PM Imran orders quick recovery of ‘missing’ SECP official

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz has informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken the notice of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Joint Director Sajid Gondal’s abduction.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today (Tuesday) after the federal cabinet meeting, Shibli Faraz has informed that the Prime Minister has directed the concerned authorities to leave no stone unturned for his recovery.

“The premier directed the IG Islamabad and interior ministry to ensure Gondal’s recovery through coordination with concerned stakeholders,” Shibli added.

When asked about the worsening law and order situation in Islamabad, the minister sought to defend the state of affairs. “A law and order situation always remains, but it is not as bad as you are saying,” he added.

The Information Minister appeared to play down the disappearance of SECP official, saying the capital city was safe enough for him, a minister, to drive alone at night.

He further said that being a minister, he confidently drives himself to various places in the capital at night. “However, we hope that Gondal is alive and pray that he does not suffer any harm,” Faraz remarked.

In order to facilitate the downtrodden and shelterless people, the Federal Cabinet has approved expanding the network of Panagahs across the country.

Shibli Faraz has informed that the concept of Panagah was very close to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s heart. “The Prime Minister believes to provide an honorable shelter to the poor,” he added.

The Information Minister said that the cabinet also approved to start a ferry service for pilgrims at Gwadar. “The cabinet also approved the closure of dysfunctional power plants,” he informed.

 “The Federal Cabinet also held a detailed discussion on the situation of Karachi and interior Sindh emerged as a result of heavy rains,” he added. The Minister said that the cabinet has constituted a special committee to estimate the losses incurred due to rains.

Commenting on the outstanding amount of media houses, the federal minister said that an amount of Rs 1.1 billion have so far been paid to the media houses.

Talking about the inflation, Shibli Faraz said that the government was making all-out efforts to reduce the impact of inflation in the wake of COVID-19. He expressed hope that the government will soon overcome inflation.