ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (Sept 22) with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, will discuss the implications of All Parties Conference (APC) of opposition parties on the future political scenario of the country, well informed sources told Business Recorder.
On Sunday, the country's opposition political parties demanded that the Prime Minister resign from his office. The APC has decided to start agitation in the country to oust the incumbent government by January or February 2021, a month or two prior to the Senate Elections; however, the government has begun consultations to formulate a counter strategy.
The Cabinet will also discuss prices of essential items and progress on planned import of sugar and wheat in the light of decisions taken. According to Federal Ministers including Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the government is under considerable pressure from the general public due to high inflation and other issues not from the political parties whose leadership is facing cases in NAB. The Cabinet members will raise individual issues related to their Ministries which need attention of Prime Minister.
The cabinet is expected to discuss losses to crops due to recent torrential rains in provinces and review the measures taken so far in this regard. Covid situation, Karachi package and other affiliated issues will also be discussed in the meeting.
The cabinet has the following agenda: (i) construction of mode prison-amendment in the Master Plan of Islamabad to the extent of adjustment in the alignment of 17th Avenue due to westwards displacement of boundary wall of Model Prison in sector H-16, Islamabad ;(ii) directions of Islamabad High Court in writ petition No. 2407/2020;(iii) presentation on automation of Cabinet procedures;(iv) reclassification of Cantonments;(v) declaration of varied Constitution for Cantonment Boars;(vi) appointment of Justice (retired) Muhammad Musa Leghari- Chairperson (BS 21) in Environmental Tribunal, Islamabad under Environmental Protection Act, 1997(XXXIV of 1997) ;(v) terms and conditions of the appointment of acting Chairman/ Chairman, Pakistan Islands Development Authority, Karachi; (vi) approval for reduction in maximum retail price of Remdesivir-100 mg injection ;(vii) approval of maximum retail prices of anti-cancer, cardiac and lifesaving drugs and ;(viii) approval for signing the country cooperation agreement between Ministry of Foreign Affairs(Pakistan) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).
Unconfirmed reports suggest that pacts signed with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) maybe tabled in the cabinet meeting as Prime Minister has already been briefed on the MoUs in detail. The sources said some more agenda items can be tabled before the federal cabinet with the permission of Prime Minister as Chairman of the Cabinet.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020