ISLAMABAD – Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry saysPrime Minister Imran Khan took the Federal Cabinet into confidence at ameeting in Islamabad on Thursday about his very successful visit to China.
Briefing the media outside the Parliament, he said the cabinet noted thatwith this visit Pakistan would be in a position to handle the issue ofbalance of payments effectively.
He said technical matters would soon be chalked out to finalize themodalities of Chinese assistance for Pakistan.
The minister said Finance Minister Asad Umar is also engaged with IMF toseek further financial package to overcome the financial crunch.
He said the cabinet approved revamping of the Evacuees Trust PropertiesBoard to improve its functioning and better utilization of its properties.
The cabinet also approved a protocol for prisoners’ swap between Pakistanand the United Kingdom. It also approved appointment of Ahmed Nawaz Sukheraas Secretary of Investment Board.
Later, answering questions by journalists, the Information Minister tookserious exception of the banner headlines by a section of media aboutso-called departure of Aasia Bibi to a foreign country. He said thenewspapers acted irresponsibly on a very serious issue. He said thegovernment will consider as to what action could be taken against suchmedia outlets.
The Minister said a review petition is pending in the Supreme Court inAasia Bibi case and the Apex Court is the competent authority to take adecision on this legal and constitutional matter.
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To a question, Fawad Chaudhry said there is a deadlock on appointing thechairman of Public Accounts Committee.
He said the opposition is insisting to appoint Leader of the Opposition inthe National Assembly Mian Shehbaz Sharif as Chairman PAC but will it notbe ridiculous that Shehbaz Sharif, who is facing corruption chargeshimself, is given this position.
He said how Shehbaz Sharif can hold accountable his elder brother MuhammadNawaz Sharif if he is appointed PAC Chairman.
The Minister said the opposition is making hue and cry to get relief incorruption cases but it will not be possible at all.
To another question he said that the government is working to bring reformsin the NAB laws and a task force headed by Law Minister Ferogh Naseem isfinalizing its proposals to this effect.
