Validity of Afghan refugee POR cards extended

Cabinet approves anti-narcotics court in Makran; gets briefing on PIA privatisation

ISLAMABAD:

The federal cabinet on Friday extended the validity period of the ‘Proof of Registration (POR) cards’ issued to the Afghan refugees in the country for three months and green-lit the establishment of an additional special court in Makran division to deal with anti-narcotics cases in Balochistan.

The cabinet, which met here with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the chair, was informed that consultation with the stakeholders regarding the government policy for the use of drone technology in the agriculture sector was in the final stages.

The cabinet, on the recommendation of the state and frontier regions (Safron) ministry, approved the extension in POR cards validity period from April 1 to June 30, 2024. The extension would allow the card holders to avail schools, bank accounts and other facilities in Pakistan.

The cabinet was informed that the POR card holders would be repatriated in the third phase of the programme to repatriate illegal aliens from Pakistan. However, the first phase of repatriation programme was ongoing.

On the recommendation of the law ministry, the cabinet approved the establishment of an additional special court in Makran division, with its jurisdiction extending to the districts of Panjgur, Kech, Gwadar, Hub and Lasbela. The court would deal with anti-narcotics cases in Balochistan.

During the meeting, privatisation secretary briefed the ministers regarding the progress towards the privatisation of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The secretary said that ads to invite expressions of interest by 3rd of May had been published in national and international newspapers.

The cabinet was told that several companies had expressed keen interest in the PIA sell-off. The cabinet also received a briefing from the aviation secretary on the recent measures taken to improve facilities at the Pakistani airports, particularly in Lahore and Karachi.

Meanwhile, the cabinet approved the appointment of four ex-officio members to the board of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP). The minister also endorsed the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases in its April 18 meeting.

Climate change

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the third meeting of the Pakistan Council for Climate Change. He ordered the formation of a committee for consultation with the provinces on the policy making on guiding principles for carbon credits.

“Our challenges regarding climate change are increasing with every passing day.”

Shehbaz told the meeting, which was attended by federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahad Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Awais Leghari Azad Kashmir prime minister and all the chief ministers.

“The federal and provincial governments will work together to make policies regarding climate change,” he remarked. “Without the consultation of provinces on all matters, there is no question of policy making of any kind on climate change.”

The participants of the meeting discussed policy guidelines for foreign trading in carbon credits. The chief ministers of the four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan gave their recommendations regarding the policy. Shehbaz instructed that a policy draft should be presented in the next meeting of the council.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)