Federal cabinet approves exemption of high speed diesel from tax, duty

The minister said that the PTI government is vigorously working on institutional reforms

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the authority of the Auditor General and exemption of high speed diesel from tax and duty.

Meeting of the Federal Cabinet was held in Islamabad on Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.

The meeting discussed overall political and economic situation of the country. The meeting also dilated upon steps taken to check the spread of second wave of Covid-19.

The huddle approves declaration of FIA Commercial Banking Circle Lahore as Police Station, while the meeting decided to set up a four-member committee on the construction of a multi-storey building in Nowshera.

According to sources, the briefing to the federal cabinet on external funds besides loans was postponed. Cabinet also approved the appointment of the director general of the Legal and Justice Aid Authority.

Cabinet also approved the appointments of a new administrator of the National Medical Council, the appointment of the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology.

Briefing media in Islamabad this afternoon about decisions taken by the cabinet today (Tuesday) , the minister for information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz said that the cabinet has decided to reveal facts to expose individuals involved money laundering and making fun of country s institutions in light of the findings of UK Law firm Broadsheet.

He said the cabinet has formed an inter-ministerial committee, which will reveal the individuals, mentioned in the Broadsheet scandal. “Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others influenced that inquiry to save their own skin and now the government under Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to make those names public, after thorough scrutiny of the available material,” he said.

Shibli Faraz went on to say that the cabinet also approved a bill to enhance powers of the auditor general of Pakistan to ensure transparency. He said automation and digitization are being introduced in the working of the office of auditor general of Pakistan. He said issuance of cheques will be automated to prevent any kind of delay and fraud.

The minister further said that the PTI government is vigorously working on institutional reforms and the cabinet decided to make these reforms public soon.

Regarding negative impact of the sale of smuggled petrol in Pakistan, the minister said that a crackdown has started against petrol pumps involved in selling substandard smuggled petrol, which poses hazards not only to the environment, but also adversely impacts functionality of the vehicles.

“The sale of smuggled petrol is inflicting a loss of around 180 billion rupees to the national exchequer,” he said and added so far 192 petrol pumps have sealed for selling substandard smuggled oil. He said such petrol pumps have been directed to furnish record of their sale and purchase within one week. He said that 2090 petrol pumps have been identified across Pakistan that are involved in selling smuggled petrol.

The minister said: “Planning Minister Asad Umar raised the incident of the death of Osama Satti in police firing for which Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his strong displeasure and annoyance over opening of fire by the police on a youth.”

Faraz said, “The Joint Investigation Committee formed to investigate killing of Osama Satti has presented its report to the interior secretary, but the Prime Minister expressed the resolve that new probe would be arranged if family members of the deceased youth is not satisfied with JIT s findings, adding that an inquiry will be organized to the satisfaction of Osama Satti s family to take the culprits to the task.”

“The prime minister also instructed to formulate a policy in fifteen days to address shortage of wheat and other food items in the country,” he added.