Cabinet approves bill to hold transparent elections in future
ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (APP): The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday gave its  approval for the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2011 which will help to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country and ensure security and integrity of the database of the electoral rolls. The meeting of the Federal Cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at Prime Minister Secretariat here.
The meeting offered fateha for the departed souls of governor Punjab,  Salman Taseer  and former Interior Minister, Naseerullah Babar. 
Eulogizing their services for the nation, the Cabinet paid glowing  tributes to both the national leaders. 
The cabinet expressed grief on the brutal murders of Governor Punjab, Salman Taseer and the elderly parents of the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Javed Iqbal. 
The Cabinet was unanimous in condemning both the incidents.  The Prime Minister ordered the relevant authorities to inquire into the circumstances  that led to such gruesome acts of violence so that the perpetrators can be tried in accordance with the existing laws of the state.
The Cabinet reviewed implementation status of Cabinet decisions  pertaining to ministries of information and broadcasting, labour and  manpower, information technology and telecom and interior. 
It was observed that 75 per cent of the decisions have been implemented while the remaining are under implementation, awaiting completion of formalities and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The Cabinet accorded approval to the signing of agreement between Pakistan and Bulgaria for economic cooperation.
Under the proposed agreement Pakistan- Bulgaria Inter-Government Commission would be established to help promote cooperation in economic, trade and other fields between the two countries.
The Cabinet approved the draft of Pakistan Health Research Council (PHRC) Bill 2010. The draft bill would allow the Council to carry out its mandate and academic-based research pursuits effectively and would enjoy the status of an autonomous organization, with its own Board of Governors to be headed by the Federal Minister for Health.
The Cabinet approved in principle to consider the inclusion of civil servants in the conferment of National Civil Awards within the existing system of decorating prominent personalities.  It was decided that the matter would be resubmitted after review by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
On National Forest Policy, the Cabinet decided that this is an inter- provincial Government Issue and would be discussed in the meeting of Council  of Common Interests (CCI).    
The Cabinet also gave its approval for the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2010. According to Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2010 if any person, in committing or attempting to commit robbery, causes death of any person in  so committing robbery, or attempting to commit robbery, shall be punished  with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.