Proposed increase in prices of POL products deferred

The federal cabinet on Tuesday deferred the proposed increase in prices of petroleum products and decided to refer it to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet to justify the increase. Speaking at a news conference after the cabinet meeting, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information & Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan stated that the summary of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to raise petroleum prices was reviewed, and the Prime Minister realising the problems being faced by people decided to send this matter to the ECC to justify the increase. The decision to this effect will be taken later.
She said that the cabinet received the summary of OGRA recommending Rs 14.37 per litre increase in the price of petrol while the meeting was of the view that increases just before the commencement of Holy month of Ramzan will further increase inflation in the country. "Most of the cabinet members showed their concern over OGRA''s recommendations to jack up petroleum prices," she further added. The OGRA also recommended an increase of Rs 4.89 per litre in the price of high-speed diesel.
The cabinet also decided to hold an audit of Rs 1300 billion circular debt in order to fix the responsibility on those who have been responsible for this increase and report the facts to the next cabinet meeting.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said the previous Punjab government left a debt of Rs 100 billion, besides bounced cheques of Rs 80 billion and Rs 50 billion against provident fund. However, due to good governance and austerity measures taken by the incumbent government, a saving of Rs 100 billion has been made at the federal level, she claimed.
The federal cabinet has decided to observe the office timings from 10:00am to 4:00pm during the holy month of Ramazan to provide maximum relief to people observing fast without compromising their productivity, she said while adding that a special committee has been assigned the responsibility to prepare a Ramazan package to provide maximum relief to the masses. She said the committee will also make sure that no load-shedding is done during the holy month.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet was taken into confidence regarding the proposed local government system in Punjab that will be modelled on the one already implemented successfully in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
She said the new local government system will devolve the powers at the grassroots level and empower local people. The special assistant to prime minister on information said cabinet discussed in detail five legislative bills that will help people resolve their problems as part of people-friendly agenda of the PTI government.
She said enforcement of Women Property Rights Bill will ensure that women get their due share in inheritance. Amendments in the Code of Civil Procedure will help decide the civil cases swiftly. Similarly, the Succession Certificates will now be issued by NADRA and heirs can get these within a fortnight, saving their precious time and hassle. Firdous Ashiq Awan said the Whistle Blower Protection bill will also be introduced to provide protection to whistleblowers regarding corruption in various public institutions.
She said an Anti-Corporal Punishment bill will also be tabled soon in the Parliament to discourage the physical punishment and abuse at schools. She said a bill named Zainab Alert will also be introduced to stop child sexual abuse. The Prime Minister directed to ensure that austerity steps are implemented at both federal and provincial levels, she said.
She said the cabinet was also taken into confidence on various initiatives taken by Task Force on Institutional Reforms in various institutions. Awan said the cabinet congratulated the Prime Minister on his successful visit to China and signing of important agreements on socio-economic development, free trade and agriculture.
Commenting on Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Firdous Ashiq Awan said not every tribal man is agreeing to the ideology of PTM and some anti-Pakistan elements have taken over the party. "Such elements will be dealt with an iron hand," she continued. "The government and the Armed Forces are on the same page in this context," she maintained.
On the occasion, Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda said the government has decided to build Mohmand Dam and in this regard the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone on Thursday (tomorrow). He added that former chief justice Saqib Nisar has also been invited to attend the ceremony.
"The dam construction is 54 years old project, even before my birth," he said and added that the the PTI government will complete this project.
The government is going to lay 36 bills in the Parliament aimed at solving the problems of the people, she said adding that opposition will also be taken on board on these bills. "We are facing challenges on economic front and without people''s support, they cannot be addressed," she added.
Awan said that tourism is turning out to be a big industry in the country and the Prime Minister wants to make the country a hub of tourism. The static economy will turn into functional economy and the Prime Minister has directed to bring reforms to make tourism as most effective. She further said tourism will give boost to other allied industries like food, transport and others.