MPs’ panel to oversee NAP’s implementation

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Thursday that a committee comprising parliamentary leaders would oversee the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP).

Sharing details of the cabinet meeting, which was held on Thursday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, the minister said the forum decided to first have consultations with parliamentary leaders and then finalise the broader strategy of dealing with banned outfits.

Fawad Chaudhry said the National Action Plan (NAP) was underway since 2014, but due to certain reasons, it was not in the media focus. He explained that as far as implementation of the NAP was concerned, the merger of erstwhile Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a major step in that direction.

Fawad noted the cabinet decided to take opposition into confidence on the national security issues and strategy about action against proscribed outfits would be finalised in consultations with the parliamentary leaders of the political parties.

He said that under the NAP, it had been made clear that Pakistan would not allow anyone to use its soil against any other country. He pointed out there was consensus and national unity and the cabinet decided to maintain that spirit in future as well.

The minister noted that Pakistan wanted to improve its economy and for achievement that goal, consensus and unity in the country was crucial. He said the activities of proscribed organisations had already been banned in the country. However, in order to ensure compliance with the Financial Action Task Force, additional measures were being taken.

Fawad said the entire world had appreciated Pakistan’s stance during the recent stand-off with India while Indian narrative had been totally rejected across the world. He pointed out that international press, which in the past used to be hostile, had been appreciating Pakistan's steps for de-escalation of tensions in the region, whereas Indian PM Modi and India had become a laughing stock.

Fawad Chaudhry said that the cases against PML-N and PPP leadership had been registered during their own tenure which were under investigation in the past and now they have started maturing and action was being taken against the accused.

Moreover, he said, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was an independent institution and its officials were not appointed by the present government and it has nothing to do with the actions of the Bureau.

Fawad explained that during the cabinet meeting, Imran Khan directed the Punjab government to provide best medical treatment to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The minister quoted Imran Khan as saying that Nawaz should be treated in the hospital and by the doctor of his choice and the recommendations of medical board should also be implemented. He said the PTI government did not believe in victimisation of political opponents and renewal of Air Blue licence in the meeting was manifestation of this fact.

Fawad said it was strange that despite remaining in power for three decades, the PML-N leaders could not build even a single hospital where they could be treated. He said had such situation happened in any other country, the political careers of the persons responsible would have come to an end.

About the decisions taken by the cabinet, he said, the meeting discussed the landmark achievements and objectives set by the government. Fawad said the prime minister emphasised to devise policies to save the poor segments of society from the inflation. In this regard, a poverty alleviation programme is being finalized that will be announced soon. He said the Ministry of Law is working on various bills relating to human rights and these will be tabled soon into Parliament. He said the cabinet approved the decisions of the ECC taken in its meeting earlier and added Asim Saeed has been appointed Managing Director Pakistan Software Export Board.

The cabinet also expressed satisfaction about the handling of standoff with India in the wake of Palwama suicide attack and response to the Indian aggression given by the Pakistan’s armed forces. The members of the cabinet eulogized Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sagacity in dealing with the situation.

The prime minister briefed his cabinet colleagues about the steps that culminated in de-escalation. He assured the cabinet members that the nation and armed forces are fully prepared and capable to thwart any future misadventure.

The cabinet approved renewal of Regular Public Transport (RPT) Licence of M/s Airblue Limited with effect from 20 November, 2018, to 19 November, 2019. It is stated that the Airblue is owned by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The cabinet expressed satisfaction over the steady progress being made in critical areas such as legal reforms, introduction of a new local government system to empower people at grassroots level, promotion of Green Growth, implementation of select water initiatives, FATA reforms, Balochistan reconciliation, poverty alleviation, Sarmaya-e-Pakistan and National Agriculture Emergency Programme etc. Progress on Police reforms, South Punjab and Karachi transformation was also discussed.

On economic front, progress on revival of manufacturing and SME sector, financial inclusion, prime minister’s five million housing projects, tourism, tax reforms, ease of doing business and energy sector was also discussed in detail. Reforms in social sector i.e. education, health and waste-management system etc. were also reviewed.

Adviser on climate change briefed the Cabinet about the progress made so far in promoting Green Growth Programme. The cabinet was also briefed about Karachi Green Metro project and Recharge Pakistan Programme.

The Cabinet approved signing of MoU on Bilateral Political Consultation between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Lithuania. The cabinet approved signing/ratification of the OIC Charter agreements and treaties concluded during the 46th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held in Abu Dhabi, UAE from 01-2 March 2019. The cabinet approved signing of Visa Abolition Agreement between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Republic of Cuba for diplomatic, official and service passport holders. The cabinet was also briefed on the progress about identification of state-owned assets by all ministries/divisions. The cabinet approved the proposal regarding reconstitution of Board of Directors of Pakistan Revenue Automation (Private) Limited. Re-appointment of Dr Muhammad Iqbal and Dr Syed Muhammad Arif as Members Governing Council of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics under Section-7 of the General Statistics (Re-Organisation) Act, 2011 was approved by the federal cabinet. The cabinet ratified the decisions taken by Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCE) in its meeting held on 27 February 2019. The cabinet also approved Heads of the Terms of the Host Government Agreement between Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and TAPI Pipeline Company Limited on implementing TAPI Gas Pipeline project.