ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary has stated that the prime minister is the authority in terms of appointment of the director-general ISI; however, the appointment is made on the basis of consultations.
While briefing the media following the cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, he said Fateha was offered for the late Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.
About the appointment of the DG ISI, the minister said that the appointment of the DG ISI would be done after fulfilling all the legal requirements but did not specify when the notification would be issued.
He further stated that a long meeting was held between the prime minister and the army chief on Monday night, adding both have close cordial and pleasant relations with each other. Such relations between civil and military leadership are very important in the backdrop of the history of Pakistan, he added.
The minister further stated that the Prime Minister's Office would never take any step that would decrease respect and dignity of Pakistan's army or the Chief of Army Staff. Similarly, the Pakistan army or the Chief of Army Staff would not take any step that would lower the honour of the prime minister or the civilian setup. "The two have very close relationship with each other and the legal procedure would be adopted for the appointment of the new DG ISI and both have a consensus on this," claimed the minister for information.
The minister said that the basis for setting up Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority was to promote the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), besides it would also provide advice on curriculum and take steps to highlight the true teaching of Islam.
The federal minister said that the people in this country love the holy Prophet (PBUH) and he is Rehmatul-lil-Alameen; however, his identity has not yet been truly highlighted.
The minister said top scholars from within and outside the country would be made part of the authority.
Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum appointed DG ISI, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed posted as Peshawar corps commander
He said that the Cabinet was briefed on electronic voting machine and granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis.
To a question, he said that Shaukat Tarin would be holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and decision has already been taken to make him a senator; however, he would continue to work in accordance with the constitutional and legal procedures, till his election as senator.
Chaudhry said that the Governor of Balochistan has briefed the prime minister about the political situation there and we will proceed in this regard in accordance with the constitutional and legal procedure. He said the meeting also approved renewal of license for K-2 airways. The meeting was also informed about around 80 vacancies and 40 of them are for competitive exam.
The cabinet also decided that the Ministry of Interior would establish a new unit in Islamabad Police that would deal with the mobs and riots.
The meeting also decided to provide visa facility to those foreigners working on the CPEC projects and included abolished visa fee for those coming to Pakistan from Afghanistan, and decided to include Afghan businessmen in Pakistani visa list.
The cabinet ratified the ECC decision of October 7, 2021 except a Rs2.4billion grant for special economic zones that would be taken up in the next meeting.
The federal cabinet also constituted a sub-committee with the Minister for Energy and Minister for Ports and Shipping to devise a policy on drugs at Port Qasim.
Online facility for power of attorney has also been approved by the federal cabinet for overseas Pakistanis as well as approved Real Estate Regulation Development 2020. The meeting also approved recantation of the council of complaint of the PEMRA, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021