ISLAMABAD Paying tributes to the services rendered by Shaukat Tarin, earlier as an Advisor on Finance Affairs and later as Finance Minister and his successfully implementing Nine-Point Economic Agenda, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that Tarin would continue to extend his services for the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC). The Prime Minister made these remarks while chairing the Federal Cabinet meeting at PM Secretariat. Nine-Point Economic Agenda not only stabilised the national economy during global recession but also helped the country effectively address its negative impact on the people of Pakistan, he maintained. During the meeting, Tarin clarified that his resignation was based purely on personal reasons and assured that he would continue supporting the Government and the party. The Cabinet approved in principle the Population Policy and Ministry of Population Welfare also made a presentation to the Cabinet on the Population Policy. It was informed that the Policy envisioned to achieve population stabilisation by 2020 through expeditious completion of demographic transition that entailed decline in both fertility and mortality rates. This will be achieved through reduction in total fertility rate to 2.1 percent, reduction in population growth rate to 1.3 percent and universal access to modern family planning methods. The PM said population increase had primarily affected the supply and demand in all sectors. The Population Welfare Programme, therefore, should be coordinated among the Ministries of Health, Education, Religious Affairs, Youth Affairs, Social Welfare and Information & Broadcasting to prepare a comprehensive policy. The same policy should be shared with the Provincial Governments and they be asked to monitor its implementation at the local level. The Cabinet accorded approval, in principle, to initiate a comprehensive law on corporate rehabilitation to be called Corporate Rehabilitation Act 2010. The proposed law will enable the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to administer the turn around of financially distressed companies. The Government in the past has resorted to ad hoc arrangements like establishment of Special Banking Courts, etc. which proved counterproductive although Pakistan is one of the most credit friendly legal regimes in the world. The proposed bill will also provide a framework for establishment, licensing, training and conduct of administration and liquidations. The Cabinet also granted approval, in principle, to drafting legislation to be called Futures Trading Bill 2010. The proposed bill will provide for licensing of futures exchange and clearing house and will give statutory recognition and authority to the futures exchange and the clearing arrangements. The Cabinet ratified the decisions of the ECC meeting held on 9th February 2010. The Cabinet approved, in principle, MoU to initiate negotiations on agricultural cooperation between the Ministry of Food & Agriculture of Pakistan and the Ministry of Agriculture of Germany. The Cabinet granted approval, in principle, to start negotiations with the Government of Bulgaria on the abolition of visa for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The Cabinet approved a proposal for initiation of negotiations on agreement on promotion and protection of investment with Canada. In the year 2008-09, Canadian investment flows into Pakistan were about US $2.4 million. In order to share experiences and techniques of different sports with the players of brotherly country Iran, the Cabinet granted approval, in principal, to initiate negotiations with Iran for a MoU on cooperation in the field of sports. The Cabinet also granted ex post facto approval to the agreement for import of electricity from the Central Asia, South Asia Regional Electricity Market.