Cabinet meeting: Govt okays SAARC connectivity deal

Also gives nod to PM’s Sustainable Development Goals

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday gave the nod to a regional connectivity agreement, which envisions a railways network across the Southeast Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (Saarc) states and movement of commercial, cargo and passenger vehicles.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, also gave approval to the prime minister’s Sustainable Development Goals, a programme for medical treatment of deserving citizens suffering from fatal diseases and introduction of Rs10 coin while also amending the existing design of Rs5 coin.

The approval of Saarc agreement comes in line with the recently held 8th Saarc Finance Ministers Conference that stressed upon expediting progress on materialising the Saarc Agreement of Motor Vehicles and Railways for Intra-Regional Connectivity. In this regard, the representatives from the Saarc countries had held several rounds of deliberations over the last two years.

The PM’s Sustainable Development Goals Programme envisages progress in different areas including development, energy and social sector and allocation of necessary funding in this regard. On the other hand, medical treatment programme includes treatment from fatal diseases including kidney, liver, bone-marrow transplant and cancer and is part of the PM National Health Programme.

According to a statement issued by the PM House, a total of 17 agenda items were approved in the meeting, attended by federal ministers, advisers, special assistants and relevant officials.

These items include administrative, financial, developmental and legal matters, moved by the Cabinet Division, Finance Division, Revenue Division, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division and Foreign Affairs Division. The cabinet confirmed the relevant decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring, and the relevant decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation.

It also approved Tax Laws Amendment Ordinance 2016, determination of sales tax on petroleum products, agreement between Pakistan and China and Pakistan and Switzerland for the avoidance of double taxation.

The meeting also approved publication of tax directories, extension of reduced withholding tax rate for non-filers, ratification of relevant decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and Commission of Inquiry Bill 2016.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2016.