Getting Aafia home: Cabinet approves signing of Council of Europe Convention
A host of other agreements and amendments sanctioned as well.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired the meeting. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved signing of the Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons, in a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to Radio Pakistan.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who directed the Interior Minister to "fast track" the process of signing.
The signing will enable Pakistan to request the US Government for the repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui under the relevant provisions.
The Cabinet was apprised of how numerous Pakistani nationals sentenced to imprisonment by US Courts in the past could not be brought back due to absence of any bilateral agreement between the two nations on the matter.
Under US law‚ a person sentenced under federal law to a term of years may only be repatriated/transferred to country of origin/citizenship if the country in question is a signatory to a prisoner transfer treaty to which the United States is also a signatory.
The United States is a signatory to the Convention and Pakistan currently isn't.
The Prime Minister took serious notice of the law and order situation in Karachi and directed the Interior Minister to make a comprehensive presentation in the next Cabinet meeting on the issue.
Approval for CASA-1000 Transmission Project
The Cabinet also submitted its approval for the signing of Inter Governmental Council Resolution to CASA-1000 Transmission Project between Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyz Republic.
The Joint Working Group has prepared recommendations for development of the Project on the basis of a Contractual Joint Venture and started negotiations on the standard terms and conditions in accordance with agreed commercial principles.
The Inter-Governmental Council (IGC) consists of Ministers/Deputy Ministers of the four countries.
Security Protocol between Pakistan and Turkey
The Cabinet also sanctioned a security Protocol between Pakistan and Turkey.
The objective of the Protocol is to increase the current security cooperation between the police organizations of the countries, which will include capacity building and police training activities. Both sides will aim to strengthen their organizational capacity in counter-terrorism; information technologies and telecommunication; training and train-the-trainer programmes; crime scene investigation and forensics; organized crimes; intelligence; operational, tactical and strategic level police management training; police aviation; police behavior training and contemporary approaches in policing; defence tactics, sniper and operational shooting; criminal investigations; traffic management and traffic control system; riot policing; crisis management systems; MOBESE systems; and prevention of radicalization.
LJCP decisions to be implemented
The Cabinet approved the implementation of the decisions taken in the meeting of Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) held on June 4, 2011.
In 2011, the Commission approved certain amendments in the Law and Justice Commission Ordinance 1979, National Judicial Committee Ordinance 2002 and the repeal of Federal Court Act 1937.
The Cabinet has now given a go-ahead for introduction of the amendments in either House of Parliament.
Amendments in Employees Fund
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval to the Amendment in the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance Act, 1969 (Act-II of 1969). The amendment envisages incorporation of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development in the composition of the Board in place of Ministry of Labour and Manpower.
Islamabad Bar Council to be established
The Cabinet stamped its approval for the Amendments in the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973. The draft bill will provide for establishment of Islamabad Bar Council which is a statutory requirement under the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973.
International agreement on transfer of offenders
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval in principle to enter into negotiations on an agreement on transfer of offenders between Pakistan and Maldives, Pakistan and Korea and Pakistan and China.
The Cabinet also thumbed up the agreement on Transfer of Offenders between Pakistan and Yemen, Pakistan and Azerbaijan and Pakistan and Republic of Turkey.
Defence Cooperation with Spain
The Cabinet endorsed the officiating of a Protocol between Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Spain and the Ministry of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Defence Cooperation. The Protocol envisages cooperation in military, defence industry and scientific-technological fields between both countries.
Financial Cooperation with Germany
The Cabinet signing of Financial Cooperation Agreement 2011 with Germany. The agreement will strengthen and intensify friendly relations through financial cooperation in a spirit of partnership and it will contribute to social and economic development in Pakistan. The agreement will also facilitate loans and financial contributions totaling Euro 67 million for developmental projects in Pakistan.
Cooperation with Saudia Arabia on sports
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for signing of Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the field of sports. The proposed agreement would provide an opportunity to share the experience, skills and techniques of sports between the two countries.
Approval for MoU with Sri Lanka on sports
The Cabinet also announced its approval in principle to initiate negotiations with the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri-Lanka for signing of an MoU on cooperation in the field of sports.
Protocol for export of mangoes to China
The Cabinet considered and gave its ex-post facto approval, in principle, for the negotiations and signing of Protocol between the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of National Food Security & Research of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on phytosanitary requirements for exporting mangoes from Pakistan to China.
The Cabinet was informed that the export of Pakistani mangoes to China will not only accrue significant economic returns but will also attribute an authenticity to the Pakistani mangoes being complaint by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of People’s Republic of China with respect to Plant Quarantine and WTO-SPS compliance.
Amendments in Service Tribunals Act 1973
The Cabinet considered Amendments in Service Tribunals Act, 1973, and formed a Committee to review and present its recommendations before the Cabinet. The Committee comprises Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization, Mr. Muhammad Ishaq Dar; Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. Zahid Hamid; Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mr. Khawaja Zaheer and Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Nasir Khosa.
