PM's adviser on information and media Firdous Ashiq Awan. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has directed the Ministry of Law to review the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws, particularly its sections empowering the top anti-graft watchdog to take action against businessmen and bureaucrats.



“NAB actions have had a negative effect on business activities. The PM laid emphasis on taking necessary steps and amendments to restore the confidence of the business community and accelerate the economic process.



“The Ministry of Law has been asked to submit its suggestion with regard to such amendments in the next cabinet meeting,” said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan while addressing a news conference after a federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday.



According to sources privy to the meeting, it was the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab leader Nadeem Afzal Chan who called the attention of the meeting to NAB’s actions that, he said, have been hindering business activities and also spreading fear among bureaucrats.



The sources said most to the ministers seconded Chan’s opinion that NAB laws should be amended and later Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the Ministry of Law to submit its recommendations.



Dr Firdous said the cabinet also agreed to take the Kashmir case to international forums as India has not lifted curfew in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and continued violating human rights in the valley.



She said Prime Minister Imran informed the cabinet about his telephonic conversation with the US President Donald Trump. The prime minister, she said, apprised the US president of the curfew imposed in the IOK for the last 16 days and the brutalities of the occupation forces.



“Imran Khan also informed President Trump that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to carry out genocide and ethnic cleansing in the occupied Kashmir, after its complete lockdown and suppressing the Kashmiris' human rights,” she added.



Dr Firdous said the media should be given access to the held valley so that the world could know about the situation on the ground. Narendra Modi is acting like Hitler and the media should highlight the oppression and atrocities being perpetrated by his forces in held Kashmir, she added.



She said the prime minister appreciated the role played by the overseas Pakistanis for Kashmir cause.



She said as a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India tried to stop its meeting on Kashmir but the US did not come to its support, which shows the latter's sensitivity towards the issue. Britain has also made strong remarks about the situation in Kashmir, she added.



“Prime Minister Imran Khan would address the UN General Assembly session on September 27 while Modi would speak on September 26,” she added.



She said the premier extended the tenure of the army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in order to ensure the continuation of the policy. “The credit of implementing the National Action Plan and carrying forward operation Zarb-e-Azb and strengthening the parliament goes to Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa,” she added.



The special assistant said the cabinet discussed a 13-item agenda, adding that the prime minister instructed every minister to bring practical proposals which were beneficial to the public.



Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the cabinet about the efforts to redress people's grievances. The PM directed the Grievances Wing of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and PM Portal to share information on public complaints with each other to avoid duplication.



Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul told the members about the concept of using solar stoves in hilly areas and the prime minister directed that the proposal should be executed.



Dr Firdous said the media would be made part of the campaign ‘Plant for Pakistan’. The youth would be provided fruit trees so that they could become financially independent by growing orchards, she added.



She said the prime minister directed that proposals of Information Technology and Energy ministries should be turned into projects. The cabinet was told about the upgrading of electricity system and repair of transformers by the public utility companies to save money.



She said the government would bear expenses of those who became a victim in electricity accidents. The cabinet decided to give easy loans to the people of northern areas for the building of an extra room adjacent to their houses so that they could rent it to tourists and earn extra income.



WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP