ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that they should not politicize the matter of the judges who received letters but rather demonstrate responsibility.
“We will get the matter involving suspicious letters sent to judges of the top judiciary investigated, so the everything will be clear,” said PM Shehbaz Sharif while chairing the meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad on Thursday.
PM Shehbaz said that they decided to form the commission after approval of the cabinet to investigate the judges’ matter. The Terms of References (ToRs) of the commission, he said, were also notified.
He stated that the commission was notified after seeking consent from former Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jilani. Mr. Jilani, he said, recused himself from heading the commission, and thus the Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the said matter.
“Everybody knows about the proceedings of the Supreme Court on this matter. Now the Supreme Court will look into this matter. We had fulfilled our responsibility,” said the PM.
The Prime Minister recalled that an inquiry commission was formed after the consent and consultation of former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani to look into the issues raised by the six judges of Islamabad High Court. He said the former chief justice however late recused himself from heading the inquiry commission. He said the Supreme Court has now taken suo motu notice of this matter.
Alluding to his meeting with different ministries the other day, the Prime Minister said he has decided to conduct sectoral review of these ministries in order to solve their problems. He emphasized this is important to take the economy towards self-reliance.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the gradual decrease in inflation. He said steps are afoot to reduce inflation and alleviate unemployment and poverty.
The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the IMF will release the last tranche of 1.1 billion dollars under the standby agreement this month after the approval of its board. He said the Finance Minister is visiting Washington where talks will be held with the IMF for a new program.
Shehbaz Sharif said this new IMF Program is important for Pakistan saying it will give stability to economy and confidence to other international lenders.
Acknowledging the fact that the IMF terms will not be easy, the Prime Minister stated that our priority will be to minimize the impact on the poor and those already contributing through taxes. He emphasized that the burden will be shifted towards those having the capacity to bear it.
Referring to his visit to Dasu where he met the Chinese engineers and workers, the Prime Minister said a comprehensive and foolproof security mechanism will be put in place in cooperation with the provinces for the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan.
The Cabinet approved the appointment of members of the National Commission on Status of Women on the recommendation of the Human Rights Division.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Human Rights, the Cabinet approved the abolition of the National Commission for Child Welfare and Development, National Child Protection Center and Implementation of National Line of Action for Children. All the employees of these departments who are civil servants will be included in the surplus pool. The cabinet was informed that under the National Commission on Rights of Child Act, 2017, the National Commission on the Rights of Child has been established and in the presence of this, these departments have become unnecessary. Keeping in view the austerity policy of the government, it has been decided to close the departments.
On the recommendations of the foreign ministry, the cabinet allowed former Naval Chief Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi to receive Saudi King Abdul Aziz Medal Badge of Honour of Excellent Class and Malaysian Award Darjah Kepahlawanan Angkatan Tentera.
