The federal cabinet that met with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair on Monday took up a 13-point agenda. The meeting was briefed about outsourcing big airports and Information Minister Shibli Faraz told the media that 90 days were given to get legal formalities done.

The cabinet approved the appointment of Pak-Arab Oil Refinery managing director, extension in suspension span of ‘fake’ pilots, contract of National Industrial Relations Commission chairman and reconstitution of Export Development Fund board.

The meeting endorsed the decisions of ECC and the energy committee they made last month. However, it deferred the matter of granting immunity to persons on the fourth schedule list of four provinces.

'Good sign'

Prime Minister Imran Khan showed satisfaction at economic stability and issued directives to continue ‘measures for improvement’. INP news agency quoted the premier as saying: “It is a good sign that Moody’s has stabilised the outlook for the country’s economy”. 

During the media briefing, the information minister blamed the economic mess on the previous governments and Covid-19 outbreak while he claimed the world bodies were ‘acknowledging Pakistan’s economic recovery. 

“The situation in Pakistan is better than in India. There are multiple causes for inflation in the country, including coronavirus. Previous government artificially maintained the currency’s exchange rate, resulting in a deficit at the moment the PTI took over. 

‘Marriage revellers rally’

About Maryam Nawaz incident, the minister said the daughter of ex-premier Nawaz Sharif was called to appear before the national accountability bureau but she led a ‘marriage revellers rally’ to NAB.

“She should be ashamed of what she had done. Maryam group is staging demo today and Shehbaz Sharif’s turn is tomorrow. Nawaz Sharif left workers in the lurch and went abroad. We are here to get rid of such a culture."

'Don’t cast doubts on Saudi-Pak ties' 

He insisted that doubts must not be cast on Saudi-Pak ties, saying:  “Saudi Arabia is a friend and friends can be approached for financial help. So doubts should not be cast over Saudi Arabia loan payments.”