ISLAMABAD – Federal Cabinet has decided to provide gas and electricity to various industrial zones in the country on immediate basis in order to facilitate investors.
Meeting of the federal cabinet was held in Islamabad on Thursday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.
Briefing decisions of the cabinet at a news conference in Islamabad this evening, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting 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.
The Information Minister 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. Chaudhry Fawad said our reconciliatory role has been recognized and Pakistan is making sincere efforts to bridge the differences between various brotherly Muslim countries.
He 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.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain 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.
Chaudhry Fawad said 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.
The Information Minister said today’s 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, 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.
The Minister 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.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain 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.
