Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, which received a two-thirds majority in Parliament, is expected to be a pivotal development for the country's economic and political stability.
Chairing the meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, he addressed the delays that citizens experience in legal proceedings and expressed confidence that the amendment, which aims to establish constitutional benches, will lead to faster and more accessible justice.
PM Shehbaz also pointed out that this amendment aligns with the vision outlined in the Charter of Democracy (CoD) and was crafted after thorough discussions with various political parties, including the opposition.
The prime minister emphasized that the amendment reflects a collaborative spirit among different stakeholders.
PM Shehbaz commended the efforts of various government bodies, including the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Interior, the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and the Capital Development Authority (CDA), for their contributions to successfully hosting the SCO heads of government meeting in Islamabad, which he believes has positively impacted Pakistan’s image.
Regarding the upcoming visit of the Chinese Premier, he stated that it will further enhance the strong ties between the two countries.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the gradual improvement in the economy, noting that inflation has fallen to 6.9% and that the policy rate has decreased significantly, with expectations for further reductions.
He voiced serious concerns about the ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon, urging for an immediate ceasefire to stop the suffering of innocent civilians.
PM Shehbaz highlighted that a comprehensive plan has been devised to deliver humanitarian assistance to the affected populations in Gaza and Lebanon, encouraging the public to contribute to the Prime Minister’s relief fund.
The prime minister also raised alarms about the increasing number of polio cases in Pakistan and requested a report on the situation. He instructed relevant authorities to create an emergency plan aimed at completely eradicating polio in the country.
During the meeting, the federal cabinet approved the Ministry of Human Rights' recommendation to forward "The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2024" to the Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Cases. This legislation is set to apply to the Islamabad Capital Territory and aims to establish a framework for preventing domestic violence.
The cabinet approved the appointments of Lieutenant General Retd Moazzam Ejaz, Engineer Faheem Iqbal, and Asim Shehryar Hussain as private members of the Board of Management of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission based on the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training’s recommendation.
Following the Ministry of Law and Justice’s recommendation, the cabinet also approved the creation of a Transmitting and Receiving Agency to handle applications under the Claims for Maintenance (Recovery Abroad) Ordinance, 1959.
The federal cabinet appointed the chairperson and members of the examining body for the "National Council for Tibb" based on recommendations from the Ministry of National Health Services and approved the restructuring of the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan as well.