Cabinet seeks SC guidance on Senate elections thru show of hands

Cabinet seeks SC guidance on Senate elections thru show of hands.

During its meeting in Islamabad today, federal cabinet discussed various issues.

Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over the meeting.

Cabinet seeks SC guidance on Senate elections

Hs emphasized that the legal reforms aim at only ensuring transparency in the election process.

Attorney General would file a reference under article 186 of the constitution.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said we stay open for dialogue with all the political parties on the matter.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz briefed the media.

He said the cabinet decision our aims to ensure transparent and credible elections of the upper house.

The Information Minister said a bill has also been introduced in the parliament regarding the Senate elections.

It aims at checking the horse trading. He noted it also in the interest of all political parties so that only those candidates nominated by the parties come to the house.

Furthermore, the parties get the seats as per their strength in the electoral college.

A report of inquiry commission into the shortage of petroleum products that hit the country earlier this year also came before the cabinet today.

Inquiry commission into the shortage of petroleum products

The Information Minister said the Prime Minister has constituted a committee.

Minister for Planning Asad Umar heads it to fix the responsibility on those behind the crisis.

Other members of the committee include: Shafqat Mahmood, Shireen Mazari and Azam Swati.

The committee will put forward its recommendations in the next cabinet meeting.

Moreover, the Cabinet also discussed in detail the National Finance Commission and the share given to the provinces under it.

Shibli Faraz said the cabinet called for evolving a mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability not only in the funds spent by the provinces but also encourage them to raise their own revenues.

The Covid relief fund

Concerned officials informed the Prime Minister about the Covid relief fund currently has an amount of 4.866 billion rupees.

International donors have contributed1.081 billion rupees, whilst domestic donors have donated 3.805 in the fund.

On the directions of the Prime Minister, the federal government has enhanced this amount to 24.43 billion rupees.

Meanwhile, the officials informed the cabinet that disbursement under this fund is being made in the transparent manner. About two million people have been provided with emergency cash through this relief fund.

The PM said Ehsaas program is the biggest achievement of present government and the international institutions are also recognizing it. He further said that poverty alleviation is his mission.

Moreover, Imran Khan directed the provincial governments and Islamabad Administration to review the establishment of Handcart (Rehri) bazaars so that the livelihoods of the poor people are not affected by the Covid-19.

GTV