Federal Cabinet to mull over discord with IPPs and other political challenges

The federal cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in chair is likely to approve the constitution of a ‘panel of neutrals’ to address controversies related to Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

According to details, the Federal Cabinet was requested by the Ministry of Law and Justice to issue a notification with regard to the constitution of a seven-member panel of neutrals to resolve disputes with IPPs in accordance with Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules, 2018, read with Section 4 (1) of the Act, 2017.

Moreover, according to the agenda, the items to be discussed during the cabinet meeting include presentation on the projects and initiatives envisaged by Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority (NAPHDA), regulation of renewal period of Charter License class-II (domestic & international)-M/s AHS Air International (PVT) Ltd, permission for import of Indian Origin Red Sand Stone for conversation work of historical monuments in next meeting.

The federal cabinet will also discuss operationalization policy for buses purchased under the PM’s Education Reforms Programme (PMERP) in Federal Directorate of Education (PDE), Islamabad, decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee for disposal of Legislative Cases in its meeting held on 21-01-2021 and any other matter with permission of the Prime Minister.

The cabinet is also likely to give priority to gas connection requests for politically motivated schemes. Reportedly, there are nearly 2.8 million gas connections pending on the network of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

SNPGL operates in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Although Punjab’s share in domestic gas production is the lowest, LNG is being mainly consumed by the province.

SNGPL and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) are the two public sector gas utilities engaged in the transmission, distribution and sale of natural gas across Pakistan.