander Rahat Ahmed Awan, Tamgha e Imtiaz (Military) as Managing Director Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority Karachi. Agenda No. 14 The Cabinet discussed the appointment of board of governors of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. Agenda No. 15 Chief Statistician posting agenda postponed Agenda No. 16 Cabinet approves appointment of four members to the Board of Governors of Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan. The members include Moin Raza Khan, Syed Farasat Shah, Dr Abdullah Malik and Shahid Saleem Khan. Agenda No. 17 The Cabinet approved to give temporary charge of GENCO Holding Company Limited to Ahmed Timur Nasir, Director and Member GHCL Board of Directors till the appointment of Permanent Chief Executive. Agenda No.:18 Cabinet approves appointment of Board of Directors of Genco Holding Company Agenda No:19 The decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Energy in its meeting held on 15th July, 2021 were ratified. Agenda No. 20 The Cabinet ratified the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee in its meeting held on July 16, 2021. In these decisions Release of NGMS (Next Generation Mobile Services) Spectrum in Pakistan for Imporvment of Mobile Broadband Services amid COVID-19 Release of NGMS (Next Generation Mobile Services) Spectrum in AJ&K for Imporvment of Mobile Broadband Services amid COVID-19 There are important decisions. Agenda: Cabinet decides that sale tax on sugar will be levied at EX-Mill price till November 30, 2021 to check increasing sugar prices. * Cabinet was briefed on the situation of spread of the COVID-19. The Cabinet directed that SOEs to ensure vaccination of their employees.