-Gives one week to finalise findings in artificial crisis
-Seeks divising comprehensive fuel pricing policy
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Expressing displeasure over non-submission of a final probe report on the wheat and sugar crisis, Prime Minister Imran Khan gave the authorities concerned one week to submit the report without fail, media reported.
During a federal cabinet meeting that took up a nine-point agenda in Islamabad today, the premier was briefed on the progress so far made regarding the probe into a shortage of flour and sugar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said while briefing media about the meeting.
The cabinet approved the granting of powers of Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act 2017 to the committee to ascertain those who were responsible for the shortage of these commodities in the country.
The cabinet was also briefed on the coronavirus situation in the country. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari and Special Assistant on National Health Dr Zafar Mirza apprised the cabinet of their talks with parents of Pakistani students in China and steps taken for their welfare.
The cabinet endorsed its earlier decision not to export surgical masks keeping in view the coronavirus situation in the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Khan ordered uniform pay scales of government employees to avoid any
discrimination. Advisor on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh was instructed to hold talks with striking employees and also work with central and provincial governments to remove this disparity. The cabinet sought proposals in this regard so that sense of deprivation among employees be removed.
SAPM Awan said people have high expectations from this government and all steps would be taken to ensure it.
The cabinet approved resignation of Chairman BOI Zubair Gilani who gave it on personal reasons. The special assistant said Prime Minister Khan was also informed of the public interest initiatives of various ministries.
The premier said that the PTI government inherited energy crisis and all the agreements were made during the tenure of previous governments. However, the people have to face the consequences of these decisions. It was decided that energy issue will be deliberated upon in next meeting of cabinet.
The cabinet reiterated its decision not to resume trade with India due to its suppression of Muslims in Occupied Kashmir and India. The federal government headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday decided to introduce a comprehensive strategy for determining and fixing petroleum prices in the country, media reported.
It was decided during a meeting chaired by the premier today where he was briefed over the factors affecting the import and pricing of the petroleum products. The policy will help transfer maximum benefit of lower fuel prices to masses.
During the briefing, it was said that the previous governments failed to devise a proper strategy dealing with the demand and supply of the fuel products. “No measures were taken to lower the transportation and other related expenditures causing burden on the masses who had to bear the brunt of increased fuel prices,” it said. The prime minister expressed concern over the matter and said that the negligence and mismanagement of the previous governments had cost the masses dearly.
“Lack of planning regarding lowering related costs on fuel products depict their sheer incompetence,” he said adding that the incumbent government would focus on long term planning and would not adopt short term measures to resolve the matter. It is pertinent to mention here that on February 29, the government announced a major reduction in petrol and diesel prices for the month of March in order to provide some relief to the inflation-hit masses. The price of light diesel has been decreased by Rs7 to Rs77.51 per litre. The new prices will be effective from March 1. The government slashed the price of kerosene oil by 7 rupees to 77.51 rupees.
Moreover, Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday said that fruits of the reforms and steps taken in right direction have started reaching people. In a series of tweets, the special assistant said public progress and prosperity is the primary objective of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
