PM Shehbaz Sharif directs to review National Action Plan
ISLAMABAD, April 27 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to review National Action Plan and formulate a comprehensive strategy in consultation with the provinces to curb terrorism and ensure security in the country.
Briefing media about the decisions taken by the Federal Cabinet, which met in Islamabad on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair on Wednesday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said these instructions have been given to the Interior Ministry.
She said the Prime Minister also directed to convene an immediate meeting of the National Counter Terrorism Authority Pakistan to review the NAP. She said the Prime Minister also instructed to review security plan of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The Minister for Information said the cabinet was given a detailed briefing about the security situation in the country in the wake of recent terrorist attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi. She said Chinese Embassy has been told that thorough investigations will be carried out to nab the culprit and to take them to task.
She said that Chinese nationals and organizations working in Pakistan will be provided foolproof security. Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Federal Cabinet approved review of Civil Servant service rules, which were earlier used to pressurize the bureaucracy.
The Minister for Information said the cabinet approved appointment of Asim Ahmed as chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue.
Talking about government’s priorities to provide relief to the people, she said instructions have been issued to curb hoarding of diesel to ensure its uninterrupted availability to farmers and the people.
She said the government is determined to provide relief in all sectors, including health and education.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said during the last four years, media workers were targeted and their programmes banned, but the present government is committed to provide relief and security to journalists.
Responding to former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s demands for early elections, Marriyum Aurangzeb said Imran Khan has ruined the country due to his inaptness and inability and now he is afraid of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs’ potential to serve the masses diligently. She said that elections will be held on time.
Meanwhile Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said the incumbent government does not believe in any restriction on the freedom of expression.
She was speaking at the Senate Standing Committee for Information and Broadcasting, which met in Islamabad on Wednesday with its Chairman Senator Faisal Javed Khan in the chair.
The Minister for Information said no channel, programme or newspaper will be closed. She, however, called for practical steps to curb fake news in the country.
She said fake news was run about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said Shehbaz Sharif as the chief minister of Punjab had paid all the expenses of his foreign tours from his own pocket. She said the Prime Minister will also bear expenses of his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia.
Chairman Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority briefed the committee that PEMRA has issued no directions to close any channel. Officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting apprised the committee about “Digital Radio Migration” project.