Convention with Czech Republic to improve taxation matters
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for signing of the draft Convention between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Czech Republic for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved signing of the Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons, in a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to Radio Pakistan.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who directed the Interior Minister to "fast track" the process of signing.
The signing will enable Pakistan to request the US Government for the repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui under the relevant provisions.
The Cabinet was apprised of how numerous Pakistani nationals sentenced to imprisonment by US Courts in the past could not be brought back due to absence of any bilateral agreement between the two nations on the matter.
Under US law‚ a person sentenced under federal law to a term of years may only be repatriated/transferred to country of origin/citizenship if the country in question is a signatory to a prisoner transfer treaty to which the United States is also a signatory.
The United States is a signatory to the Convention and Pakistan currently isn't.
The Prime Minister took serious notice of the law and order situation in Karachi and directed the Interior Minister to make a comprehensive presentation in the next Cabinet meeting on the issue.
Approval for CASA-1000 Transmission Project
The Cabinet also submitted its approval for the signing of Inter Governmental Council Resolution to CASA-1000 Transmission Project between Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyz Republic.
The Joint Working Group has prepared recommendations for development of the Project on the basis of a Contractual Joint Venture and started negotiations on the standard terms and conditions in accordance with agreed commercial principles.
The Inter-Governmental Council (IGC) consists of Ministers/Deputy Ministers of the four countries.
Security Protocol between Pakistan and Turkey
The Cabinet also sanctioned a security Protocol between Pakistan and Turkey.
The objective of the Protocol is to increase the current security cooperation between the police organizations of the countries, which will include capacity building and police training activities. Both sides will aim to strengthen their organizational capacity in counter-terrorism; information technologies and telecommunication; training and train-the-trainer programmes; crime scene investigation and forensics; organized crimes; intelligence; operational, tactical and strategic level police management training; police aviation; police behavior training and contemporary approaches in policing; defence tactics, sniper and operational shooting; criminal investigations; traffic management and traffic control system; riot policing; crisis management systems; MOBESE systems; and prevention of radicalization.
LJCP decisions to be implemented
The Cabinet approved the implementation of the decisions taken in the meeting of Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) held on June 4, 2011.
In 2011, the Commission approved certain amendments in the Law and Justice Commission Ordinance 1979, National Judicial Committee Ordinance 2002 and the repeal of Federal Court Act 1937.
The Cabinet has now given a go-ahead for introduction of the amendments in either House of Parliament.
Amendments in Employees Fund
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval to the Amendment in the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance Act, 1969 (Act-II of 1969). The amendment envisages incorporation of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development in the composition of the Board in place of Ministry of Labour and Manpower.
Islamabad Bar Council to be established
The Cabinet stamped its approval for the Amendments in the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973. The draft bill will provide for establishment of Islamabad Bar Council which is a statutory requirement under the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973.
International agreement on transfer of offenders
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval in principle to enter into negotiations on an agreement on transfer of offenders between Pakistan and Maldives, Pakistan and Korea and Pakistan and China.
The Cabinet also thumbed up the agreement on Transfer of Offenders between Pakistan and Yemen, Pakistan and Azerbaijan and Pakistan and Republic of Turkey.
Defence Cooperation with Spain
The Cabinet endorsed the officiating of a Protocol between Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Spain and the Ministry of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Defence Cooperation. The Protocol envisages cooperation in military, defence industry and scientific-technological fields between both countries.
Financial Cooperation with Germany
The Cabinet signing of Financial Cooperation Agreement 2011 with Germany. The agreement will strengthen and intensify friendly relations through financial cooperation in a spirit of partnership and it will contribute to social and economic development in Pakistan. The agreement will also facilitate loans and financial contributions totaling Euro 67 million for developmental projects in Pakistan.
Cooperation with Saudia Arabia on sports
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for signing of Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the field of sports. The proposed agreement would provide an opportunity to share the experience, skills and techniques of sports between the two countries.
Approval for MoU with Sri Lanka on sports
The Cabinet also announced its approval in principle to initiate negotiations with the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri-Lanka for signing of an MoU on cooperation in the field of sports.
Protocol for export of mangoes to China
The Cabinet considered and gave its ex-post facto approval, in principle, for the negotiations and signing of Protocol between the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of National Food Security & Research of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on phytosanitary requirements for exporting mangoes from Pakistan to China.
The Cabinet was informed that the export of Pakistani mangoes to China will not only accrue significant economic returns but will also attribute an authenticity to the Pakistani mangoes being complaint by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of People’s Republic of China with respect to Plant Quarantine and WTO-SPS compliance.
Amendments in Service Tribunals Act 1973
The Cabinet considered Amendments in Service Tribunals Act, 1973, and formed a Committee to review and present its recommendations before the Cabinet. The Committee comprises Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization, Mr. Muhammad Ishaq Dar; Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. Zahid Hamid; Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mr. Khawaja Zaheer and Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Nasir Khosa.
Convention with Czech Republic to improve taxation matters
The Cabinet considered and gave its approval for signing of the draft Convention between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Czech Republic for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.