Nawaz to be declared absconder if he didn't return to Pakistan: Dr Firdous

She said the PM also directed to take all out preventive measures against spread of Coronavirus

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif would be declared absconder if he didn’t return to Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, she said Nawaz Sharif was given relief by the government on humanitarian grounds and allowed to go to London for medical treatment, but he was found there in restaurants.

Dr Firdous asked the PML-N leadership to submit the authentic medical reports of Nawaz Sharif rather sending medical certificates of private laboratories. There was much difference in a medical report and a medical certificate. They should tell the nation about the actual health condition of Nawaz Sharif and give access to the media to the hospital in the United Kingdom where he was under treatment, she added.

The special assistant said that the PML-N leaders should now stop misleading the innocent people about the health of Nawaz Sharif as despite several reminders they had failed to submit his medical reports, which were compulsory for further such relief.

Dr Firdous also asked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif to return back to Pakistan from the UK. She asked Rana Sanaullah to brief the people about Nawaz Sharif’s fresh surgery and also name of the hospital where he was admitted for any such surgery.

She said Prime Minister Imran Khan has unequivocally reiterated the government s resolve not to put burden of increased bills of electricity on people, adding that the PM directed that people should not be suffered due to gaps in generation and supply of electricity.

She said the Cabinet was apprised that decisions taken by previous government resulted in increased tariff of electricity.

The Special Assistant said the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Energy to devise a comprehensive mechanism so that increase in prices due to Neelum Jhelum Surcharge or Circular Debt is not passed on to ordinary people. A meeting in this regard will be convened soon.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet was informed that five hundred feeders in the country have been secured and modern technology is being employed to stop line losses, while more than fifty eight thousand FIRs have been lodged against the electricity thieves during 2019.

The Ministry of Energy presented a detailed plan to the federal cabinet on supply of power, prices of electricity for domestic and commercial consumers and short term and long term goals for bringing these prices down.

She said the Prime Minister also directed to take all out preventive measures against spread of Coronavirus in the country.

The cabinet was informed that not even a single case of Coronavirus has been reported so far in Pakistan.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet also discussed the visit of US President Trump to neighboring India. It was informed that defeat of Indian narrative during this visit is a victory for Pakistan.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Dr. Sania Nishtar gave a detailed briefing to cabinet on Ehsaas Kifalat Program, Langar Khanas and other initiatives which are the vision of PTI government to provide support to vulnerable segments of society.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction on the social welfare programmes under Ehsaas program.

The cabinet was given briefing on economic data and the reduction in prices of essential items.

Due to effective monitoring and comprehensive policies of the government, a strong message has gone to various mafias of hoarders and profiteers resulting in reduction in prices.

In the context of Justice Faez Isa case, the Prime Minister expressed complete support for Law Minister Dr. Farogh Naseem and while appreciating his services assured him that government fully backs his steps in the constitutional and legal ambit.

The Cabinet gave approval to the construction of high rise buildings in the surroundings of Benazir Bhutto International Airport.