PM urges all stakeholders to actively engage in flood relief efforts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged all stakeholders to actively engage in ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood affected areas of the country.

Addressing meeting of federal cabinet in Islamabad today (Tuesday), he paid tribute to all those who have rendered their best services during the flood disaster.

Shehbaz Sharif said this is a testing time demanding unity in our ranks. He said victims of this disaster will always remember those who helped them in this difficult time.

Alluding to the recent visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to flood-hit areas of country, the Prime Minister said the Secretary General emphasized on practical steps for helping the flood affected people.

He said the UN Chief recognized that Pakistan has become the worst victim of a disaster induced by climate change, a phenomenon in which it has little to none contribution.

Meanwhile, the Federal cabinet has rejected to increase retail prices of ten different medicines.

The federal cabinet, which met in Islamabad on Tuesday, declined a summary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination regarding hike in medicines’ price.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he did not support the idea of enhancing medicines’ rates.

The Prime Minister also gave a task to Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Minister for Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema, Minister for Maritime Affairs Faisal Sabzwari, Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, and Advisor on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira for improving harmony among provinces regarding fixing of wheat prices and distribution of urea.

The cabinet also extended Minimum Energy Performance Standards for electric fans till the end of June this year. However, the Prime Minister directed to improve the Minimum Energy Performance Standards before 30th June this year.

A summary for Mutual Legal Assistance for countries with whom no such agreement exists at present also got nod of the federal cabinet.

The meeting also discussed a report regarding the overbooking of Government Hajj Scheme quota. It was told that no bad intention was found in this matter. However, the banks, which overbooked Government Hajj quota, have paid the compensation amount to the pilgrims. On this matter, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan to seek explanation from such banks and the reason behind this negligence. He directed the State Bank of Pakistan for issuing instructions to the concerned banks to continue working on off-days as well in flood-hit areas.

Source: Radio Pakistan