ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet, which here on Tuesday with prime minister, Imran Khan, in the chair constituted a 2 -member committee to consult with the opposition in parliament on thorny issue of the use of electronic voting machine (EVM) likely to be used in the next general elections. The committee comprises advisor to prime minister on Law , Babar Awan, and State minister’, Ali Mohammad Khan.
Briefing to the press on the decisions taken by the federal cabinet, Information minister, Fawad Hussain Chaudhary, said the issue of EVM was discussed in the cabinet meeting at length and it was followed by constitution of a committee to consult the issue with opposition and create consensus on it.
Fawad Chaudhary added the government was ready to consult with opposition on EVM issue to make the electoral reforms more meaningful.
The government as a part of its electroral reforms agenda is convinced the use of EVM could be the best solution to the complaints and concerns raised on the credibility of the general elections held in Pakistan in the past. It has made several attempts since introduction of the idea of the use of EVM in general elections to be held in 2023, to take the idea of EVM use to the parliament to make it a law, but it did not work as opposition refused to own it.
The opposition right from the introduction of the idea is opposing the possible use of EVM. The opposition doubts on credibility of EVM and believes it could be used for hijacking the elections in the future.
The minister claimed that revenue collection has increased by 42. 2 % in the first two months of the current fiscal year. He noted the federal cabinet has approved e visa for 191 countries to promote tourism in the country.
He said overseas Pakistanis were a great asset and they can not be excluded from the election process. Fawad Chaudhary maintained that right to vote to overseas Pakistanis would be an integral part of electoral reforms of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) government. He said the cabinet rejected a proposal of the Religious ministry to give 5- year term to a person who will be found involved in fake information on moon sighting. Rather, he noted, the cabinet decided to convert punishment term into a cash penality.
According to Fawad Chaudhary, the cabinet was given a detailed briefing on a summary for permitting approval for high rise building. The cabinet directed to all the concerned departments to remove hurdles in granting approval for construction of
highrise buildings
Giving details of the economic achievemens of PTI government, the minister said Pakistan’s
reserves have gone up 36 %, tax collection by 42.5 %. He told a questioner that the prople want recovery from Nawaz Sharif as he and his other family members plundered the national resources to make empire abroad.
He said the cabinet approved 12 years old vaccination policy and to make it a success a campaign would be run in schools. He claimed the price- hike was an international phenomenon and It hit salaried class only. He said rural population has better income as it had 1100 billion agro income last year.
