Cabinet to accord final approval today

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (Feb 9) with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair will accord final approval of renegotiated agreements, mode of payment and arbitration mechanism. Both the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) and Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) have already approved the agreements.

The Cabinet will also discuss the country's economic, political and Covid situation and use of vaccine in the country.

The statement of Director General ISPR is also expected to be discussed during the meeting as the government believes that the statement has come after opposition parties and media persons talked about contacts and meetings between opposition leaders and the establishment, due to which their tones have changed. Minister for Interior recently stated that Asif Ali Zardari has played his cards well, and his bail is now confirmed, which according to political analysts is indicative of a rapprochement with the Establishment.

The Ordinance recently issued with respect to open ballot in Senate is also expected to be discussed.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that a reference may also be presented before cabinet against Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplaces, Kashmala Tariq. Prime Minister had directed Minister for Law to investigate, the source of millions of rupees transferred into her personal account and the accident of her official vehicle which claimed four lives in Islamabad.

Chairman Task Force on IT and Telecom will give a presentation on the IT sector, its issues and future strategy.

Establishment Division will share update on vacant positions of heads/CEOs of the Public Sector Organizations.

Ministry of Communication will give a presentation on Metro Bus Project Islamabad, which is still incomplete despite passage of years of its commencement.

Ministry of Interior will submit a summary to the Cabinet for appointment of Administrator, Metropolitan Corporation, Islamabad.

Ministry of Law and Justice will present a summary regarding issues in establishment of 30 additional Accountability Courts in the light of Supreme Court's decision.

The Cabinet will also ratify the decisions of Cabinet Committee on CPEC held on February 3, 2021. The decisions and minutes of the ECC held on February 3, 2021 will also be ratified.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN