Cabinet to take decisions for K-Electric in next session: Shibli Faraz

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz has said that the federal cabinet will take decisions for K-Electric and gas prices in its next session.

The statement came while addressing a press conference in Islamabad today (Tuesday) after the federal cabinet meeting, with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.

Earlier the sources informed that the federal cabinet failed to reach a decision on the issue of K Electric. During the meeting, Planning Minister Asad Umar and IT Minister Syed Aminul Haque opposed the raising power tariffs and said that the city was already witnessing prolonged load shedding, raising prices would be inappropriate.

Federal Minister Shibli Faraz further informed that PM Imran has directed all provinces to constitute Provincial Finance Commissions (PFC) to bring the less developed areas at par with developed areas.

He said, “Asad Umar will supervise the matters pertaining to PFC in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.”

Regarding the Senate elections, Shibli Faraz informed that the Prime Minister was determined to ensure transparency in Senate Elections. “Votes are being traded in Senate Session,” he added.

He further said that the federal government was working on developing a system to streamline the appointments of heads of national institutions. “Previous governments failed to devise a proper mechanism in this regard,” he added.  

Commenting on the federal cabinet decisions, he said that the cabinet had so far taken 1,759 decisions during its 93 sessions. “Authorities have started implementing 1,579 decisions, 28 decisions are delayed and 46 are due to be implemented,” he added.

Shibli Faraz informed that health projects were under consideration for the construction of hospitals under the public-private partnership. “The government is working on establishing Hajj Fund on the pattern of Malaysia model,” he remarked.

Referring to Pakistanis imprisoned in various countries, the Information Minister said that the cabinet was also apprised that a total of 11,376 Pakistanis are imprisoned in various countries.

“In this regard, the premier had directed relevant embassies to provide legal support to these prisoners and contact the concerned governments to ensure their release,” Shibli concluded.