Daily Times

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said the purpose of making public the sugar inquiry report is to bring facts and reasons of increase in sugar prices before the nation and to reform the system by rectifying its demerits in the light of its findings.

The aim of taking such steps is to ensure that in future the people can be protected from exploitation and burden of unnecessary increase in the prices of commodities, the prime minister said while chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet.

The cabinet was briefed about future strategy and further action by the relevant authorities in the light of recommendations of the sugar inquiry report. It decided to set up an inter-ministerial committee to review the facts and various aspects of the report, and suggest comprehensive reforms about the present system with an effective role of the regulator.

The meeting was given a detailed briefing about the progress on procurement of wheat by the provinces and future estimation of its demand and supply in the country. It decided to ensure a balance between demand and supply of wheat and flour so that there should be no paucity of those in any part of the country in future. It also decided to form a high-level committee to formulate recommendations in this regard, besides suggesting reforms about flour mills.

The prime minister directed the interior secretary to present recommendations of the task force about countering smuggling so that further action could be taken in this regard.

Expressing his heartfelt condolences with the families, who had lost their loved ones in the Pakistan International Airlines plane crash, he said there is no substitute to a human life.

Earlier, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that the federal cabinet has decided to tighten the noose around the sugar mafia. In a conversation with the media following the cabinet meeting, the minister vowed that the sugar mafia ‘will not be spared’. “The arrest proceedings of these evil doers will be based on actions dating back to 1985,” he added.

Sh Rasheed said it has also been decided that an investigation based on sugar report will be carried out. “We will expose everyone’s unlawful deeds,” he said. “We are going to close in on all those who flout the law, the sugar mafia, money launderers, and smugglers. The cabinet has avowed no one will be spared,” he said. “I said that those who present a clash of interest must not be in attendance during the meeting,” he added.

The cabinet also accorded approval to the country’s first mobile phone device manufacturing policy. Under the policy, the assembly of mobile phones valued under $350 will be exempt from fixed income tax. Additionally, an increase in the fixed income tax of phones in the $350-$500 category by Rs 2,000 was approved. Phones valued more than $500 will also see a rise in fixed income tax by up to Rs 6,300. A policy for non-declaration of mobile phones import will also be done away with. Local manufacturers will be allowed a 3% R&D allowance for export of phones. The sale of these phones will be provided a 4% reduction in withholding tax. PTA approved manufacturers will be exempt from regulatory duty for CKD/SKD manufacturing. The government will keep a distinction between end-to-end manufacturing and assembling.

The cabinet discussed, among a range of issues, the upcoming federal budget and the coronavirus situation in the country. Among other issues that formed the focus of the meeting were the country’s current political issues, as well as economic challenges. The cabinet was informed on the progress in the PIA plane crash investigation as well as the identification of bodies. Furthermore, it was apprised of the locust swarm attack on crops across country. A joint presentation in this regard was given by National Disaster Management Authority and officials from the ministry of food security.

The federal cabinet approved National Coordination Committee’s decision on coronavirus-related lockdown in the country. The cabinet green-lighted Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) request to erect an office in Islamabad. The cabinet also approved utility store services across the country as essential. The cabinet also gave permission for deputing a chairman for the National Shipping Corporation along with the managing director for HPL and chief executive officer for Central Power Purchasing.

Pictures of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif that surfaced a few days back were also reportedly discussed during the session.