RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that continuation of all ongoing power projects, revival of economy and establishment of peace in the country are his top priorities.

While chairing the maiden cabinet meeting here on Friday, the Prime Minister stated that all the projects, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and power projects, would be implemented in letter and spirit for prosperity and development of the country as well as to end load-shedding. He added that the journey of economic revival and fight against terrorism will continue.

Abbasi also promised to continue the journey of progress and democracy initiated by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was disqualified by the Supreme Court in Panama Papers case. He also assured moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris’ struggle in their fight to get the right to self-determination.

The Prime Minister vowed to complete the developmental plans of 10 years in next 10 months and expressed his gratitude to the party for reposing trust in him.

He was of the view that the cabinet will work both on short-term goals and long-term targets concurrently and directed all ministers to give presentations on their ministries in coming days to apprise him of their working.

The meeting decided that the cabinet would meet at least once a week and the Prime Minister asked the participants that they are free to raise any issue in the meeting so that those issues can be addressed. The future meetings of the cabinet will be held in evenings to avoid disruption in office working, said Prime Minister Abbasi.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister encouraged the use of technology to enhance efficiency in the government departments.

“The message of our performance must be translated into action,” the Prime Minister asserted categorically. He also desired maximum participation of cabinet members in Parliament sessions.

The Prime Minister stated that he would be attending all the sessions of the Parliament and also directed cabinet members to take decisions regarding their own ministries themselves as he has delegated powers to them.

The procedure of sending summaries to Prime Minister Secretariat via Cabinet Division must be expedited to avoid delays, he said. Prime Minister Abbasi asked all ministers to present their short-term goals to the cabinet and the entire cabinet will work as a team to accomplish those goals.

At the end, the cabinet vowed to take forward the vision of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The cabinet approved all the 32-point agenda.