ISLAMABAD – Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussein has said that coronavirus situation in the country specifically in Sindh and Balochistan is becoming alarming and it could deteriorate further if prevailing situation is not controlled in next two weeks.
While briefing media on decisions taken in the federal Cabinet meeting, he said Asad Umar briefed federal Cabinet on coronavirus situation in the country. He said presently, 4200 coronavirus patients are in Intensive Care Unit with critical condition while in previous wave of coronavirus, 3400 patients were declared critical in the country. If preventive measures are not observed in next two weeks, situation could further deteriorate in the country, he added.
He said that the Cabinet has decided to appoint Rangers in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rahimyar Khan, Multan, Chakwal and Rawalpindi following the deteriorating law and order situation. Commenting on reshuffle in Cabinet, he said that it is prerogative of Prime Minister Imran khan to shuffle Cabinet. He said Jehangir Khan Tareen is an important leader of PTI and being an businessmen he has relations with different persons and people come to visit him. He said that it is tradition of PTI that any leader of PTI who face any allegations, he faces them in courts.
Earlier, Aleem Khan and Sibtain Khan had to face allegations and they came back after redressing their charges, he added. He said that any group or organisation will not be allowed to dictate the Government by accumulating people on roads.
Narrative of sending govt home ‘buried’ with PDM’s demise: Fawad
Commenting on mega project of Lahore Business District, the Minister said that 350 Acre land from Walton Airport and 270 Acre land from Wahdat colony will be utilised for Lahore Business District.
Minister for Science and Technology said that mechanism of Cabinet proceedings has been made digitalised and all Cabinet members will be facilitated with tabloids from next week.
All proceedings and agenda of Cabinet meetings will be transferred in a digitalised mechanism with an paperless procedure, said Fawad Chaudhry.
The Minister stated that through this digitalized process, Cabinet from next week will become paperless and with this initiative, Government will save annually Rs 510 million.
The Cabinet decided to appoint Babar Mahraj Shaami as CEO Pakistan Development Authority while Mansoor Ahmed has been appointed as CEO KTDMC, he said.
He said that overseas Pakistanis are being facilitated to get their succession certificate from Pakistan’s embassies abroad.
Commenting on import of Corona vaccine, the Minister said that a comprehensive mechanism is being made to ensure availability of Corona vaccine in the country.
Commenting on port charges in the country, he said that Pakistan has not increased port charges since 1992-94.
He added that Pakistan is working on an effective chain of logistics and transport mechanism, which includes trains, private sector transportation and NLC.
To study all these elements effectively, a logistics Committee has been constituted in the chair of Ali Saudi comprising of course commerce minister, finance minister and respective ministers.
This committee will draft it’s recommendations for all respective solutions, which will be presented before the Cabinet, said Fawad Chaudhry.
Commenting about agricultural products and minerals and fruits of Pakistan, he said that a registration authority is being established to identify distinction of agricultural and non agricultural products of Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan’s mangoes Sindhri,Chaunsa which have very good market all over the world could be registered while minerals and stones for exports could be registered with mineral department.
He said that keeping in view difficulties of litigants and lawyers in Islamabad, the federal cabinet has decided to establish a Litigants Facilitation Center in Islamabad and CDA will make this building in precincts of the court to facilitate both the lawyers and litigants as lawyers will be provided facility to make their chambers there.
He said that the appointment for alternate energy board CEO was decided and Cabinet decided that Shahjehan Mirza will perform his additional responsibilities till appointment of new CEO.
He said Cabinet has given approval of Mansoor Ahmad as KTDC.
He said Federal Cabinet has given approval of extension in service of Chairman CDA. He said the appointment of Chairperson National Commission for Women will be done in light of Islamabad High Court direction.
Policy for Pilgrims Management was also approved with amendment in Rules of Business, while decisions taken in the meeting of ECC and Cabinet Committee on Energy were also endorsed, said Fawad Chaudhry.
He said that Midterm Budget Strategy Paper 2021-22 to 2023-24 was put before the federal Cabinet and issues on economy on inflation ratio, current account balance and respective economic issues were part of cabinet briefing and economic team will make a detailed briefing later.
He said a record foreign remittances of 21.5 billion Dollars have been received in the country, which demonstrates trust of overseas Pakistanis on Prime Minister Imran khan.
He said that large scale manufacturing also boost comparivaly to last year.
The Cabinet was informed that in view of Fiscal policy, two objectives have been achieved relating to down ratio of debts.
The cabinet was informed that government taking measures to increase country’s foreign exchange reserves, Fawad said.
Responding to a question, he said that prices of flour and sugar are declining and utility Store sales is about to touch one billion rupees.
He said that Utility Stores corporation is going to become a sustainable institution.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Tuesday said that the anti-government narrative of opposition has died after the Pakistan Peoples Party’s split from Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
In a tweet, the federal minister advised the opposition to get out of the narrative of resignations and protests now and come on reform agenda.
“We have given suggestions for improving the electoral process and waiting for your suggestions; go ahead”, he asked the opposition.
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