In last confab: Govt approves host of populist measures

Pervez Khattak chairs final cabinet meeting and clears new labour, child labour policy

PESHAWAR: As it drew the curtain on its five-year-long-tenure, the government bowed out of its last cabinet meeting by approving a host of populist policies and measures.

The provincial cabinet, which met with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in the chair, approved changes in the financial powers of the government for the stated purpose of good governance.

The cabinet also approved a provincial labour policy which has been devised with international standards in mind and after consultation with stakeholders for the welfare of the labour community.

The provincial cabinet also approved the first child labour policy of the province. The policy aims to discourage child labour and help prepare a solid strategy for preventing factors responsible for child labour.



The cabinet also approved shares from the Tobacco Development Cess for the Swabi University.

A committee was formed which would work on devising and suggesting necessary amendments in the minerals and forest laws.

The provincial cabinet also granted its in-principle approval for lease for the Serena Hotel in Swat and directed the concerned departments to review legal aspects of the lease in consultation with the law department and then decide whether the current lease should be extended or a new lease should be issued.

The meeting also green-lighted the provision of timely royalty for carrying forward developmental strategy in the gas producing areas.

Having already decided not to conduct examinations through the National Testing Service after papers were leaked earlier this year, the cabinet decided that examinations will be held through the ETEA to ensure merit and transparency in recruitments.



To ensure better breeding and growth of livestock and to provide alternate sources for earnings to the public, the cabinet approved the Livestock Policy 2018.

Khattak stressed that international research in the livestock sector should be used to prepare a comprehensive strategy within two months to ensure implementation of the policy.

The cabinet, under the Industrial Policy 2016, extended incentives for industries in the province until 2019. Furthermore, the cabinet declared that except for certain items, industries would not require a no-objection certificate (NOC) to set up factories.

The cabinet, after minor changes, approved amendments to the Journalists Endowment Fund to make it journalist-friendly.

The cabinet also approved a move to lease 384 kanals of land to build the Nowshera Technical University and its attached colleges and schools. A further 135 kanals of land will be acquired in Azakhel for this purpose.

Khattak also directed to start e-tendering for bidding on government projects to ensure transparency.

The cabinet approved steps taken for the smooth functioning of the system by PMRU established in the office of the chief secretary.

The cabinet also approved amendments in litigation policy. In this connection, the chief minister stressed on the need for outsourcing and hiring the services of expert lawyers.

The cabinet was also given a detailed briefing on BRT project.

Earlier, Khattak said that their government had inherited a terrorism-hit province and that they were confronted with so many challenges including restoration of peace and public trust over government institutions.

"PTI, with public support and cooperation of bureaucracy, put the things on track, strengthened institutions, depoliticised police, ensured meritocracy and transparency," he claimed, adding that they are proud of leaving the system in good shape for the next government.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2018.