The federal cabinet has approved the construction of Dasu Dam which will start in the upcoming month.
This was announced by Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan while briefing the media persons about the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. She said that Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already approved construction of Dasu Dam.
Regarding Nawaz Sharif's bail approved by the Islamabad High Court, Awan said that the government will obey court's directions. She said Prime Minister Imran Khan has already made it clear that no politics should be done on health issue of anybody. She said the cabinet meeting was informed that the suspension of punishment has been granted, adding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), not government, is prosecution in this case.
She said, "We want to see a healthy Nawaz Sharif." The government has provided the best facilities to Sharif and the government never received any application from Nawaz seeking treatment abroad. The government can't say anything about this unless they send any application."
Regarding the JUI-F's 'long march', she said the government will not create any hurdle in the way of march as it believes in democratic norms and expects the same from the opposition. She said there is no need to talk about the Maulana since the social media has already witnessed the march's preparations and proceedings.
Asked about Asif Ali Zardari's health, she said that Pakistan People's Party is selling the same story that Zardari is being victimized and has not been given any sort of relief. She said Nawaz Sharif's lawyer fought the case in court for seeking relief. The court gave him temporary relief. She said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi too has health issues. She said, "We are not doing politics over health condition. We are not fighting with someone who has no capacity."
She said the door has been opened for all prisoners to get relief under health conditions. "Let's see how many other prisoners get relief on weekends," she added.
She said the cabinet also discussed the public as well as investment friendly legislation/laws. She said that decision regarding funds related to the welfare of artists has been postponed.
She said Ehsas Undergraduate Program will be launched next month and the cabinet approved giving 50,000 scholarships in the next four years. She said scholarships will be awarded on merit-cum-need basis and deserving students of 120 public sector universities will be eligible for the award.
She said the cabinet also granted approval for construction of high-rise buildings in different cities of the country, including Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore after identification of air routes by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Dr Awan said the cabinet approved resolution of all the pending issues with Russia under various memoranda of understanding. She said the meeting also discussed people as well as investment-friendly laws.
She said the cabinet also approved new board of directors of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).
She said appointment of chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) too got cabinet's nod. Awan said Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the ETPB to get state properties vacated from illegal occupants and utilize them for public welfare.
Responding to a point raised by a journalist on a recent notification of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the special assistant said the government is committed to empowering institutions and it does not believe in interfering in their domain.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019