Following a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday, the G-20 countries announced that they have deferred the repayment of Pakistan’s $3.7 billion debt till the end of the year, which comes as a relief despite the Covid-19 pandemic negatively harming economic operations.
The cabinet also determined that a third party would oversee and evaluate the initiatives under the Public Sector Development Program, which was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan (PSDP).
The G-20 countries have approved the second phase of Dalhart’s Group Seasonal Index (DGSI), suspending Pakistan’s $ 3.7 billion loan repayment before the end of the year.
At a post-cabinet media briefing, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, “The suspension of the loan, which was supposed to be repaid immediately, is good news for the national economy.”
The cabinet has also decided to establish a third-party system to assess the use of funding on PSDP projects in the Centre and provinces.
“Moving our cable channels from their current analogue to digital mode would assure ratings transparency,” Fawad stated.
He went on to say that the measure would assist increase the number of channels available to up to 900 to 950, including science, technology, and history channels.
The minister stated that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) may announce the reopening of cinemas on June 30 as a result of the country’s improved Covid-19 positivity ratio.
“I spoke with the NCOC, and [Federal Minister] Asad Umar assured that theatres will reopen by June 30. The NCOC, however, will make the final judgement “He clarified his statement.
The machines, according to Fawad, were created in accordance with Pakistan’s Election Commission’s wishes (ECP).
He went on to say that the administration saw expatriates as an important part of the national mainstream, and that they should be given the opportunity to vote.
The parliamentary affairs ministry informed the cabinet during the meeting that the electoral reform legislation had been referred to the Senate following its passage by the National Assembly.
The cabinet also resolved that 42.6 percent of the income share of the Central Business District, which will be built at the Walton Airport site in Lahore, would go to Civil Aviation and 57.4 percent to the Punjab government, according to the minister.
“The Punjab government controlled 70 acres and the Civil Aviation held 52 acres,” he explained.
According to reports, Prime Minister Imran Khan conveyed his unhappiness with the opposition’s behaviour and instructed the party’s lawmakers to reply in kind.
