ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday during a meeting of the federal cabinet ordered a ban to be imposed on the medical treatment of federal ministers and officials abroad on the government’s expense.
According to a local media channel, the ban on treatment abroad on national exchequer will also be applied to senior officials, advisers, and federal secretaries. A notification has been issued in this regard after the premier’s orders.
The PM informed the cabinet that his visit to China was “more successful than expected” and that the Chinese government has “assured every kind of assistance to Pakistan” besides assuring of its full support in Pakistan’s agriculture sector; a first in the history of Pak-China bilateral relationship.
Finance Minister Asad Umar briefed the cabinet about the agreements signed in China and the decisions made during the National Security Committee meeting will also be discussed.
The PM approved a summary empowering the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to issue a tax directory. The FBR will publish a separate tax directory for members of the parliament.
Additionally, the appointment of Rizwan Memon as chairman of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan as also approved by the federal cabinet and sanctioned the issuance of a license to Liberty Air Ltd.
Furthermore, the federal cabinet also deliberated over signing prisoner exchange agreements with Ireland and Britain.
The meeting had a 21-point agenda which also included law and order situation in the country and the formation of a trading corporation of Pakistan and publishing a tax directory for parliamentarians and public for 2017.
Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi also briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan and members of the cabinet regarding the damage inflicted to public property during the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan led three-day protests against Aasia Bibi’s acquittal.
Prayers were held for Maulana Samiulhaq and Captain Zargham.
Imran Khan stated that Maulana Samiul Haq’s services will always be remembered, adding that “sacrifices for establishing peace in the country will not go to waste.”
Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S) Maulana Samiul Haq was assassinated in a knife attack at his residence in Rawalpindi last week. He was 80.
The assailant stabbed him several times in the chest and head before fleeing the scene unidentified and unchallenged. The Maulana was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
