ISLAMABAD – Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information andBroadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says the next budget will meet thepublic aspirations and all allied parties will be taken into confidencebefore the next budget session of parliament.

Briefing media in Islamabad on Tuesday regarding decisions taken in federalcabinet meeting today, the Special Assistant said Cabinet reviewed theissue of energy in depth and the power division was directed to ensurepower supply during Sehar and Iftar during Ramazan.

She said the cabinet ratified the ECC decisions of the previous meeting.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said cabinet was briefed by Education Minister ShafqatMahmood regarding initiatives to bring 30,000 Madaris into mainstream.

She said these will be linked with the Ministry and act independently.

The education minister apprised the cabinet that one window registration ofthese Madaris is important as well as monitoring of their funding.

Education Ministry will also support and give facilities to foreignstudents studying in these Madaris.

In addition, vocational training and capacity building of Madaris studentsis also essential in order to give them an opportunity to earn living aftergraduation.

The cabinet ratified agreement on technical cooperation between Pakistanand Brazil.

It also gave approval to annual report of SECP that will be presented tocabinet.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister said cabinet also approved abolishingof allocation entertainment and gifts in ministries and public sectororganizations. It granted approval for extension in acting charge ofChairman Export Processing Zone.

The cabinet also decided that no additional charges will be granted afterthree months and all posts will be filled in all ministries and divisions

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Power Omar Ayub said the issue ofpower theft has been contained to a large extent.

He said there is no load-shedding on 80% of 8783 total feeders in thecountry.

He said we also wanted to provide electricity during Sehr and Iftar to 60feeders that were under the load management, but it could not be done dueto line losses and stealing.

Omar Ayub said a sum of 61 billion rupees was recovered from electricitythieves in the last five months due to vigorous campaign launched.

During the drive, 4225 arrests were made and 27,000 FIRs lodged against thedefaulters.

Omar Ayub Khan said the previous government left a burden of 450 billionrupees in circular debt.

He said this burden will be reduced and hopefully in next two years, thecircular debt will be cleared.

He said electric metering will be ensured in next four years in order toovercome line losses.