Says Tariq Malik appointed as new Nadra Chairman
Islamabad – Staff Reporter:
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of any military airbase of the United States (US) in Pakistan as all such facilities were under its own use.
It was the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which after coming into the power, ended drone surveillance facility given to the US in the past, Fawad said while briefing media persons about the decisions taken in the Federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
All the airbases are under the use of Pakistan. Right now, no negotiations in this regard are underway as Pakistan cannot give any airbase to any country, he said while pointing out the policy statement given by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the Senate.
As regards the premeditate truck attack on a Muslim family in Canada, the Minister condemned the terrorist act. The West, which always blames the Muslims for extremism, should do some soul-searching as a Muslim family was ruthlessly martyred there. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan, time and again, had drawn the attention of world towards Islamophobia by raising the issue vociferously at the global fora.
Unfortunately, Islamophobia had completely penetrated into the Western society, which was needed to be rectified through remedial measures at war-footing, he added.
Talking about Pakistan-England cricket series, Fawad said that the federal cabinet has rejected the request of Pakistan Television (PTV) to sign an agreement with Indian companies – Star and Sony – to broadcast the series.
“The cabinet has rejected the request of PTV to sign an agreement with Star and Sony to air the England-Pakistan cricket series,” he said.
“Star and Sony have monopoly over all he cricket content of South Asia and the entire rights are with the Indian companies,” Fawad added. “We cannot sign agreement with any Indian company and so the series will not be aired in Pakistan,” he stated. However, we will try to find a middle ground by approaching the ECB English Cricket Board], the minister added.
He said the government had already made it clear that our relations with India depend on whether or not the latter would revoke its August 5, 2019 actions regarding Occupied Kashmir’s autonomy.
With respect to the legislation on the proposed electronic voting machines, Fawad said they awaited the National Assembly’s nod.
“We have been inviting the opposition to deliberate on the matter to come up with a joint solution,” he maintained, adding that the government was determined to give the overseas Pakistanis the right to vote.
“The cabinet has approved appointing an independent chairman and board of directors of the First Women Bank,” Fawad informed.
He further informed that Tariq Malik has been appointed as the new chairman of Nadra (National Database and Registration Authority) in view of his vast experience.
There have been more than 60 appointments during the government’s tenure and all have been made transparently, the information minister added.
He further stated that a comprehensive draft with regard to the criminal law reforms had been submitted with the premier.
Regarding the Ehsas programme, Fawad informed that 91 per cent survey regarding the new disbursements under the programme has been completed.
Fawad said the opposition’s negative narrative on inflation and ruining of the economy has met a natural death. Now the opposition’s internal differences and leadership’s infighting will finish their remaining politics, he tweeted. He said the serious parliamentary leadership of the opposition wanted to hold dialogue with the government about electoral reforms while non-serious leadership was an obstacle in the way.
