Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)
The caretaker federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, greenlights a hike in gas prices across various sectors, anticipating the most significant rise in gas tariffs for domestic consumers.
During its session on February 14, 2024, the federal cabinet, presided over by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, formally endorsed the resolutions passed by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on February 14 and February 7, 2024.
In a meeting chaired by the caretaker finance minister on February 14, 2024, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) endorsed an increase in gas prices and suggested a standardized gas tariff for fertilizer plants.
The Ministry of Energy has proposed a potential increase of up to 65% and 66% in gas tariffs for domestic protected and non-protected consumers, respectively.
Furthermore, upon the Ministry of Commerce’s recommendation, the federal cabinet has sanctioned the transit of vehicle spare parts and new tires for the Afghanistan Country Office under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) from Karachi Port to Kabul, Afghanistan.
The meeting discussed the prohibition of such imports and transfers to Afghanistan to curb smuggling within the country. However, under the UNDP, the mentioned spare parts and tires are designated for UN usage, not for commercial purposes.
On the Ministry of Defence Production’s suggestion, the federal cabinet has approved the reassignment of Grade-20 official Khan Nawaz from the Secretariat Group to serve as Member Finance in heavy industry Taxila.
Likewise, acting on the Ministry of Finance’s advice, the federal cabinet has granted exemption to JS Bank’s sponsoring shareholder Shabbir Ahmed Randiri from certain sections of the Banking Companies Ordinance, enabling him to exercise his voting rights in JS Bank Limited as a 7.06% sponsoring shareholder.
Additionally, following the Ministry of Interior’s recommendation, the federal cabinet has authorized the extradition of Irfan Qadir Bhatti, an accused with dual citizenship, to the Kingdom of Norway. Qadir Bhatti faces terrorism allegations by the Norwegian government.
An inquiry led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Islamabad concluded that the accused was involved in terrorism and illicit activities. Consequently, the federal cabinet sanctioned the accused’s extradition to Norway.
Moreover, the federal cabinet approved the appointment of Syed Tariq Muhammad Al-Hasan as the managing director of Pakistan Baitul Mal, as per the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Security’s proposal.
Finally, upon the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s recommendation, the federal cabinet endorsed the payments made by Pakistan Television Corporation to foreign broadcasters for the broadcasting rights of sports events.
Furthermore, the federal cabinet approved the decisions reached in the Cabinet Committee on Energy meeting on February 6, 2024, along with the resolutions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Affairs meeting on February 7, 2024.
