Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Tuesday said the federal cabinet had decided to make the inquiry report on power sector public.
The nine-member commission headed by former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Mohammad Ali was formed in 2019 to investigate the reasons behind the high cost of electricity especially in connection with independent power producers (IPPs).
While talking to media after Cabinet meeting, the minister said the federal cabinet had also decided to form an inquiry commission to investigate those accused of corruption in the power sector.
He said the commission would be tasked to complete its report within 90 days.
He added the commission would carry out a detailed investigation using forensic help to come to its findings.
He said the government would provide all assistance the commission would require.
He said that ensuring transparency in governance was the government's number one priority.
He added that the report pointed out that the law was violated by those involved in the power sector.
He said, "according to the report, government institutions are also involved in corruption. Anybody who has violated the law and has affected the people of Pakistan will not be spared. The government will fully act on the recommendations of the inquiry commission without looking at who is involved."
He said the government wanted to bring those responsible to task, while "following due process of law and not through a media trial."
Meanwhile, the federal cabinet on Tuesday approved tax exemption on various services relating to the construction industry.
The cabinet also decided to send chloroquine tablets to some of the countries to help them in their time of need.
Briefing media about decisions taken by the cabinet here on Tuesday, Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that taxes on services, which came under the Islamabad Capital Territory (Tax on Services) Ordinance 2001, had been amended and exemptions provided.
She said tax on low-cost housing units to be constructed under the Naya Pakistan Housing Project had also been made zero-rated.
"The current five per cent tax on construction services, taxes on services provided by property dealers and real estate agents, and taxes on services provided by property developers have been reduced to zero," she added.
The SAPM added that all "plumbers, electricians, labourers and investors" and other daily wagers and stakeholders would be protected under the amendments to the legislation.
"The prime minister reiterated during the cabinet meeting that when the wheels of the industry starts turning, the stove of the labourer's home starts burning," she said.
The special assistant said the Cabinet also approved export of chloroquine to the US, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Italy, Qatar, Turkey and Kazakhstan as Pakistan had additional stock of this drug.
One million chloroquine tablets will be sent to Saudi Arabia and the US each, 500,000 to Turkey and Italy each, five million to the United Kingdom, 700,000 to Kazakhstan, and 300,000 to Qatar, she said.
The SAPM added that Prime Minister Imran Khan informed the cabinet that leaders of some countries had called him and expressed a desire to import the tablets from Pakistan following some encouraging results in treating the coronavirus.
"Pakistan has always been asking these countries for something or the other. So, for the sake of humanity and to improve Pakistan's credibility and face value, this is a good chance to help them in this time of need," she said.
She also said that Pakistan had some 40 million tablets in stock, and possessed the raw material to make even more.
Dr Awan said the cabinet also approved reforms in Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to ensure effective implementation of anti-hoarding laws and to protect rights of the common person.
She also said the cabinet approved the decision made by the Cabinet Committee for Power on April 20th.
The SAPM added that the cabinet also approved the amendments to the Ogra Ordinance.
Dr Awan shared that Prime Minister Imran Khan also approved the removal of the chairman of the CCP.
She added that the cabinet approved the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Law.
The special assistant said approval to reconstitute National Commission for Minorities was also granted in the meeting.
The SAPM also revealed that the cabinet approved reforms in the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
She added that the prime minister directed that under the reforms, the commission should constitute a majority of members from among members of minority communities instead of Muslims, and the chairman should also be from among the minorities.
"The commission will now constitute two Muslims, two Hindus, three Christians, one Sikh, one Parsi and one member from the Kalasha community, while the chairman of the commission will also be from among the minorities."
Dr Awan said the cabinet also approved a uniform policy regarding official residences of government employees, withdrawing all perks granted under the 1991 Order.
She said now a government employee could retain his official residence six months after reaching superannuation.
The SAPM criticised the "opposition's role" in the pandemic, adding that a "political statement" was being made.
She was referring to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)'s warning to PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, after which the opposition PML-N demanded "live broadcast of questioning from him" during his appearance.
The SAPM quipped that opposition members had suddenly started "gracing media screens" and became 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 to help and support the government's efforts to deal with the pandemic.
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