Govt to keep its course of action against 172 people on Exit Control List
The meeting, however, reviewed the decision following the apex court's disapproval.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has presided over a meeting of federal cabinet on Wednesday to review a 20-point agenda including placing names of 172 ‘influential’ people on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Reportedly, the agenda also included inspection of an agreement between China and Pakistan over exchange of prisoners in their custody.
Furthermore, the cabinet has approved an agreement between Pakistan and Japan to increase their defense capabilities.
Regarding registration of union council chairmen and establishment of an advisory council to alleviate poverty, the meeting has finalized the proposed strategy.
Following the meeting, the members of nursing council have been facilitated with the cabinet’s approval.
The cabinet has also approved $5 million grant for the Dubai Expo and reformation of Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Board (QMMB).
Importantly, the meeting has approved provision of Euro 130 million soft loan by the French Development Agency (AFD) to Pakistan for certain development projects including the Peshawar Sustainable Rapid Transit Corridor Project.
(Since 2006, AFD has been working with Pakistan to develop renewable energies and energy efficiency, as the country has been undergoing a major crisis in energy sector. The AFP has been financing Pakistan’s unexploited hydroelectric potential)
The agenda also included the issue of substandard statins and formation of a high-level committee for the transformation of Karachi.
The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions have shared information with the cabinet members ahead of approval of funds for rehabilitation of the tribal areas.
Regarding allottment of 32-Kanal land to the Intelligence Bureau by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the first installement has been approved by the meeting.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed concerning the Agriculture sector of Pakistan.
Lastly, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) has gotten an approval for an agreement with Azerbaijan over labor force.
Earlier, the federal government placed names of 172 people including Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the ECL after the Joint Investigation Committee’s (JIT) recommendation to probe into fake accounts and money laundering case.
However, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar disapproved the recommendation and said that the head of the JIT had overstepped his mandate.
