ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired Federal Cabinet’s meeting here on Tuesday in Islamabad.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif briefed the Cabinet on US President’s statement.

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer, PIACL, was approved for a probationary period of 90 days with 2-year contract. Cabinet directed the Secretary Aviation Division to ensure submission of a business plan for profitability of PIA within 60 days of appointment of Chief Executive Officer, PIACL.

The Cabinet approved increasing and re-fixing of the number of commissioners in Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to seven.

Approval was given to exempt from payment of taxes, duties, levies etc under the grants received from global fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM).

Maximum retail prices of life saving drugs were approved and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Division was assigned the task to ensure availability of quality life saving drugs within reasonable pricing to the common people in commensurate with the national drug policy. Cabinet approved the execution and completion of ongoing gas development schemes and launch new projects under present government for providing gas to far flung areas subject to availability of funds. Furthermore, Cabinet approved initiation of negotiation on Inter-Government Agreement between Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of Republic of Nigeria on the Cooperation in the field of Oil and Gas.—PR