Cabinet decides to set up 'special' media tribunals

The government on Tuesday decided to set up 'special' media tribunals to resolve issues relating to media industry and stakeholders. In a post-cabinet briefing, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that media tribunals will replace Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority's Council of Complaints to resolve issues pertaining to media and other stakeholders.
The special assistant said the tribunals will decide a matter within 90 days. She said a bill in this regard will be tabled in the National Assembly. She said that higher judiciary will patronize these tribunals. She said all the pending cases with Pemra will be referred to media tribunals.
She said Prime Minister Imran Khan and the government believe in facilitation and empowerment of media. She said establishment of media tribunals is an attempt to introduce best practices, norms and code of conduct of the democratic societies of the world. She said the cabinet decided to file a review petition against the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP's) decision legitimizing Maryam Nawaz's political designation. Awan said that Maryam Nawaz is a convicted person and she cannot hold office of a political party under the law.
The special assistant said that Prime Minister Imran Khan also took the cabinet into confidence over his upcoming visit to the United States. She said the Prime Minister apprised the cabinet of his agenda and priorities to highlight the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly session. The special assistant said that the cabinet approved Insaf Health Cards for transgender class across Pakistan. She said that around 5,000 such people exist in Pakistan and their data is being compiled with the help of National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA).
She said the cabinet decided to establish old age homes in the name of 'Maskan' at district-level under Ehsaas programme for the elderly people in the country. She said first 'Maskan' will be established in Sialkot as a pilot project, which will be replicated in rest of the country at a later stage. The Prime Minister has directed the concerned ministry to prepare priorities in this regard, she added.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said extension of one-time work visa for Chinese citizens was also approved to ensure unhindered work on the development projects being completed with Chinese cooperation in Pakistan.
She said the Prime Minister also directed to fully implement the deadline for filling the vacant posts in various government departments. The Special Assistant informed that the cabinet approved transfer of erstwhile FATA's Zakat funds to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
She said 244 rehabilitation centers will be established for the treatment of drug addicts. She said prevention from drugs will be made part of the syllabus to save youth from falling prey to such menace. Regarding growing incidents of dengue, she said the federal government has instructed provinces to evolve an effective strategy to control the disease. She said every possible step will be taken to provide medical assistance to patients suffering from dengue.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet approved abolishing premium on purchase of new cars.