ISLAMABAD: The cabinet Tuesday deliberated on a proposal about easing lockdown and restrictions across country from May 9. However, a final decision in this regard will be taken in the National Command and Operation Centre meeting on Wednesday (today).

This was stated by Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz while giving briefing to the media about the decisions taken during the federal cabinet meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.

The PM, addressing the cabinet members, again emphasised taking care of the vulnerable segments of society, and those who have been deprived of their livelihood in the wake of the lockdown. The PM backed the proposal of easing restrictions in the country, keeping in view the hardships being faced by people due to the lockdown. However, he warned of abrupt spike in infections if the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were not implemented strictly after easing of the lockdown.

The information minister said Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar had remarked that the war against the virus could be won only by sitting back at home.

He said the prime minister and all cabinet members, including ministers, state ministers, advisors and special assistants decided to donate their one-month salary to Prime Minister's Covid-19 Relief Fund.

The minister said the gesture had been shown in view of the prevalent situation and difficulties being faced by the people.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar briefed the cabinet about the coronavirus situation in the country. The cabinet was informed that Pakistan's situation was far better than many developed countries as far as Covid-19 infections and deaths from the virus were concerned.

The cabinet meeting was informed that the committee on election reforms had sent its report to the Ministry of Law and Justice. Shibli Faraz said the PM wanted the election process to be transparent and unbiased, and it must have trust of masses. The PM said reformation of electoral system was part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) agenda and that would remain its topmost priority.

The minister noted that the PM raised a point that reformation of criminal justice system was imperative, as the cases keep lingering on for decades. He asked the law and justice minister to finalise reformation in the criminal justice system within six months.

The premier also advised that modern technology should be introduced at police stations to change ‘Thana’ (police station) culture. The meeting was given update on the conversion of police stations into model police stations with introduction of modern technology.

On the directives of the Supreme Court, he said the cabinet was informed that 76 illegal appointments were made to seven divisions on high posts during the previous government. “All ministries concerned have been advised to present the related report in the next cabinet meeting and decisions on these illegal appointments would be made soon,” he added.

The forum was told that during 81 cabinet meetings, a total of 1,630 decisions were made, out of which 1,376 (86pc) had been implemented, whereas decisions on 114 (7pc) were in the stage of implementation.

The minister said the cabinet deliberated on the issue of ban on import of goods from India, except for life-saving drugs. The PM ordered for ensuring that there was no violation of the ban.

Shibli Faraz said the cabinet gave approval to a proposal about appointment of a grade-20 officer of Audit and Accounts Service of Pakistan Naveed Asghar Chaudhry as Member Finance, Wapda. The cabinet also approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between Akhuwat Pakistan and Akhuwat USA, which would help collect donations for the PM's Corona Relief Fund.

Shibli said the cabinet gave approval for export of locally-made hand-sanitizers after fulfilling the local needs, to earn foreign exchange. Noting that there was surplus quantity of rice available in the country, the cabinet gave approval for export of surplus rice.

The cabinet reviewed the process of implementation of its decisions for facilitation of overseas Pakistanis. He added the cabinet decided to include 61 food and non-food items in the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) list.

He said that Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Social Welfare Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the cabinet about the ongoing process of financial help of vulnerable segments of society through Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme. The cabinet was informed that in addition to 400,000 data of the previous governments, almost 810,000 new families have been added to the data. She said that Ehsaas Emergency Cash programme was being implemented in a most transparent manner on the basis of merit.

The minister said the PM listened to the suggestions given by various cabinet members and decisions were made taking all of them onboard. The new IT minister, Aminul Haq, of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) was welcomed to the meeting.

Shibli Faraz said the cabinet also approved unanimously the reconstitution of the National Commission for Minorities, consisting of defined minorities, including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Parsis. To a question, the minister noted that what was reported was incorrect with regards to the commission.

The minister noted that instead of bringing the institutions under individuals, Prime Minister Imran Khan gave them independence by putting them under the law. He recalled that the incumbent chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was appointed after consultations between the then government and the opposition.

About those, appearing before NAB and then coming out making victory signs and behaving like tarzan despite having been grilled by NAB authorities, he said that the media could discourage that unfortunate trend by not giving coverage to them outside the Bureau offices.

Shibli informed the media that he himself underwent a corona test on Monday and its result was negative.