ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has established a National Development Council (NDC) that will include the minister for foreign affairs and the Chief of Army Staff as members, according to a government notification.
According to the Cabinet Secretariat notification, the council, to be convened at the Prime Minister’s Office, shall comprise the following members:
(1) Prime Minister – Chairman
(2) Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs – Member
(3) Federal Minister for Finance/Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance – Member
(4) Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform – Member
(5) Federal Minister for Commerce/Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Industries & Production and Investment – Member
(6) Chief of Army Staff – Member
(7) Provincial Chief Ministers, Prime Minister of AJ&K and Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan (on invitation) – Members
(8) Any additional minister/head of strategic body (on invitation) – Members
(9) Secretary to the Prime Minister – Member
(10) Secretary, Foreign Affairs Division – Member
(11) Secretary, Finance Division – Member
(12) Secretary, Planning, Development & Reforms Division – Member
(13) Additional Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office – Secretary Council
The terms of reference of the NDC, outlined in the notification, state that the council shall set policies and strategies for development and “formulate and tailor policies to achieve accelerated economic growth”.
The council shall also be responsible for approving long-term planning in relation to national and regional connectivity.
Furthermore, it shall set out guidelines for regional cooperation.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and former police officer Hussain Asghar names were announced to chair inquiry commission to find out facts behind soaring of loans in the last 10 years, citing sources.
The development comes after the federal cabinet gave approval to his name.
Sources said several names including Shoaib Suddle, the former Director Intelligence Bureau (IB), IG Sindh was also under consideration, but Asghar’s name was finalised for the spot.
