_akhbar.jpg)
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the transfer of powers assigned to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to the governor for the day-to-day administration of provincial affairs during the period of emergency in the province.
The decision aims to facilitate administrative matters and further improve governance in the province, a statement issued by the PM Office media said. The governor will submit a monthly review report to the federal government regarding the exercise of these powers. The cabinet met here with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.
Welcoming the decision, the federal cabinet expressed the hope that the KP Advisory Council, under the leadership of governor, would make every possible effort to promote the welfare and prosperity of the people of the province and ensure maintenance of law and order. He said a development package worth Rs160 billion has been announced for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while federal and provincial governments, in coordination with security institutions, will take comprehensive measures to eliminate terrorism.
PM Shehbaz Sharif noted that a large number of terrorists had been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He hoped that with Allah’s help and tremendous sacrifices and efforts of security forces, terrorism would be eliminated from the province.
The prime minister pointed out that the provincial and federal governments would work together with law enforcement agencies to crush terrorism. Shehbaz described KP as one of Pakistan’s most beautiful provinces, whose courageous and resilient people had been confronting terrorism for decades and had made enormous sacrifices. He added that Balochistan had also been facing terrorism for a considerable period. He recalled that terrorism had been completely eliminated in 2018 but, unfortunately, it had resurfaced. He expressed confidence that it would now be eradicated once and for all, with the prayers and support of the entire nation.
The cabinet, on the Finance Ministry’s recommendation, approved the design of new currency notes featuring advanced security features and durable materials to prevent counterfeiting and extend their lifespan. Artists and designers nationwide had been invited to submit design proposals, while a cabinet committee constituted by the prime minister held consultations with relevant stakeholders. The cabinet also approved replacing the existing Rs10 banknote with a Rs10 coin.
The cabinet ratified the defence cooperation agreement between Pakistan and Kuwait, aimed at promoting collaboration in the defence sectors of the two brotherly countries. Pakistan and Kuwait signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement on June 11, 2023.
The cabinet also ratified the decisions taken in the October 26 meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises. It also ratified the decisions taken in the meetings of the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases held on January 22, February 26, August 5, 18 and 27, and September 11 and 22.
Meanwhile, addressing the cabinet meeting, Shehbaz also said that Pakistan was continuing sincere diplomatic efforts to establish peace and stability in the region and reduce tensions.
The prime minister also said that the government would make every possible effort, within its capacity, to ensure the required supply of LPG and petroleum products, keep power plants operational and control the pressure arising from rising prices through sustained efforts. “The government will do its utmost to ensure that the public does not face difficulties due to a shortage of LPG or petroleum products,” he said.
Referring to preparations for the challenges expected during the winter season, the prime minister said that meetings are held every two to three days to review obstacles affecting maritime routes and to discuss the availability and supply of fuel, LPG and other essential resources. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik briefed the cabinet on the arrangements being made for LPG imports.
The prime minister said the government had absorbed the impact of rising international energy prices to protect consumers, sparing the public a Rs15-per-litre increase in petrol prices last Friday despite a rise in global rates. He said the fuel subsidy programme would continue until the end of December, with around 15 million people having used its tokens. Assuming an average household size of five, at least 75 million people had benefited.
Acknowledging reports of irregularities at some petrol pumps, he said the government was monitoring the situation and directed the petroleum minister to shut down pumps involved in malpractice and impose penalties. He said the petroleum minister and his team had persuaded refineries to absorb additional costs rather than pass them on to consumers, and congratulated them on the achievement.
The prime minister also announced an end to what he described as the LPG import mafia, which he said had earned billions of rupees over several decades. LPG-related arrangements were being replaced with a competitive and transparent system for importing and managing LPG through public-sector entities, including Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan Refinery Limited (Parco). LPG imports would be conducted through competitive bidding, while locally produced LPG would be auctioned, with the proceeds passed on to the public through government subsidies.
The prime minister also congratulated the federal finance minister, on behalf of the federal cabinet, on his appointment as chairman of the Group of 24. The prime minister further said that Pakistan had successfully conducted an air-to-air missile test the previous day. He congratulated the entire nation on this achievement and said that the credit went to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and his entire team, as well as all the institutions and individuals who had contributed to the successful test under his leadership.
