Cabinet approves amendment in bilateral air route to Tajikistan

December 15, 2021: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved amendment in bilateral air route between Pakistan and Tajikistan. This decision will reduce both air distance and travel costs. It allowed Kazakh Air Company (SCAT) to operate in Pakistan to start air travel between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, said a press release.

The decision will enable direct air travel between Pakistan and Kazakhstan and help boost bilateral trade.

While presiding over the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the Aviation Division to start work on finalizing air travel agreements with all Central Asian countries To promote trade between Pakistan and Central Asian countries.

The cabinet also approved amendment to air travel agreement between Pakistan and Iraq. This decision will increase the number of commercial flights between Pakistan and Iraq.

During the meeting, PM was informed that there is no shortage of urea in the country at present. However, to ensure supply of urea fertilizer for Rabi crop in the country, the approvals were given that include: Sui Northern Gas Company will supply gas to urea plants by January 2022, while, gas supply to Pak Arab and Fatima Fertilizer plants will be ensured.

The process of importing additional 50,000 tons of urea should be completed expeditiously. The cabinet was also informed that price of urea per sack in Pakistan is about Rs. 1864 while in other countries it is being sold at Rs. 10,000 per sack. The present government has taken huge and significant steps for the development of agriculture in the country and welfare of farmers.

The cabinet was given a detailed briefing on sugar production and sugar prices in the country. The cabinet expressed satisfaction over the current stock and price of sugar. The Prime Minister directed that the strategic reserves of sugar be maintained so that prices remain stable. The cabinet also approved the issuance of the recommendations of the report of the Special Committee on Sugar Sector Reforms for public opinion.

OGRA's annual report for the year 2019-20 was presented to the Cabinet. The report comprises recommendations regarding the performance of Pakistan's petroleum industry, production, supply and demand and improvement of the petroleum industry.

The cabinet was informed that at present there is a 27-days stock of petrol and diesel. - 75 Exploration licenses generated revenue of Rs. 29 billion. Safety standards for LPG cylinders are being improved and a public awareness campaign is underway. 10 licenses were issued to LPG companies. - An audit is being carried out to prevent gas theft. Action is being taken against those selling petrol at illegal petrol pumps and in plastic containers.

The cabinet ratified the decisions taken at the meeting of the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) held on December 10, 2021 that include Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Policy 2021-25, commercial gas allocation from United Energy Pakistan's Fields, mechanism for granting concessionary tariff to the eligible consumers of zero-rated industrial consumers of Lahore and Sundar Industrial Estate and for prospective Industrial Estates.

Further, the cabinet approved NDMA's assistance to Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds. The government of Pakistan has already provided 200,000 tons of wheat under the World Food Program and has provided an additional 50,000 tons of wheat as aid to the Afghan people.

Press Release