The Prime Minister apprised the Cabinet of the government's measures against the nefarious business of human trafficking.
Ali Ayaz and News Desk and 08 January 2025
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that reduction in electricity prices is very important for development and will take up the matter with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
While presiding over the meeting of the federal cabinet, he said that reduction in electricity rates is very important for the development of industries and agriculture. He said that two or three options are being considered in this regard.
“A meeting was held last week to reduce electricity rates in which the options to reduce tariffs were discussed with the provinces. A comprehensive meeting will be held again this week to discuss available options.
According to Geo News sources, the government is working on various options to reduce electricity rates with the aim of reducing the prices by Rs 10 per unit.
The government's first option involves negotiating with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to pass on the benefits to the public. Termination of contracts with five IPPs is expected to save the government a total of Rs 411 billion with annual savings of Rs 70 billion.
Sources in the Ministry of Energy have revealed that the tariff revision of eight bagasse-based power plants will save Rs 238 billion, which is equivalent to an annual saving of Rs 8.83 billion. Additionally, cancellation or modification of agreements with another 16 IPPs will result in an additional benefit of Rs 481 billion.
These savings will be passed on to consumers in the form of reduced electricity prices. Sources further said that the federal government is also considering proposals to reduce taxes on electricity bills along with extending the winter electricity relief package.
Addressing the Cabinet, the Prime Minister said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to pay $2 billion due to Pakistan this month.
He said that UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan informed him about this decision during a one-on-one meeting in Rahim Yar Khan.
He said that during the one-on-one meeting, the President of the United Arab Emirates happily said that Pakistan has to pay two billion dollars this month and he has decided to extend it.
Shahbaz Sharif told the Federal Cabinet that the President of the United Arab Emirates himself suggested the payment of 2 billion dollars. He said that the decision of the President of the United Arab Emirates to postpone the payment of two billion dollars is a good omen for the economy of Pakistan and we are grateful to him.
The Prime Minister said that his meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates focused on strengthening bilateral relations and promoting investment.
He said that the President of the United Arab Emirates expressed his determination to invest in Pakistan while mentioning the historical brotherly relations between the two countries and assured that his country will not be left behind in this regard.
The Prime Minister said that I told the UAE President that our Deputy Prime Minister is leading the Pakistan team and he said that we should move quickly on the already decided decisions regarding investment.
It may be mentioned here that friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates helped Pakistan through financial assurance to secure the much needed (IMF) loan program. The IMF had made it conditional on the release of funds by friendly countries to repay Pakistan's debts.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the President of Indonesia is also expected to visit Pakistan this month, he added that an agenda is being prepared for discussions with the visiting dignitaries.
Stating that the two countries have brotherly relations, he said that Pakistan can export halal meat and rice to Indonesia.
Expressing satisfaction over the stability of the economy, the Prime Minister emphasized that the country will be taken on the path of development with continuous diligence and hard work.
Describing the increase in textile exports as encouraging, he reiterated that the country should focus on export-led growth and efforts should be made to increase exports through non-traditional sources.
The Prime Minister also apprised the Cabinet of the government's measures against the nefarious business of human trafficking. He said it has been going on for years. Hundreds of Pakistanis have lost their lives in the incidents that happened in Greece in the last few years. The government is working tirelessly to prevent human trafficking.
"Human trafficking brings the country into disrepute. We will end this hatred."
The Prime Minister said that after the peace agreement, an incident took place in Karam, the deputy commissioner was injured in the attack on the convoy. "This is a nefarious act of sabotaging the peace agreement, which we will not allow to happen." Meanwhile, the federal cabinet described the infrastructure of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as critical and assigned it to further secure the data of revenue collectors under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA). The Cabinet took this decision on the recommendation of the Revenue Division to protect the sensitive data of FBR from cyber attacks including hacking or any form of illegal interference.
On the recommendation of the Aviation Division, the forum extended Flydubai's temporary operating permit for weekly frequency of flights from Lahore and Islamabad to Dubai and vice versa from January 4 to February 3.
The meeting was briefed on public sector imports and exports of 11 ministries and divisions through Gwadar Port. Seeking comprehensive reports from all ministries, the Prime Minister directed to ensure 60 percent of all public sector imports and exports through Gwadar Port without any discrimination.
The cabinet was informed that 100 percent implementation of e-office has been ensured in 21 ministries and divisions. It was further said that the use of paper in communication between all federal ministries and divisions has been stopped from the first date of this month. E-Office is being used for all file movement and communication.
It was informed that the implementation of e-office will not only save time but will also benefit the national exchequer in terms of stationery and petrol. With the implementation of e-office, Pr