5% census to be sampled for third-party validation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khakan Abbasi Friday chaired a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in which Statistics Division gave a detailed presentation on the issue of third-party validation of the census results. It was decided that one percent random sampling of the census data would be enhanced to five percent and every effort would be made to complete the process within the shortest possible time.
The CCI decided to monitor loadshedding of power and gas in the country. Discussing matters pertaining to Higher Education Commission (HEC) and other similar bodies in post 18th Constitutional Amendment, the meeting decided to constitute National Task Force on Education Standards in the country. The Task Force would look into the issues related to curriculum, medium of instruction etc., and would make recommendations for bringing uniformity and improving quality of education across the country.
Over the issue of import of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the meeting decided that the concerns of the provinces would be sent to the concerned ministry and the issue would be discussed in the next meeting of the CCI along with views of the concerned ministry. For provision of gas to localities/villages falling within 5 km radius of gas production fields, it was decided that all expenditures involved would be borne by the distribution companies. In case of province of Balochistan, provision of gas to the nearest tehsil or district headquarters, as the case may be, would be ensured.
The issue of Net hydel Profits was also discussed during the meeting. It was informed that the issue of the two provinces has been amicably resolved during the meeting with the Prime Minister.
Over the issue of export of surplus sugar, the meeting decided to recommend to the ECC to allow export of 1.5 MMT sugar during FY 2017-18. The existing subsidy level on the exports would continue.
The meeting also agreed to real-time monitoring of the electricity production, allocation to each DISCOs and duration of load-shedding by the provinces. Similar mechanism would be made available for the gas sector also.
On the issue of establishment of Fiscal Coordination Committee, the meeting decided that the existing committee constituted under NFC would be further mandated to ensure better coordination of the senior officials of Finance divisions of the provinces and the Federal Government in matters relating to fiscal consolidation.
In order to resolve issues relating to EOBI and Workers Welfare Fund in post 18th Constitutional Amendment scenario, the meeting decided to constitute a Sub-Committee comprising of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistan and Human Resource Development, SAPM on Law, SAPM on Revenue, Provincial Labour Ministers, Finance Secretary, Provincial Labor Secretaries and Secretary Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis.
The meeting approved a proposal by the Ministry for Energy for amendment in Petroleum Exploration and Production Policy, 2012.
The CCI meeting also acceded to the request of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to grant one-time relaxation for the award of one new exploration block to each Provincial Holding Companies (PHC’s) without competitive bidding.
National Water Policy was also presented during the meeting. It was decided that a committee comprising of Chairman Planning Commission, Deputy Chairman Planning, Secretaries of Planning, Water and Energy divisions and provincial representatives be constituted for detailed scrutiny and analysis of the proposed policy.
Later, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at Prime Minister’s Office.
In line with the government’s commitment to overcome the power shortage in the country, special emphasis has been accorded to power projects. The ECNEC approved following four power sector projects: Construction of new 220 kv Guddu-Sibbi single circuit transmission line for improvement of Power supply system in South areas at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 8.366 billion.
500 kv Lahore North Substation along with associated Transmission Lines at a total rationalized cost of Rs20.732 billion.
Evacuation of Power from 1410 MW Terbela 5th Extension Hydro power project at a total rationalised cost of Rs. 4.14 billion.
Evacuation of Power from 1224 MW Wind Power project at Jhimpir clusters at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 10.752 billion.
ECNEC also approved the following projects related to social, education, transport & communication; and water resources sectors: Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme (Phase-III) at a total revised cost of Rs21.335 billion. The Prime Minister directed HEC to prepare ‘Laptop-for-all Program’ that shall provide Laptops to all eligible students.
Extension of Water Resources for Faisalabad City (Phase-II) at a total rationalised cost of Rs. 14.636 Billion.
Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program in Sahiwal and Sialkot a total rationalized cost of Rs26.325 billion.
Award of Allama Muhammad Iqbal 3000 Scholarships to Afghan Students by HEC at a total rationalised cost of Rs7.352 billion. The Prime Minister directed HEC to complete the project within 3 years instead of 5 years i.e. 1000 scholarships per year.
Rehabilitation/Up-gradation and widening of Quetta-Dhadher Section of N-65 (118.322 Km) at a total rationalized cost of Rs. 7.115 billion.
Construction for improvement and widening of Chitral – Ayun – Bumborate Road (48 Km) at a total rationalised cost of Rs4.6 billion. The Prime Minister directed KP Government to ensure cultural preservation of the Kalash tribe in collaboration with civil society and non-governmental organisations.
Design, Tendering Assistance and Construction of Malakand Tunnel Project at a total revised cost of Rs16.554 billion.
Procurement / Manufacture of 820 High Capacity Bogie Freight Wagons and 230 Passenger Coaches for Pakistan Railways at a total rationalized cost of Rs31.194 billion.
Purement / Construction of 6 Maritime Patrol Vessels (MPVs) for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency at a revised cost of Rs16.28 billion.
Construction of Garuk Storage Dam, District Kharan, Balochistan at a total rationalized cost of Rs10.511 billion.
Establishment of Combined Effluent Treatment Plants for Industrial Areas of Karachi including laying of Interceptor Sewers at a total cost of Rs11.799 billion.