A meeting of the Federal Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has approved changing the name of Ministry of Ports and Shipping to the Maritime Ministry.

According to a press release, the cabinet also granted its approval to a number of agenda items placed before it during the meeting. The cabinet approved signing of a Negotiated Draft Visa Abolition Agreement between the government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the government of Italy for the holders of diplomatic passport.

It approved amending the existing convention between Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income for updating of Article of Exchange of Information.

The cabinet also approved proposal to amend the existing convention between Pakistan and Nepal, for the double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income for updating of Article of Exchange of Information.

It accorded approval to a proposal to amend the existing convention between Pakistan and France for the double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income for updating of Article of Exchange of Information.

It further granted approval to amend the existing convention between Pakistan and Tunisia for the double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income for updating of Article of Exchange of Information.

Approval was also granted to amend the existing convention between Pakistan and Morocco for double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income for updating of Article of Exchange of Information.

The cabinet granted approval to amend the existing convention between Pakistan and Portuguese government for double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income for updating of Article of Exchange of Information.

The federal cabinet approved signing of a MoU on scientific and technical cooperation in the field of agriculture research between Pakistan Agriculture Research Council and Agriculture Academy of Bulgaria. Appointment of the CDA Administration member, Establishment Division was also approved in the meeting. The cabinet also discussed The Welfare of Senior Citizen Bill, 2017 aimed at facilitating senior citizens and catering to their needs.