ISLAMABAD – The Federal Cabinet today took several decisions for recoveryof corruption money and the wealth stashed abroad illegally.
Its meeting was held in Islamabad today with Prime Minister Imran Khan inthe chair.
Later, briefing newsmen, Minister for Information and Broadcasting FawadChaudhary and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability ShahzadAkbar said a whistle blower law is being enforced immediately throughordinance envisaging reward worth 20% for those who would help recover suchmoney.
They said names of the informers would be kept confidential.
The Special Assistant said another ordinance on mutual legal assistance isbeing issued which would help remove bottlenecks in the way of seekinginformation from foreign countries on illegal wealth.
He said the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs todispatch a high powered delegation to Switzerland to expedite ratificationof the treaty on exchange of information on bank accounts. He said thetreaty was signed in 2013 but was not ratified.
Shahzad Akbar said the Government would also hire firms that would detectand help recover illegal money and in the case of recovery the firm wouldget an agreed share of the recovered amount.
He said the Prime Minister would get reports on implementation of thesemeasures on fortnightly basis.
Minister for Information said eighty billion rupees have been saved andreturned back to Finance Ministry due to the stopping of discretionaryfunds by Prime Minister. He said schemes like Prime Minister’s LaptopScheme have been abolished and the money returned to the Finance Ministry.
The Cabinet took notice of a media report about premature commissioning ofTarbela extension four project causing a loss of 25 billion rupees to thenational exchequer.
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The Cabinet also decided that education, health and water sectors will bedriven from federation.
A task force has been constituted on education led by Minister forEducation Shafqat Mehmood. It will include prominent educationists,representatives of Madaris and skill development. First objective is tobring 25 million out of school children to education network.
A uniform school education and certification system would be enforcedthroughout the country. It has been decided to consult with provincesregarding increasing of school fee by the private schools.
In addition, it has been decided that funds will be spent on establishingcenters for street children and women.
The cabinet gave instructions to provide easy access in all buildings fordisabled people, both at federal and provincial levels.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to improve its attitude withoverseas Pakistanis. A strict notice will be taken if complaints arereceived against the attitude of staff deputed at foreign missions andembassies worldwide.
The cabinet has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collect data ofover 10,000 Pakistanis incarcerated in various countries. Of these, 3,000are in Iran mostly on drug related offences. As Iran has amended itsanti-drug law in recent days, it is hoped a large number of Pakistanis willget relief.
To a question the Minister said Islam is religion of peace and rights ofminorities will be protected by the government.
