Red List. The government has “removed” several reservations of the UK. Fawad

ISLAMABAD ( Web News )

The government has “removed” several reservations of the UK on the Pakistan’s COVID data, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said Tuesday, as the country seeks to exit Britain’s travel red list.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan spoke at length about Pakistan’s coronavirus testing mechanism with Britain’s chief medical scientist, Chaudhry said, as he addressed a post-cabinet meeting media briefing.

“We hope the British government will review its policy,” he added. Pakistan was retained on the red list, in the latest review of the country’s travel ban, despite a diplomatic offensive by several top government officials.

The British government said that it had decided to keep Pakistan on the travel ban red list because the true number of COVID-19 cases are likely much higher than reported across the country, a leaked letter written by Britain’s health minister revealed.

Chaudhry said a detailed discussion was held on electoral reforms, with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, and Minister for IT and Telecom Syed Amin ul Haq giving detailed briefings to the cabinet in this regard.

The information minister reiterated the claim that “no sitting government” had proposed electoral reforms, and PTI is the “first” to do so. “Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N has never won an election without rigging, which is why they are not interested in changing the system.”

If the system fails and becomes neutral then the Sharif family has “no future” in politics, he added.

“[PML-N Vice-President] Maryam Nawaz and [PPP Chairman] Bilawal Bhutto Zardari can become the prime ministers in case Pakistan’s fortunes take a turn for the worst or there is intense rigging — there is no other way for them to become prime ministers,” he said.

The information minister said no Opposition member has held talks with the government over electronic voting machines, nor have they reviewed the bills in this regard.

“Sitting at their homes, they reject all electoral reforms saying ‘we don’t accept it’,” he lamented, adding such an “inept” and “incompetent” Opposition had “never existed” in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the Federal Cabinet at Islamabad today.

Minister for Science & Technology and Advisor to PM on Parliamentary Affairs briefed the cabinet on updated status of Electronic voting machines and E-voting.

Cabinet approved appointment of Mr. Kamran Ali Afzal as Chief Secretary Punjab and Sardar Ali Khan as Provincial Police Officer Punjab. Cabinet approved appointment of Ms. Mariam Khawar as CEO, Pakistan Expo Centers (Pvt) Ltd.

Implementation & Economic Reforms Unit (IERU) of the Finance Division presented Annual reports of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19 before the Cabinet. The Cabinet was briefed that SOEs faced a loss of Rs. 286 billion in FY 2017-18 while as in FY 2018-19 SOEs made a profit of Rs. 31 billion (excluding NHA). It was briefed that this profit was the outcome of Government’s endeavors towards institutional reforms, timely and merit based appointments of SOE heads and board of directors; and due to implementation of fiscal discipline. The Cabinet was informed that SOEs Annual Report for FY 2019-20 is being compiled and will be presented before the Cabinet soon.

Cabinet reviewed security measures for the upcoming tour of New Zealand’s Cricket team to Pakistan. Cabinet approved and directed to ensure foolproof security for the guest team.

Cabinet approved implementation of “Essential Services Act” upon employees of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation.

In order to review cinema industry in the country, the Cabinet directed to place proposals regarding import of non-Indian films before the Cabinet.

Cabinet approved designation of Seafarers as “Key Workers”  in line with the resolutions passed by International Maritime Organization.

Cabinet approved Voluntary Severance Scheme and Compulsory Golden Handshake Schemes for the employees of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) under Pakistan Medical Commission Act, 2020.

Cabinet approved appointment of Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo (PAS BS-21) as Chairman Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) for a period of One year. The Cabinet directed to expedite the process of appointment of a regular chairman.

Cabinet ratified the decisions taken by ECC in its meeting held on 31st Aug, 2021.Cabinet ratified the decisions taken by Cabinet Committee on Transport & Logistics in its meeting held on 1st September, 2021.

In light of Islamabad High Court directions, the Ministry of Housing and Works presented recommendations before the Cabinet regarding land acquisition and allotment policy wherein Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FEGHA) allots plots to federal government employees including judges. The Prime Minister directed immediate discontinuation of the policy of allotment of second plot to BS-22 officers and superior judiciary judges under the guise of PM’s package as PM has no involvement in the process and it is done by FEGHA Board. The Prime Minister stated that acquiring land from poor people on low prices and then allotting it for the benefits of the elite is completely unethical. The Prime Minister directed to enact laws to discourage such practices, if necessary. The Prime Minister directed to constitute a committee comprising of Federal Minister for Planning & Development, Minister for Law, Minister for Human Rights, Advisor to PM on Parliamentary Affairs and Advisor to PM on Interior for evaluating the recommendations presented by Ministry of Housing & Works.
Cabinet accorded approval for signing of Intergovernmental Protocol on Establishment of Joint Security Commission between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Cabinet ratified the decisions taken by Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases.

Cabinet approved appointment of four (04) Members of National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC).