ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry has said that the bail granted to Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, however, doesn’t prove his innocence.
Addressing a press briefing on Thursday, the minister said that the release of Shehbaz Sharif on bail should be a matter of concern for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He also said the NAB should introspect why its prosecution was failing before the courts and what was causing inconclusive results in the cases it had initiated.
The information minister suggested the anti-graft watchdog to challenge the release of Shehbaz Sharif in the top court. He was of the view that the government cooperated with NAB under the ambit of law. “High profile people involved in different cases evade laws and punishment very easily,” said the minister.
Fawad Chaudhry mentioned that the entire nation is disappointed at the bail to Shehbaz. “We have a system where the rich hire a top lawyer, while the poor can’t afford such counsels to plead their cases…and we need to change this system,” he said.
Liberalization of visa regime
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said liberalization of visa regime and steps taken to improve ease of doing business will attract more investors to invest in the country.
PM to accord warm welcome Saudi Crown Prince
The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan will himself receive and greet Saudi Crown Prince. The visiting dignitary will be given a salute of 21 guns. He will hold meetings with Prime minister and President, besides attending a number of meetings.
Pakistan’s reconciliatory role recognized internationally
He said the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince is highly significant as it is a milestone in numerous successes of PTI led government at the foreign policy front.
He said Pakistan has once again become a key player in Middle East politics. “Our reconciliatory role has been recognized and Pakistan is making sincere efforts to bridge the differences between various brotherly Muslim countries,” he added.
Saudis to invest 8 billion dollars alone in oil refinery
Fawad Ch said during the Saudi Crown Prince's visit, the agreements and MoUs to be signed and the overall investment coming into the country will be more than overall investment during the last decade. He said Saudis will invest 8 billion dollars alone in an oil refinery.
Pakistan to host next US-Taliban talks
“We are making sincere efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan and the upcoming negotiations between Taliban and USA will bring regional stability which will ultimately promote peace, business and prosperity in the region,” he termed.
He confirmed a Taliban statement released on Wednesday that Islamabad would host the next round of US-Taliban talks in connection with the Afghan peace process.
Today’s Federal Cabinet decisions:
The info minister said today’s
federal cabinet meeting also reviewed the progress of previous cabinet meetings. He said so far 26 cabinet meetings have been held with 440 decisions taken. Of these, 243 decisions have been implemented.
Giving details of other cabinet decisions, he said the cabinet gave approval to appointment of
Zafar Usmani as new chairman of Pakistan State Oil (PSO), along with reconstitution of its Board.
He said an
overseas Pakistani Adnan Ghani has been appointed as head of Zarai Tarqqiati Bank Limited. His appointment gives a message that PTI government appreciates and recognizes the positive contributions of overseas Pakistanis in our economy.
The minister said that
Naseer Khan Kashani has been appointed Chairman of Gwadar Port. He said
Essential Services Act has been declared at
State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan.
Cabinet was briefed that process on transferring
Sheikh Zayed Hospital and other hospitals to the center.
Fawad Chaudhry said draft proposal for merger of
Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority and National Disaster Management Authority was approved.
The cabinet also granted approval to
Board of Pakistan Institute of Management Sciences. He also said a committee has been set up for water payment surcharge issue to Azad Kashmir. He said
National Anti-Narcotics Policy was also laid before the cabinet.
