The PBS stated that after the approval of the cabinet, the ECP is being provided district, tehsil and block wise data with the purpose to ensure timely elections in 2018. The 6th population census counted the country's total population at 207.774 million with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa population at 30.523 million, FATA, 5.001 million, Punjab, 110.012 million, Sindh, 47.886 million, Balochistan, 12.344 million and Islamabad, Capital Territory's population at 2.006 million.
Soon after the meeting started, the minister for foreign affairs briefed the cabinet about the background of the recent statements by the US leadership as well as about the discussion that took place on the issue in the National Security Committee (NSC) on Tuesday last.
The federal cabinet unanimously endorsed the stance taken by the NSC that expressed deep disappointment over the recent statements by the US leadership. The cabinet was of the view that the US statements were detrimental to the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the US, a relationship that has developed over generations. Pakistan has rendered huge sacrifices, both in terms of loss of precious human lives and a substantial damage to the economy. Achievements made by Pakistan in curbing the menace of terrorism have been acknowledged throughout the world, reiterated the cabinet.
The cabinet meeting also considered a proposal for granting extension in the Proof of Registration (POR) Cards and Tripartite Agreement (Pakistan-Afghanistan-UNHCR) for Afghan refugees beyond December31, 2017. After a detailed discussion, the cabinet agreed to grant one month (30 days extension for POR) and also decided that the issue of early repatriation of Afghan refugees shall be raised with the UNHCR and international community. Pakistan's economy has carried the burden of hosting Afghan refugees since long and cannot sustain it further in the present circumstances, emphasized the cabinet.
On the agenda item of approval of maximum retail prices (MRPs) of additional pack sizes of already registered drugs, approval of increase in maximum retail prices of drugs under the drug Pricing Policy-2015 and threshold limits of lower priced drugs were discussed at length and the cabinet accorded approval in line with the Drug Pricing Policy 2015.
The cabinet meeting also approved placement of "The Institute for Arts and Culture Bill, 2017" before the Parliament, permission to allow transit of 01x40 feet container STC containing 51 package of spare parts for vehicles of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) from Karachi to Kabul, signing of MoU on bilateral consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of Pakistan and the Portuguese Republic, signing of memorandum of intent (MOI) between Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) Pakistan and Confindustria Marmomacchine of Italy for Cupertino in stone sector as well as signing of MoU between Ministry of Defence of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Ministry of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the field of defense and ratification of agreement on military, technical, science and education Cupertino between the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the government of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The meeting also approved execution of gas development schemes during the present government and ratification of recommendations of cabinet committee for disposal of legislative cases (CCLC) in respect of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2017.