ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet which met under the chairmanship of PrimeMinister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over thepower situation and resolved to provide uninterrupted power to theconsumers during the upcoming summer season and Ramzan.
The meeting also appreciated the efforts of the incumbent as well as formerMinister for Power for addressing sectoral issues relating to power. It wasemphasized during the meeting to lay greater focus on addressingadministrative and management issues viz-a-viz transmission, distributionand recovery of power dues.Secretary Power Division briefed the cabinet on projections of electricitydemand and supply; and the available generation capacity for catering tothe power requirements during the summer season particularly during Ramzan.
It was informed that additional power would be added to the national gridfrom Tarbela-IV and Neelum-Jhelum Hydro-power projects during next monthswhich would further augment the existing generation capacity. The meetingwas also briefed about the current load-management plan.
The prime minister stated that as a result of untiring efforts of thegovernment power generationhad significantly increased since 2013. He said that provision ofuninterrupted power supply had remained the priority of the presentgovernment in order to meet domestic, commercial and industrialrequirements.In order to discourage cigarette smoking, the cabinet approved banning ofsale of loose cigarettes by amending the “Prohibition of Sale of Cigarettesto Minors Rules, 2010.
The federal cabinet accorded approval for signing of Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) between the Governments of Somalia and Government ofPakistan for Rendering NADRA’s Services to SomaliaApproval was granted to initiate legislation on Geographical IndicationsProtection Bill, 2017.
Geographical Indications (GIs) is a form of intellectual property rightswhich identifies a product originating from a specific area, whose qualityor reputation is attributable to its place of origin. Possible GIs forPakistan can include Basmati Rice, Ajrak and Pashmina shawls, PeshawariChappal, Truck Art, Apricots, Handicrafts, Ornaments etc.
The Cabinet approved appointment of Presiding Officer, Special Court(Offences in Banks), Islamabad.Cabinet ratified the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee for Disposalof Legislative Cases (CCLC) in its meeting held on 22nd February, 2018 andCabinet Committee on Privatization held on February 16, 2018.Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Sartaj Aziz briefed the Cabinet indetail regarding measures to enhance cotton production and exports fromPakistan. Cabinet approved transfer of Pakistan Central Cotton Committeeand Cotton related matters from Ministry of Textile Industry to Ministry ofNational Food Security & Research.