ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Hussain Chaudhry said Tuesday that the federal cabinet was briefed about COVID19 situation in the country.
He said it was decided that no lockdown will be imposed in the country as Pakistan’s economy cannot afford this. He, however, appealed the people to observe precautionary measures, especially wearing of face masks at public places to prevent spread of the virus. The information minister while briefing media persons about the decisions taken by the Federal Cabinet said that the meeting was informed that the COVID-19 positivity ratio had doubled in the country.
“But despite this, it is our resolve that we absolutely not impose a lockdown in Pakistan. Our economy cannot bear the burden (of another lockdown),” he added.
Chaudhry Fawad said the federal cabinet also approved to proceed against Shehbaz Sharif in the Lahore High Court for submitting false affidavit in fraudulently escaping Nawaz Sharif abroad. The minister said the Cabinet directed the Attorney General to plead with the Lahore High Court to either instruct Shehbaz Sharif to bring his brother back or face disqualification as the member of National Assembly under Article 63 of the Constitution.
He said Nawaz Sharif’s proceeding abroad on the pretext of medical reasons was an utter fraud. He said Nawaz Sharif has been living in London for 17 months but he has not taken any treatment.
The Information Minister said the Punjab government has rejected all medical reports submitted by the Sharif family. He said Pakistan’s embassy in London also contacted the Sharif family twice, but it did not cooperate. He said the government will pray the court that Shehbaz Sharif should be disqualified for submitting a false affidavit or he should be bound to bring back his brother as per promise.
Referring to the tragic incidents of Murree, the Information Minister said the Prime Minister expressed deep grief and sorrow over deaths of tourists. He said people died of carbon monoxide in their vehicles.
The Information Minister said the PTI government is first government that gave due importance to tourism sector. He said thirteen new tourist resorts have been established and structure of the tourism sector is being improved to ensure proper facilities to tourists.
The federal cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, also approved Science, Technology and Innovation policy, Sambarial-Kharian Motorway, import of urea from China and privatization of Guddu and Nandipur power plants.
The minister said the cabinet also approved launching of a Housing Project on 400 kanals for overseas Pakistanis. The Information Minister said overseas Pakistanis can procure apartments in this project through Roshan Digital Accounts.
He said the government will fetch around two billion dollars through this project. He said the cabinet also directed to frame a policy to enable foreigners to procure land in Pakistan.
Regarding Electronic Voting Machines, the Information Minister said Ministry of Science and Technology has been directed to provide EVMs to the Election Commission to hold next elections in Islamabad through these machines to ensure transparency.