PM to announce 'mega relief package’ for 10 million citizens: Fawad

In a media talk after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) core committee meeting, he said two major agendas including a mega package to control inflation and upcoming local government elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came under discussion.

Other than that, the minister said the core committee expressed concerns over the constant increase in fuel prices at international market. "Though, the government has taken numerous steps to prevent its impact to pass on to masses, but ‘the concerning thing is that as to how long will it be controlled," he added.

The meeting also discussed an action plan to deal with the energy issues, he added.“There has been confusion that either the elections of mayors of cities and districts in Punjab would be held directly or indirectly. 

It has been decided that the elections will be held in direct way and the cities will elect their own mayors through direct elections,” the minister said while divulging the details about upcoming local government polls in the two provinces.

“This was the promise made by the prime minister to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from the very first day that he would ensure direct democracy. Now, its preparations are in final stages,” he maintained. 

Fawad said the process for nomination of candidates for local bodies’ elections would be started soon as all the preparations had been finalized in that regard while party workers especially in Punjab were told to mobilize political workers.Likewise, campaign for local bodies’ election was also being run in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The core committee also discussed issues pertaining to the Election Commission of Pakistan including the notices served upon him and Minister for Railways Azam Swati, and called for their withdrawal.

PM directs steps to cut prices of essential items                

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to bring down prices of essential commodities to give maximum relief to common man.

Chairing a meeting to review overall economic situation in the country, the prime minister was apprised of inflationary trend in the international commodity market and petroleum prices.

The prime minister said: “Like our exemplary response to COVID-19 pandemic, we are working hard to mitigate negative impacts of international inflation, especially in petroleum products and food items.”

He said stabilising macroeconomic indicators in the country was the government’s top priority to spur economic growth.Earlier, the prime minister was briefed about overall economic situation in the country.

The meeting was attended by Economic Affairs Minister Omar Ayub Khan, Energy Minister Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Industries Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Information Minister Ch Fawad Hussain, Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, Adviser on Finance Shaukat Fayyaz Tarin, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shehbaz Gill and Governor State Bank Dr Reza Baqir.