Islamabad: Federal Cabinet’s meeting was held here Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in chair.

Meeting approved appointment of Sardar Ali Khan as new Inspector General of Punjab police, issuance of funds for Rose welt hotel, and security plan for upcoming cricket series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

A subcommittee has also been established under Federal Minister for planning Asad Umar for land acquisition and allotment in Islamabad.

The cabinet also approved to cut down port charges by fifty percent to boost exports.

According to details, federal ministers showed severe concerns over UK government’s decision to maintain Pakistan in red list.

The cabinet was briefed over electoral reforms and use of technology in elections.

Sources said that Federal Ministers Asad Umar, Sheikh Rashid and Advisor to PM Babar Awan expressed their objections and said that reasons elaborated by UK government to keep Pakistan in its Covid-19 red list are unsatisfactory. Government should raise the issue on highest levels.

The cabinet also reviewed agreement with the UK government for exchange of prisoners. Summary was disapproved by cabinet after its subjective analysis.

Federal Minister for information and broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary, after the meeting briefed reporters about the steps taken during the meeting.

Fawad said that New Zealand cricket team is all set to visit Pakistan and the visitors will be provided with best of security.

Talking about land acquisitions and allotments in Islamabad, he said that Prime Minister was disgruntled with the fact that lands are being grabbed from poor people and is sold to powerful elite on cheap rates. People of Islamabad were exploited miserably and their land was distributed among blue-eyed bureaucrats, judges and journalists. Prime Minister has formed a committee under Asad Umar which would interrogate the matter and will formulate a policy that in-turn will yield a comprehensive and just system. The system will ensure safety of poor people and their lands, the minister said.

Talking about UK government’s decision to hold Pakistan in Covid-19 red list, he said that Prime Minister’s aid Dr. Faisal Sultan has talked to UK’s Chief medical scientist and their reservations have been met to a commendable extent.

Briefing media about cabinet’s decisions regarding cinema industry, he said that cabinet has asked ministry of information to amend its summary regarding imports of international films. Now all international non-Indian films will soon be imported to Pakistani cinemas, he announced.

He said as a result of prudent policies of the government, all State Owned Enterprises, except National Highway Authority, have become profitable. He said SOEs earned 31 billion rupees so far.

He said enforcement of Essential Services Act in Radio Pakistan was also approved. He said the government is also working on reviving the cinema industry for which import of foreign movies, except Indian films, will be allowed.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said port charges on exports have been reduced by 50 percent. He said voluntary retirement and golden handshake scheme for the employees of Pakistan Medical Council also got cabinet’s nod. It was approved to establish a joint security commission between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

The cabinet approved funds for the payment of outstanding expenditure of Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the cabinet held detailed discussion on the electoral reforms to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the country. He said it is the first government, which is itself calling for electoral reforms, but it is unfortunate that opposition has no interest in this regard.

He said opposition’s leading parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan People’s Party do not have any interest in making the electoral system transparent as they have never come to power without rigging.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, however, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government is committed to go ahead with the electoral reforms, including introduction of Electronic Voting Machines.