ISLAMABAD : Prime minister , Shahbaz Sharif , while presiding over his first ever cabinet meeting here on Wednesday, ordered formation of a commission to investigate urea smuggling in Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) government . The cabinet, which took up 8 point agenda also constitution of a committee headed by Law minister , Azam Nazir Tarar and comprising Syed Naveed Qamar and Ayaz Sadiq, approved revamp and re set of exit control list (ECL). The committee will submit its report to the federal cabinet for review and final decision in three working days.
Information minister , Maryam Aurangzeb , and Finance minister , Mifta Ismael, briefed the journalists about the decision taken by the federal cabinet.
Mifta Ismael said PTI government intentionally damaged the economy seeing its ouster. He said “ On seeing its exit, Imran government planed mines for next government and took all those decisions which could damage Pakistan’s economy and make recovery process difficult”. He claimed that
PTI government top allowed smuggling of urea produced from subsidized gas. He said the industry is offered gas at $ 2 per BTU against its original p0rice of $ 30 per BTU so that the farmer get cheaper urea and in return produce cheaper wheat. He said the PTI government rather than ensuring supply of cheap urea to the farmers facilitated its smuggling to Iran, Central Asian countries which caused huge loss to the national economy. Mifta Ismel said the prime minister has ordered to constitute a commission to probe urea smuggling and submit report to the cabinet for action against those who were involved in this criminal act.
Mifta Ismael said the last government has left circular debt of Rs 1.5 trillion that put the entire energy sector at the brink of an imminent collapse. The finance minister added that Imran Khan government stopped receiving tax on petroleum products some three months back and his single wrong decision will cost Rs 370 to the national exchequer by June 30, 2022. Recalling the worsening power situation in the country, Mifta Ismael said the PTI government left entire power sector plants without proper management and maintenance that resulted in loss of 7500 MW in power generation. The finance minister said PTI did not take timely maintenance of power plants and it resulted in closure of 27 power plants. He said “ The closure of 27 power plants due to non supply of duel and lack of maintenance brought Pakistan back into the load shedding times”.
Mifta Ismeal also said the PTI government destroyed Pakistan’s economy in its last three and half years . He said the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) government had 6.1 percent GDP while it went to below zero in the second year of PTI government . He said PTI government had added Rs 20000 billion in Pakistan’s debt in its quarter to four years rule. The finance minister claimed that PTI government bhas left deficit of Rs 5575 billion which is highest ever in Pakistan’s history.
The finance minister said he was leaving for Washington tonight to have discussion with International Monetary Find (IMF) on its programme . He said PMLN government will protect the pro poor unlike Imran Khan government while having negotiation with IMF for resumption of tis programme. Mifta Ismeal hoped that his corrective measures will help stop further downslide of the rupee against dollar.
Maryam Aurangzeb said the prime minister while presiding over the cabinet meeting had decided that Punjab government will provide sugar and atta to Azad Kashmir government as gift. The prime minister has also ordered to ensure sufficient supply of atta and sugar to Gilgit Baltistan.
