Cabinet bans sale of loose cigarettes

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has decided to put a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes to discourage the smoking trend in youth. For the purpose, the “Prohibition of Sale of Cigarettes to Minors Rules, 2010” is being amended.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who returned from Kathmandu after paying an official overnight visit to Nepal, chaired a meeting here at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday. The cabinet was briefed that enough generation capacity would be available for catering to the power requirements during the summer season, particularly during the holy month of Ramazan falling in May and June.

Besides, additional power would be added to the national grid from Tarbela-IV and Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower projects in the next months, which would further augment the existing generation capacity. The meeting was also briefed about the current load management plan.

The prime minister said as a result of untiring efforts of the government, power generation has significantly increased since 2013. He said the provision of uninterrupted power supply has remained the priority of the present government to meet domestic, commercial and industrial requirements.

The cabinet expressed satisfaction over the power situation and resolved to provide uninterrupted power to consumers during the upcoming summer season and Ramazan. The meeting also appreciated the efforts of the incumbent as well as former minister for power for addressing sectoral issues relating to power. It was emphasised to lay greater focus on addressing the administrative and management issues viz-a-viz transmission, distribution and recovery of power dues.

The cabinet also accorded approval for signing of memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and Somalia for rendering the National Database and Registration Authority’s services to Somalia.

The cabinet granted approval to initiate legislation on Geographical Indications Protection Bill, 2017. Geographical Indications (GIs) is a form of intellectual property rights, which identifies a product originating from a specific area, whose quality or reputation is attributable to its place of origin. Possible GIs for Pakistan can include Basmati rice, Ajrak and Pashmina shawls, Peshawari chappal, truck art, apricots, handicrafts, and ornaments, etc.

The cabinet approved appointment of presiding officer, Special Court (Offences in Banks), Islamabad. It ratified the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) in its meeting held on February 22, and the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation held on February 16.

The deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz briefed the cabinet regarding measures to enhance cotton production and exports from Pakistan. It approved the transfer of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee and Cotton related matters from the Ministry of Textile Industry to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.