Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over record increase in remittances and the reduction in the weekly inflation rate to 3.57 percent.
Chairing federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, he stated that the rise in remittances reflects the trust of overseas Pakistanis.
He said this occurred despite a call for civil disobedience from a particular political party۔
Emphasizing the need for political stability for economic development, the Prime Minister referred to the meeting chaired by him yesterday on the law and order situation.
He said directions have been given to ensure that those who recently attempted to attack the federal capital will not be spared, while clarifying those innocent individuals will not be touched.
The federal cabinet in its meeting also approved settlement agreements with eight independent power plants (IPPs) running on bagasse.
The meeting granted its approval on the recommendation of the Ministry of Energy and the Power Division.
These power plants included DW Unit I, Unit II, RYK Mills, Chiniot Power, Hamza Sugar, Al-Moez Industries, Thal Industries and Chinar Industries.
After the approval of these agreements, the Central Power Purchasing Agency would contact NEPRA regarding a reduction in the power tariffs produced by these power plants.
As a result of these agreements, electricity prices for the general public would decrease and the national exchequer would benefit by Rs238 billion rupees, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said the government was taking all possible steps to reduce electricity prices for the common man.
He emphasized that the national interests should always be prioritized in every decision and action and also mentioned that the promotion of the private sector and industries in the country was a key priority for the government.
The Prime Minister said that Azerbaijan will invest two billion dollars in Pakistan. He mentioned that the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, during a meeting with him yesterday, emphasized that the projects should be identified and feasibility studies prepared so that the agreements can proceed.
Referring to the situation in Syria, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s diplomatic position remained neutral on it.
He said a mechanism has been evolved for the safe evacuation of about 500 to 600 Pakistanis from Syria via Beirut after consultations with the Prime Minister of Lebanon.
The federal cabinet approved the appointment of Brigadier Asim Bashir Warraich as Member of Production Control on the Board of Heavy Industries Taxila, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence Production.
The federal cabinet also sanctioned the establishment of National Commission for the Status of Women Fund, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Human Rights.
