Federal probe into Broadsheet revelations to fix responsibility

| Information Minister says investigation will be completed within 45 days | A former judge, a senior officer from FIA, Attorney General Office, a senior lawyer and any officer nominated by Prime Minister will member of probe team | Mazari says committee empowered to produce any officer or document from any institute | Broadsheet was assigned to search illegal assets of Pakistanis in Asia, America and Europe: Fawad | Our strategy proved successful against coronavirus, PM tells cabinet

ISLAMABAD   -The Federal Cabinet has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the Broadsheet matter and fix the responsibility on those who illegally benefitted themselves, Information Minister Shibli Faraz announced on Tuesday. 

The meeting of the cabinet was held in Islamabad with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.

 Accompanied by Minister for Science Fawad Chaudhary and Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, the information minister during a press conference in Islamabad also said that the committee will be comprised of a former judge of High Court or Supreme Court, a senior officer from FIA, Attorney General Office, a senior lawyer and any officer nominated by the Prime Minister.

He said the ToRs of the committee have been formulated according to which it will complete the investigation within 45 days. The Minister said in light of the committee’s recommendations strict action will be taken against the culprits who looted the national exchequer.

He said Broadsheet case is based on facts revealing the corruption stories of previous rulers. Commenting on PDM’s protest in front of Election Commission Office, Shibli Faraz expressed gratitude to the people of twin cities for rejecting the narrative of opposition.

Fawad Chaudhary, on this occasion, said that the Broadsheet was registered in 1999 during Pervez Musharraf era, helped the then government and the newly established NAB to track down foreign assets purchased by Pakistanis through ill-gotten wealth.

He said Broadsheet was assigned to search illegal assets of Pakistanis in Asia, America and Europe. He said the company exposed the illegal properties of Sharif family in different countries. Shireen Mazari said the inquiry committee to investigate the Broadsheet matter has been empowered to produce any officer or document from any institute so that responsibility could be fixed.

Also, the Federal Cabinet was informed on Tuesday that due to the timely decision of the Prime Minister, about 95 percent of the people who had lost their jobs got reinstated within few months.

Planning Minister Asad Umar briefed the Cabinet on the impact of the Corona pandemic on the basis of a recent survey conducted by the Federal Bureau of Statistics, which had almost wiped out the income of about 20 million people. He said wise strategy of the government, the policy of smart lockdown instead of complete lockdown and decision making in the construction and manufacturing sector restored the income of 20 million people.

Pandemic 

Minister for Planning also stated that transport sector is also working with full potential. During the lockdown, 80 percent people associated with construction sector, 72 percent with manufacturing while 67 percent associated with transport affected severely.

The federal cabinet meeting was also informed that during coronavirus lockdown, 47 percent populace of the country lost their savings while 30 percent people had started living on debts from others.

Keeping in view difficulties of this section of society, Prime Minister Imran khan observed a balanced strategy on lockdown and a largest economy stimulus was announced by the government.

Similarly, through Ehsaas Program, cash grants were distributed among deserving families. Owing to effective strategy of NCOC, situation moved towards betterment and Pakistan’s strategy to keep control on outbreak of Coronavirus was appreciated worldwide.

Minister for Planning also briefed the cabinet that from November 2020, manufacturing scale escalated upto 14.5 percent, which was the largest ratio in last 12 years. Positive implications were recorded on to timely decisions of Prime Minister Imran khan for downtrodden sections of society.

Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh briefing the cabinet on comparative analysis on national economy regarding negative implications said that Pakistan’s economy remained stable and positive as Compare to other countries.

During last fiscal year, GDP ratio of Pakistan witnessed a reduction of minus 0.5 percent. On other side, US GDP reduced to 4.6 percent, Sri Lanka witnessed a reduction of minus 4.6 percent, Iran GDP reduced to minus Five percent, India’s GDP reduced to Minus 10.2 percent. While Turkey’s GDP reduced to minus 5.5 percent. 

Ehsaas Program

Prime Minister Imran khan lauding efforts of NCOC, Finance Ministry and Ehsaas Program for timely distribution of cash grants among deserving families said that Government has prioritized to support the poor sections of society.

A balanced approach was observed keeping in view difficulties of downtrodden segments of society. Severe implications could come, if complete lockdown had implemented in the country.

Prime minister said that PTI government had to take some tough decisions to stabilise the national economy, which put some affects of poor sections of the country. People supported the government and survey based data of statistics department is witness that our strategy proved successful against coronavirus.

Owing to undertakings of the government, Corona cases witnessed reduction and burden on hospitals came to relief.

Prime minister said that NCOC model proved successful, and with consultation of all respective stakeholders, strategy proved a success to keep check on coronavirus. Pakistan was the first country, which devised strategy keeping in view difficulties of poor segments of society.

On other side, with outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic in India, poverty ratio multiplied in India.

Civil Services Reforms

The federal cabinet was also briefed in detail on undertakings taken in last six months regarding Civil Services Reforms. The meeting was informed that Rules of Civil Services have been reformed keeping in view modern requirements and progress approach.

Reforms have been made in Civil Services by identifying complexities in Civil Services structure regarding performance, discipline, promotion, retirement issues.

The federal cabinet was also briefed on amendments in PPRA rules and it was stated that these rules have been drafted with complete explanation for respective standard and for facilitating the private and government sectors and to keep standards up to international status.

Prime Minister appreciated the steps taken regarding Civil Service Reforms and amendments in PPRA rules and directed the ministries to improve their performances in the light of these reforms and amendments. He asked the ministries to take steps for introducing ease of doing business.

The federal cabinet has also given approval of tax relaxation on profit from Panda Bonds Business in China market under the second schedule of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

The federal cabinet also gave approval of the appointment of Ali Mehdi as Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Development Fund Limited under the rules of Public Sector Companies 2013. The federal cabinet has given approval in six months extension in essential services (maintenance) Act 1952 for employees of Pakistan Petroleum Limited.

The federal cabinet gave approval to give special financial award to core committee members of Power Division who played role in saving the country from big financial loss in Rental Power Project.

The federal cabinet has given approval of nomination of Board members or Karachi Dock Labour under Marry Times Division. The federal cabinet has also given approval of Board of Directors of National Transmission and Dispatch Company under Power Division.