Opposes mortgaging of F-9 Park
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday took notice of under-trial pending cases in international courts and summoned details of cases from authorities concerned.
As per details, the issue of under-trial cases in international courts raised in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting which was chaired by PM Imran Khan here in Islamabad.
In the meeting, some cabinet members expressed concerns over Pakistan losing cases in international courts. The federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Shireen Mazari told the cabinet that Pakistan has spent billions of rupees on under-trial cases and lost several cases despite paying huge amounts to lawyers.
Taking notice of the pending cases in international courts, the prime minister summoned details of under-trial cases and lawyers looking over those cases in international courts.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while opposing the mortgaging of F-9 Park in Islamabad has said that why such a proposal was tabled which gave the wrong impression.
As per details, Prime Minister Imran Khan during the federal cabinet meeting has opposed to mortgage F-9 Park for the issuance of Sukuk bonds and asked the Finance Secretary why such a proposal was made.
Briefing on Sukuk bonds, the finance secretary said that it was an Islamic bond and decision to issue Sukuk bonds was made to correct the mistakes made in the past. He said that it was just symbolic to mortgage F-9 park, in reality it has no affect.
In response, the Prime Minister said, “I know what a Sukuk bond is. The park should not be mortgaged even symbolically which is for public use. This has given the wrong impression.” If it was just symbolic and not practically then why not mortgage the PM house.
The Prime Minister said that the value of land should be taken into account for Sukuk bonds. A park built for the public should not be mortgaged. According to sources, a federal minister sarcastically told the finance secretary that if it was symbolic, then the president house should be mortgaged.
According to reports, later in the federal cabinet, it was proposed to mortgage Islamabad Club instead of F-9 Park. The Ministry of Finance will present a summary for the issuance of Sukuk bonds in exchange for the Islamabad Club.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Mayor Pir Adil Gilani has announced to move court against government’s decision to mortgage F-9 Park.
