ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the extension of the Off-Grid Power Plants Levy Act 2025 to include the sale of gas to captive power plants by third parties, as it cleared a series of key policy and legislative measures alongside major economic decisions.
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The approval came during a special cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The cabinet also endorsed amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Ordinance 2002 to bring public procurement and tendering procedures in line with contemporary requirements and international best practices.
In addition, the cabinet repealed the National University for Security Sciences Islamabad Bill 2025 and constituted a committee to ensure more effective consultation on private members’ bills and other legislation in the National Assembly. It also approved the National Cannabis Control and Regulatory Policy 2025, aimed at promoting the regulated use of plant-based resources in pharmaceutical and textile sectors.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior, the cabinet approved a visa clearance system to facilitate Pakistani citizens travelling abroad. The new mechanism is intended to provide a transparent, secure and streamlined process for visa acquisition, helping ease foreign travel for citizens.
The cabinet also ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases at its meetings held on October 20, November 5 and November 21, as well as the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee taken on December 18.
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said national interest would remain the guiding principle behind all government decisions, particularly those related to economic reforms, political stability and public confidence.
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The prime minister congratulated the nation on Pakistan’s victory in the Under-19 cricket championship, calling it a proud moment for the country. He also referred to the conferment of the King Abdulaziz Award on Field Marshal Asim Munir in Saudi Arabia, stating that the honour reflected Pakistan’s collective dignity and international standing.