PESHAWAR - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government inducted some news faces in the provincial cabinet while the portfolio of Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai was replaced with the provincial minister for industries.
Briefing the media on cabinet meeting, Provincial Minister for Information and Public Relation Shah Farman said that though the names of ministers have been announced, their portfolios would be announced later.
He said that the newly inducted ministers include Qalandar Lodhi, Mushtaq Ghani, Ziaullah Afridi, Mian Jamshed and Ikramullah Gandhapur while provincial minister for Information Technology Shahram Khan Tarakai has been designated as senior minister. Shah Farman said that it is still not confirmed that who will be given the health portfolio as former health minister Shaukat Yousafzai has been appointed as Minister for Industries.
Regarding cabinet meeting, the information minister said the cabinet has taken some important decisions and approved drafts of several bills, which include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Injured Persons Medical Aid Bill, 2013. He said according to this bill the medical practitioners would be obligated to provide emergency treatment to any accidentally injured person with necessary legal cover.
According to this bill, the police will not pressurise the doctors for changing the medical report and the patient would not be shifted to other hospital until his complete recovery.
The police will not tease those persons, who bring the injured person to hospital and in this connection an awareness campaign will soon be launched among general police and doctors.
Shah Farman said that cabinet also approved Legislation in Auqaf, Haj, Religious and Minority Affairs, Department in pursuance of the 18th constitutional amendment which include Protection of Commercial Properties of Minorities Ordinance, 2001, the Hindu Disposition of Property Act, 1916, The Evacuee Trust Properties (Management & Disposal) Act 1975.
The cabinet meeting has also approved a draft bill on the name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Citizen Bill 2014. According this bill a nine-member committee under chairmanship of social welfare minister would be formed who will prepare recommendations to take necessary steps for the welfare of senior citizens. He said that senior citizens would be provided medical aid as well free residential facilities.
Another bill regarding censorship of motion pictures, videos was approved which aimed to keep check on obscene and violent characters in films as well as dramas, which misguide the children. After discussing various aspects of this bill, a committee comprising Shah Farman, Mian Jamshedudine and Shaukat Ali who will prepare detail report on this bill.
Another bill on the name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ministers (salaries, allowances and privileges bill) also approved by the cabinet and for this purpose a committee under secretary law was formed to look into this matter.
Another draft of a bill regarding amendments in the Motor-Vehicle Ordinance, 1965 relating to excel load, control and violations was approved by the cabinet and the amount of fine would be increased up to fifty per cent.
Similarly, a draft bill regarding environmental protection was also approved and in this connection a committee was formed to suggest ban on plastic bags.
Similarly, a draft bill for increasing the fee of PMS examination was also approved by the cabinet according to which fee would be increased from Rs250 to 950.