ISLAMABAD – The Federal cabinet has approved export of locally manufacturedpersonal protective equipments, including sanitizers and other things.
The cabinet granted this approval in its meeting held in Islamabad todaywith Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.
The meeting also decided that a committee comprising members fromministries of commerce, health, industrial production and science andtechnologies will be authorized to ban export of any particular itemkeeping in view domestic needs of the country.
The Federal Cabinet also emphasized on creating public awareness tostrictly observe standard operating procedures issued by the government toprevent spread of Coronavirus.
It expressed satisfaction over increasing number of laboratories for Coronatests from two to one hundred. The cabinet was informed that testingcapacity has been enhanced to 32,000 tests per day, which was just fourhundred tests at the initial stage.
The meeting also expressed satisfaction over the working of ResourceManagement System for effective utilization of available resources andhealth facilities in the country.
The cabinet was informed on the latest situation of locust in the countryand steps taken in this regard.
It appreciated the role of Pakistan Army National Disaster ManagementAuthority, Chinese Government and other national and internationalorganizations for the eradication of locust.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said all available resources will be provided tocurb locust and emphasized on finding some out of the box solution to thisproblem.
The cabinet was apprised that Asian Development Bank has appreciatedPakistan’s strategy and steps taken for poverty alleviation and protectingweaker segments of society from negative impacts of Coronavirus pandemic.
Appreciating government’s decision of reducing oil prices in the country,the cabinet decided that benefits of this relief should be passed on to themasses.
Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr SaniaNishtar briefed the meeting about distribution of Prime Minister’s ReliefFund among the deserving families.
The meeting was also informed that foreign remittances worth 18.8 billiondollars were received during the current fiscal year, while country’sforeign exchange reserves were recorded at 18.7 billion dollars till theend of April this year.
It was said that current account deficit during the current fiscal yearremained at 3.3 billion dollars, which is 1.5 percent of GDP.
This deficit was at 11.4 billion dollars during last fiscal year, which was4.7 percent of the GDP.
Exports were recorded at 16.4 billion dollars, while imports stood at 19.7billion dollars showing a service trade balance of 2.6 billion dollars.
Regarding investment in the country, the cabinet was apprised that a totalof 1.864 billion dollars were invested during the current fiscal year,while it was just 403 million dollars last year. Policy rate was slashedfrom13.25 to eight percent.
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The cabinet was also briefed on future strategy regarding sugar inquiryreport.
The Prime Minister said that the purpose of the inquiry was to revealfacts, which caused surge in sugar prices affecting the common people ofPakistan.
He said, keeping in view the inquiry report, steps will be taken to rectifyweaknesses of the prevailing system.
The meeting decided that an inter-ministerial committee will be constitutedto review various aspects in light of the findings of the inquiry report.
The committee will be mandated to give recommendations for comprehensivereforms to fill the loopholes.
Imran Khan directed that such steps are aimed at protecting common man fromexploitation through unnecessary burden of price hike.
The cabinet was given a detailed briefing over wheat procurement andestimates of demand and supply of the commodity.
It was decided to form a high level committee to maintain balance betweendemand and supply so that there will be no shortage of wheat and flour inany part of the country.
The committee, in collaboration with flour mills, will give itsrecommendations in this regard.
Turning to another issue, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed secretaryinterior to present recommendations of the task force to curb smuggling.
The Prime Minister also expressed grief over the loss of precious humanlives in PIA plane crash incident and said that we stand by the bereavedfamilies in this hour of sorrow.
Regarding governments efforts to revamp economy, the Prime Minister saidthat process of economic stability and reforms will continue without anyinterruption.
He directed the cabinet members to reduce unnecessary expenditure in theirrespective departments and ministries keeping in view current economicsituation.
He also emphasized on giving special focus on expediting the process ofreforms and improving performance of government.
