Cabinet ratifies defence pact with Kuwait

Announces fuel subsidy to continue until end of December

ISLAMABAD:

The federal cabinet on Wednesday ratified the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement.

The agreement was finalised on June 11, 2023, to promote cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the Kuwaiti government had ratified the agreement on July 19.

The ratification follows a series of high-level contacts between Kuwaiti and Pakistani military officials in recent months aimed at expanding bilateral defence coordination.

The federal cabinet also approved the transfer of powers delegated to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to the provincial governor for the conduct of day-to-day affairs during the period of emergency.

According to the PMO statement, the move was intended to facilitate administrative matters and improve governance in the province. The governor would submit a monthly report to the federal government reviewing the exercise of these powers.

The cabinet expressed hope that the K-P Advisory Council, under the governor's leadership, would work for the welfare and prosperity of the province's people and help restore peace and security.

The prime minister also said a Rs160 billion development package had been finalised for K-P, with security given priority.

He said a large number of terrorists had been eliminated in the province and expressed confidence that terrorism would be eradicated through the sacrifices of security personnel and the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, the provincial government and the federal government.

Describing K-P as Pakistan's most beautiful province, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised its people for resisting terrorism for decades and paying a heavy price in sacrifices.

He said Balochistan had also faced terrorism for a long time, adding that the menace had been eliminated in 2018 but had unfortunately resurfaced. He expressed hope that it would once again be comprehensively suppressed. He added that the federal and provincial governments would work with security institutions to eliminate terrorism.

 

New currency notes

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Finance, the cabinet approved the designs of new currency notes after receiving a detailed briefing on the process.

The briefing informed the meeting that proposals had been invited from artists and designers across the country. A cabinet committee established by the prime minister had also held consultations with relevant stakeholders on the proposed designs.

The new notes would feature enhanced security measures to prevent counterfeiting and use modern materials intended to extend their lifespan, the statement said.

The cabinet also approved the introduction of a Rs10 coin to replace the existing Rs10 banknote.

The Federal Cabinet further ratified decisions taken at the October 26 meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government-Owned Institutions.

It also ratified decisions taken at meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on January 22, February 26, August 5, 18 and 27, and September 11 and 22.