Federal cabinet rejects summary of health ministry regarding hike in medicines’ price
ISLAMABAD, Sep 13 (SABAH): The Federal cabinet has rejected to increase retail prices of 10 different medicines.
The federal cabinet, which met in Islamabad on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, declined a summary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination regarding hike in medicines’ price. The cabinet discussed six-point agenda.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that he did not support the idea of enhancing medicines’ rates. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that in current circumstances increase in medicine prices could not be permitted.
The Prime Minister also gave a task to Finance Minister Dr. Miftah Ismail Ahmed, Minister for Food Security Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema, Minister for Maritime Affairs Senator Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari, Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, and Advisor to PM on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Chaudhry Qamar Zaman Kaira for improving harmony among provinces regarding fixing of wheat prices and distribution of urea.
The cabinet also extended Minimum Energy Performance Standards for electric fans till the end of June this year. However, the Prime Minister directed to improve the Minimum Energy Performance Standards before 30th June this year.
A summary for Mutual Legal Assistance for countries with whom no such agreement exists at present also got nod of the federal cabinet.
The meeting also discussed a report regarding the overbooking of Government Hajj Scheme quota. It was told that no bad intention was found in this matter. However, the banks, which overbooked Government Hajj quota, have paid the compensation amount to the pilgrims. On this matter, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan to seek explanation from such banks and the reason behind this negligence. He directed the State Bank of Pakistan for issuing instructions to the concerned banks to continue working on off-days as well in flood-hit areas.
The federal cabinet approved the decision of Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet to allocate Rs 3 funds for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for carrying out relief work in flood affected areas of the country.
The cabinet also discussed the matters pertaining to the help and rehabilitation of the flood affectees. Prime Minister Shehbaz while reiterating the government’s resolve regarding the rehabilitation of the flood affectees said that the federal government without any discrimination will fulfill its responsibility of provision of help and rehabilitation of flood affectees in all provinces.