Cabinet okays setting up gas utility courts
The Cabinet has approved amendments to the Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) Act-2016, paving the way for setting up gas utility courts to try those involved in gas theft and delay in recovery of gas bills.
The amendment in the gas theft act also envisages delegating federal government powers to the Premier to take action against those involved in gas theft.
Following the amendment, the federal government will also consult the chief justice of the concerned high court to set up utility courts in a district.
The cabinet approves the amendment in a meeting of cabinet Prime Minister Shahbaz sharif chaired on Tuesday.
The federal cabinet also discussed the inquiry report on the issue of the overbooking of pilgrims on the government quota.
The committee formed a committee on this issue which included representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and State Bank.
The officials informed the cabinet that there were reconciliation issues in the overbooking case and ruled out evidence of malice.
The banks which overbooked the government quota of pilgrims had been paying compensation to pilgrims.
The Prime Minister directed the Finance Ministry and the State Bank of Pakistan to probe these banks why they acted carelessly in this matter.
The prime minister issued instructions to the State Bank of Pakistan to allow the banks in the flood-affected areas to continue their work even on holidays.
The Federal Cabinet has approved the summary of the Ministry of Interior to accept mutual legal assistance requests from countries with which Pakistan has no written agreement regarding legal assistance.
The Federal Cabinet has rejected the summary of increasing the retail price of 10 medicines by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination.
The Prime Minister said that he absolutely did not support the increase in the prices of medicines.
Energy Performance Standards for Electric Fans
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Federal Cabinet has approved the extension of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Electric Fans till June 30, 2023.
However, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to make every effort to bring the Minimum Energy Performance Standards to better quality before June 30, 2023.
The Federal Cabinet approved the following decisions taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on September 2, 2022.
1. Approval of Amendments in Rule-13 of the Bio-Study Rules 2017.
2. Approval of amendments in Section-15 of Emigration Ordinance 1979.
3. Approval for amendments in the Gas (Theft Control and recovery) Act-2016.
4. Approval of amendments in service rules for the post of Secretary, Evacuee Trust Property Board.
5. Inclusion of (i) Solar equipment (ii) Electric Motors (iii) Power Transformers in the mandatory list of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority.
The Federal Cabinet approved the following decision taken in the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee ECC on 08-09-2022:
1. Approval of funds amounting to Rs. 540 million in favor of Utility Stores Corporation for provision of Essential Commodities in Flood Affected Areas.
2. Approval of Allocation of PASCOs Local and Imported Wheat Stock Among Recipient Agencies.
3. Approval of Transfer of Amount to Government of Afghanistan for functioning/maintenance/equipment/salaries of three Pakistani hospitals.
4. Allocation of funds amounting to Rs. 3 billion to the National Disaster Management Authority for providing Relief to the Affections of Devastating Floods.
In order to further improve the coordination between the provinces regarding wheat price determination and urea distribution in the country, the Prime Minister has formed a committee comprising Federal Minister of Finance Miftah Ismail, Ministry of Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Faisal Sabzwari, Prime Minister.
