Federal cabinet decides to approach LHC against Shehbaz Sharif 

Islamabad: The federal cabinet has approved to proceed against Opposition Leader in National Assembly (NA) and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in the Lahore High Court (LHC) for submitting false affidavit in fraudulently escaping former premier Nawaz Sharif abroad.

Briefing the journalists this afternoon about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet under the chair of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said that Nawaz Sharif's proceeding abroad on the pretext of medical reasons was an utter fraud.

He said that Nawaz Sharif has been living in London for 17 months, but he has not taken any treatment. He said the Punjab government has rejected all the medical reports submitted by the Sharif family. He said Pakistan's embassy in London also contacted the Sharif family twice, but it did not cooperate.

Shehbaz Sharif Should Be Disqualified

Fawad Chaudhry said Shehbaz Sharif had submitted an affidavit guaranteeing return of his elder brother, who neither got any treatment nor returned to Pakistan. He said Shehbaz Sharif was fully involved in Nawaz Sharif's escape from the country. He said the government will pray the court that Shehbaz Sharif should be disqualified for submitting a false affidavit or he should be bound to bring back his brother as per promise.

No Lockdown To Be imposed In Country

The minister also maintained that the cabinet was also briefed about COVID situation in the country. He said it has been decided that no lockdown will be imposed in the country as Pakistan's economy cannot afford this. He appealed the people to observe precautionary measures, especially wearing of face masks at public places, to prevent spread of the virus. He said the government will keep monitoring the situation.

Next Elections Through EVM

Regarding Electronic Voting Machines, the information minister said the Ministry of Science and Technology has been directed to provide EVMs to the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold next elections in Islamabad through these machines to ensure transparency.

Housing Project On 400 Kanals For Overseas Pakistanis

Fawad Chaudhry said the cabinet also approved launching of a Housing Project on 400 kanals for overseas Pakistanis. He said overseas Pakistanis can procure apartments in this project through Roshan Digital Accounts. He said the government will fetch around two billion dollars through this project. He said the cabinet also directed to frame a policy to enable foreigners to procure land in Pakistan.

Electricity Tariff Adjustment

The minister said the federal cabinet approved electricity tariff adjustment of one rupee per unit for next three months to provide relief to the people. “Besides, Science, Technology, and Innovation policy, Sambarial-Kharian Motorway, import of urea from China, and privatization of Guddu and Nandipur power plants were approved.”