Will send chloroquine tablets to ‘friendly nations’: Firdous Awan

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that the federal cabinet has decided to send chloroquine tablets to [friendly nations] in order to help them in a tough situation.

Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the federal cabinet, she said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has informed the cabinet that some countries have expressed the stern need of the tablets from Pakistan following the coronavirus situation.

She said that Pakistan would send 5 million chloroquine tablets to the United Kingdom, one million to Saudi Arabia and the United States, 500,000 tablets to Turkey and Italy, 700,000 to Kazakhstan and 300,000 to Qatar.

She further said, “For the sake of humanity and to improve Pakistan’s credibility, it is a great opportunity to help those countries in this ongoing coronavirus situation.”

The Special Assistant also revealed that Pakistan had some 40 million tablets in stock and possessed the raw material to make even more.

‘Tax exemptions for construction industry’

Firdous Ashiq Awan also announced that the federal cabinet has approved tax exemptions for the construction industry.

In this regard, she informed that that taxes on services which come under the Islamabad Capital Territory (Tax on Services) Ordinance 2001 have been amended and exemptions provided

She further said that tax on services provided by property dealers, real estate agents, property developers and promoters has been reduced from five percent to zero.

Firdous Awan also said that the relief in the construction industry will benefit daily wagers, plumbers, carpenters, developers and other stakeholders of this sector.

‘National Commission for Minorities’

The Special Assistant also informed that the federal cabinet has approved reforms in National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

In this regard, she said, “Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the concerned authorities that more representation should be given to minorities instead of Muslims.”

“The commission will now constitute two Muslims, two Hindus, three Christians, one Sikh, one Parsi and one member from the Kalash community while the chairman of the commission will also be from among the minorities,” she added.

‘Reforms in CCP’

She also announced that the cabinet has approved reforms in the Competition Commission of Pakistan to prevent cartelization against the public interest.

Firdous Awan said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was determined to make CCP a powerful institution to safeguard the public interest.

She said unfortunately, CCP became a puppet in the hands of influential individuals and remained busy to protect those people instead of protecting the interests of the common masses.

‘Opposition’

Firdous Awan also criticised the opposition’s role in the coronavirus pandemic. The SAPM quipped that opposition members had suddenly started gracing media screens and become Shehbaz’s representatives rather than of the people they were elected to represent.

She advised them to talk to the people about corona pains rather than NAB pains and join hands with the government to deal with the pandemic.