ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the motives behind an “exaggerated and irresponsible” statement made in 2020 by a former minister regarding Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilots.
Key Decisions from the Cabinet Meeting:
Investigation into PIA Pilot Controversy
- The committee will assess financial losses incurred by PIA and the national treasury due to the former minister’s statement.
- Officials briefed the cabinet on the statement’s impact, emphasizing its significant financial damage.
Education & Medical Sector Reforms
- The cabinet approved a 25% reduction in the provincial quota for federal government-administered medical and dental colleges.
- The decision was made to address the low quota for students from Islamabad Capital Territory in provincial medical and dental colleges.
Economic & Trade Approvals
- Approval of the Off the Grid Captive Power Plants Levy Ordinance 2025.
- Endorsement of the Middle East Green Initiative Charter, which aims to restore 200 million hectares of land and plant 50 billion trees.
- Approval of an agreement on tariff rate quotas between Pakistan and the European Union.
Judicial & Administrative Changes
- Conversion of Accountability Court-III into Special Court-III, based on recommendations from the Islamabad High Court and Ministry of Law and Justice.
- Approval of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman’s additional charge to the General Manager of Engineering for two months, with orders to expedite the appointment of a regular chairman.
- Approval of Rules of Business, 1973 amendments to merge the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions with the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs.
Other Key Developments
- Pakistan Business Council delegation, led by Chairman Shabbir Diwan, met PM Shehbaz Sharif, who assured them of automation in all economic sectors similar to the Faceless Customs Assessment System at Karachi Port.
- Interior Minister & PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi briefed the PM on his US visit, business interactions, Champions Trophy preparations, and ongoing action against human smugglers.
- PM Shehbaz chaired an anti-polio review meeting, reaffirming the government’s commitment to eradicating polio.
- MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik was felicitated on her appointment as Pakistan’s Ambassador by Women Political Leaders (WPL), a global network for women politicians.
The cabinet also ratified decisions from the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (January 17, 2025) and Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (December 17, 2024), including amendments to the Citizenship Act, 1952.