Cabinet extends jobs quota in govt service for 20 years

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday granted extension of another 20 years in the regional quota system for direct recruitment in the federal government.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif considered and gave its approval to the constitutional amendment in the first provision of Article 27(1).

"The amendment envisages that in the interest of national integrity and harmony, adequate representation in the service of Pakistan for persons belonging to any class or area is only possible when the period is further extended," a press release said.

"The proviso provides for merit/regional quota for fulfillment of direct recruitment to posts in the Federal Government. The existing proviso will be extended for another period of 20 years from 14.8.2013." the Cabinet Division press release said.

The Federal Cabinet considered and also gave its approval to the amendment in the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance Act, 1969 (Act-II of 1969).

The amendment will remove the age limit of 70 years for the provision of Benevolent Grant to family members of an employee who dies upto the age of 70 years whereas the grants under other schemes viz. Marriage Grant, Burial Charges and Educational Stipends are admissible without restriction of any age limit.

The Cabinet also considered the issue of repatriation of Afghan refugees beyond June 30 and decided that the proof of registration card for them may be extended uptill 2015.

The Prime Minister earlier briefed the Cabinet on his successful visit to China where he had mutually beneficial, productive and result-oriented interaction with the country's political and business leadership.

He informed the Cabinet that both the countries had agreed on the implementation of a mega-project of Gwadar-Kashgar economic corridor which would not only prove to be "a dream come true" in terms of progress and prosperity for the people of Pakistan but for the whole region.

The Prime Minister said that Chinese companies are expected to relocate their businesses in the economic zones along the Corridor in Pakistan.

It will also open avenues for Pakistan's trade and commerce with other countries of the region, he said. The Prime Minister said that both the countries have formed task forces to monitor and expedite the progress in implementation of the economic corridor project.

The Cabinet was informed that Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal is the Chairman of the Pakistan chapter of the task force; and the Chinese task force was expected to visit Pakistan soon after Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Prime Minister also informed the Cabinet that as a special goodwill gesture shown by the Chinese side, the insurance charges of six percent on Chinese investment in Pakistan which runs into billions of rupees had been waived.

The Prime Minister said that the economic cooperation agreed upon between the two countries during his visit will result in Pakistan's economic resurgence.