Okays policy for foreign investment in country: Says threat assessment committee to be formed to end use of excessive protocol
ISLAMABAD
The federal cabinet has approved the National Cyber Security Policy 2021 for data protection and prevention of cybercrimes.
This was announced by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry while briefing the media persons about decisions taken in the federal cabinet that met in Islamabad on Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.
Fawad said the policy has been introduced keeping in view the enhanced significance of cyber regime.
He said approval was also given to dual nationality of Pakistan with Czech Republic and a new policy for foreign investment in the country. He said the new policy for foreign investment is aimed at providing security to international investors and reducing international litigation against Pakistan’s bilateral agreements.
Regarding Pakistan’s bilateral agreements on investment from foreign countries, the Cabinet was informed that so far 53 agreements have been signed by Pakistan with 48 countries regarding investment, he said.
He said the cabinet directed that a comprehensive framework be formulated to protect the country from any financial loss as a result of future investment disputes. The cabinet directed the Board of Investment to formulate a comprehensive strategy in consultation with stakeholders regarding investment related dispute resolution.
Fawad said the cabinet members congratulated the prime minister over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s victory in Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. He appreciated the efforts of Federal Ministers Ali Amin Gandapur and Murad Saeed as well as Chairman Kashmir Committee Shehryar Khan Afridi for running a successful election campaign in AJK.
The cabinet offered Fateha over the martyrdom of four military soldiers during election duty and the people who died during elections.
Over the opposition’s diatribes against PTI for rigging in elections, the minister said, “Our government is first in the history that did everything for the transparency in elections. Due to our fair conduct in the election, we accepted our defeat in by-elections.”
The minister said a comprehensive report regarding use of excessive protocol was presented in the cabinet. According to the report, the federal government is utilising minimum protocol facilities while the judiciary is using maximum in terms of total expense.
The cabinet was informed that 762 police personnel, 14 Rangers and 50 FC officers are deployed by the federal capital police on the security of the president, prime minister, governors, chief ministers, ministers of state, advisers and special assistants with a total expenditure of Rs700.98 million per annum.
The security of judges is manned by 377 policemen, 24 Rangers and eight FC personnel with an annual expenditure of Rs287.368 million. Similarly, a total of 106 policemen, four Rangers, 47 FC personnel are deployed on the security of government figures with an expenditure of Rs109.7 million. Thus, the total expenditure is Rs1098.08 million per annum, he detailed.
It was told that the annual cost of providing security to the prime minister, governor, and chief minister by Punjab Police is Rs446.86 million, while Rs105.87 million are spent on providing security to former chief ministers, federal and provincial ministers, advisers and special assistants. Over Rs1.14 billion were incurred for providing security to judges and Rs833.616 million rupees per annum for providing security to government figures. The total expenditure on providing security to various people is over Rs2.5 billion per annum.
The cabinet was also apprised that the annual expenditure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in provision of security is about Rs998.34 million.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the government’s primary responsibility is to protect taxpayers’ money and it should be used properly.
The cabinet decided that security would be provided on the basis of valid reasons and not as a status symbol. In this regard, the cabinet approved the setting up of a high level Threat Assessment Committee.
The cabinet also gave approval to government’s Digital Advertisement Policy 2021. Under the policy, advertisements will be made digital, while ensuring transparency.
The minister said for the first time in history, zero payment is pending against government’s advertisements. He said, “We are working on legislation to protect journalists against non-payments of salaries.”
The cabinet gave approval to the Red Crescent for importing five ambulances from Japan. These ambulances have been gifted by Japan to the Red Crescent.
He said the cabinet was also briefed on progress made so far on electronic voting machines and voting rights for Pakistani diaspora. TLTP
