Way cleared for IPI pipeline as Iran price accepted:
ISLAMABAD: The cabinet cleared the way on Wednesday for the gas pipeline
project with Iran by accepting price purchase formula offered by Tehran.
A cabinet meeting accepted Iran’s offer to export one billion cubic feet per day
of gas at 80 per cent of the crude oil price in the international market. A
sale-purchase agreement is likely to be signed this year.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting
Qamar Zaman Kaira said Pakistan had decided to go ahead with the gas pipeline
project in accordance with its needs without caring about ‘US pressure, that
forced India to pull out of it’.
The cabinet decided that the government would own responsibility of paying Rs31
billion outstanding against the Karachi Electric Supply Company to help its
management invest the promised amount of Rs28 billion on development projects to
increase power generation.
It approved ratification of an agreement on cooperation in the field of
transportation and transit of goods between Pakistan and Uzbekistan with the
objective to provide the latter an access for transhipment of its trade cargo to
and from Gwadar port.
The cabinet decided to set up a four-member committee to oversee Gwadar port
operations. It would also propose incentives for the proposed export processing
zone.
It ratified the Sarso accord as Pakistan is a signatory to the agreement on the
establishment of South Asian Regional Standards Organisation (Sarso) which has a
mandate to remove technical barriers to trade and to facilitate flow of goods
and services in the Saarc region.
The cabinet decided to review the Pak-Afghan transit trade agreement to
safeguard the country’s interests while facilitating the Afghan trade.
It decided to levy 25 per cent regulatory tax on export of molasses because its
production had dropped after a decline in sugarcane production.
In pursuance of the International Road Transport Agreement signed with Iran in
June last year, the cabinet gave its approval for instrument of ratification
concerning the deal.
The cabinet decided to defer approval of a new national education policy after a
couple of provinces expressed reservations.
The meeting approved negotiations on draft agreement on defence cooperation with
Hungary.
It gave its approval in principle for negotiating an MoU between the National
Defence University and Institute des Hautes Etudes de Defence National of
France.
The cabinet granted ex-post facto approval to initiation of negotiations for an
MoU on political consultations with Libya to provide a forum to take stock of
the trajectory of bilateral relations and share views on issues of mutual
interest.
Ex-post facto approval was also granted for entering into negotiations for an
extradition treaty with Libya. Approval was also granted for an MoU for
cooperation in the field of employment generation.
The cabinet also approved signing of agreements for abolition of visa for
diplomatic and official/special passport-holders with Libya, Indonesia and
Ireland.
It approved in principle a draft bill for the establishment of National
University of Law and Social Sciences at Islamabad with its campuses in
provincial capitals.
The cabinet also approved draft of Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2009,
to bring various provisions of Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance, 2007, in line
with international standards.
It approved draft Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The proposed
amendments are necessary to bring the various provisions of Anti-Money
Laundering Ordinance, 2007, in line with international standards.
The cabinet approved Pakistan’s accession to the International Convention for
the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism which requires parties to take
steps to prevent and counteract the financing of terrorism whether direct or
indirect through groups claiming to have charitable, social, or cultural goals
or which engage in illicit activities.
It granted approval to the Draft Pakistan Marine Insurance Bill, 2009 and draft
Law for Implementation of Convention of International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Convention.
