No compromise on national dignity, security: Federal Cabinet
Shares
The federal cabinet at its meeting in Islamabad today emphatically decided that zero tolerance will be shown towards the handful elements conspiring to put the national dignity, image and security at stake.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly denounced the recent attack on a security check post in North Waziristan.
Expressing solidarity with the armed forces, the meeting offered Fateha for the FC personnel martyred in the despicable incident.
Later briefing the media about the cabinet meeting, Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan recalled that the tribal people have rendered innumerable sacrifices for peace and stability of Pakistan.
She however regretted that certain elements through their acts have put the peace and prosperity of tribal areas at stake.
The special assistant also reminded that the Prime Minister announced development schemes worth 102 billion rupees to heal the wounds of the tribal people.
She said the prime minister has also brought the tribal people into the main political process and his initiative also started a new chapter of peace and development in the areas which were once considered no go areas.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said incidents such as attack on the security check post is a conspiracy to impede the development of the tribal districts.
She said the cabinet expressed reservations on the acts of these handful militant elements and decided that the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments and the entire Pakistan will stand shoulder to shoulder for the protection of rights of the tribal people.
Special Assistant on Information said the Prime Minister had already asked the provinces to contribute three percent from the NFC to meet the development needs of tribal districts.
The cabinet also reviewed implementation of the decisions taken in the last forty two sittings. Firdous Ashiq Awan said of the 819 decisions taken by the cabinet, five hundred and eighty four decisions were implemented whilst implementation on the remaining has been made time bound.
The Prime Minister directed the relevant ministers to fulfill their responsibilities for implementation of the decisions taken in the best interest of the public welfare. The secretary cabinet division informed the meeting that a mechanism has been put in place to ensure progress on the cabinet decisions.
Special Assistant on Information said contours of the federal budget were presented before the cabinet. She said federal budget, to be announced on 11th of the next month, will focus on stabilizing national economy.
She said the budget will contain measures to reduce current account deficit and fiscal deficit, control expenditures, create platform for economic growth and protect vulnerable segment of the society.
She said provincial governments have been taken on board to address the economic challenges facing the country.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said the program prepared by the economic team of the government has started showing positive results. She said rupee is appreciating against dollar and stock market has also witnessed bullish trend.
She said the Prime Minister has directed for preparation of an effective export policy. She said the government also plans to revive sick industrial units and promote the local industry.
Speaking on Hajj policy, the Special Assistant said Hajj quota for Pakistan has been increased on the desire of Prime Minister Imran Khan with the addition of 15790 pilgrims.
She said the Prime Minster directed to provide the maximum facilities to the intending pilgrims and ensure transparency in the process.
The Special Assistant said the cabinet decided to engage cigarette industry to the maximum level so that the funds could be used for better healthcare. She said the case of irregularities in Kachhi Canal has been given to FIA for inquiry.
The Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting regretted that a political party did not change its posture even on Youm-e-Takbeer being marked today.
She said days like Youm-e-Takbeer must unite us for the defense, security and interest of the country. But she said that these political pygmies used the occasion to criticize Prime Minister Imran Khan for their own political interests.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said the opposition parties want to make the accountability process controversial.
When asked about the protest of media workers outside the parliament house, the special assistant said that the government will clear all the outstanding amount of the last five years to the media houses.
She however said no release will be made to the media houses until they give a letter to us that it will be used to clear the salaries of media workers. She said the government will protect the interests of media workers.
