ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said Cabinet had called for an immediate halt to Israeli bombardment of civilian areas of Gaza, in addition to lifting of blockade for provision of relief items to civil population.

He said Cabinet meeting, presided over by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar also called for prompt measures to allow international aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

Addressing news conference along with Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hassan Fawad, he said forum strongly condemned Israel’s bombardment, particularly targeting civil population in Gaza besides expressing concern over volatile situation, stemming from Israel’s illegal occupation, oppression of Palestinians for decades and blatant violations of United Nations Security Council Resolutions in this regard.

Cabinet stressed that issue of Palestine should be resolved in accordance with relevant UNSC resolution, he said, adding it also called for restoration of pre-1967 status of Palestine.

He said Cabinet reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance for resolution of Palestine issue in line with aspirations of its people.

Solangi said forum reiterated proposal for establishment of an independent Palestinian state with its borders predating Israel’s illegal occupation in 1967 as well as Bait-ul-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital.

He said Prime Minister had directed federal ministers to undertake only essential foreign visits. Cabinet had approved appointments of former Lahore High Court judge Sohail Nasir as Deputy Chairman of NAB and Syed Ehtesham Qadir Shah as NAB Prosecutor General Accountability, he added.

In Cabinet meeting, he said approval was also accorded to proposal of hiring services of Consortium for Financial Advisory for Pakistan International Airlines’ privatisation.

On recommendation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said Cabinet had approved receipt of PLA Commemorative Award Medal from China to Brigadier Shahid Amir for his services for promotion of Pakistan-China relations.

He said on recommendation of Ministry of Interior, Cabinet approved extradition of Pakistani citizen Shahzad Ahmed to United Arab Emirates in fraud case. Similarly, approval for extradition Arshad Ali to Kuwait was also given during meeting.

He said both accused would be extradited to these countries in line with extradition agreements signed by Pakistan with them.

Solangi said Cabinet had ratified decisions made during Economic Coordination Committee meeting held on October 3, 2023. Likewise, decisions taken in meetings held on January 21 and 28 regarding State-Owned Enterprises were also ratified by Cabinet, he added.

No action was being taken against Afghan citizens who had proof of Registration Cards and residing in Pakistan for last 40 years, he said, while responding to query.

To another query, he said electoral history of country suggested that polls were held in extreme cold and hot weather. Elections would be held as per schedule, issued by Election Commission of Pakistan, he said, adding caretaker government would provide all-out assistance to electoral body in this regard.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 12 2023

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