Federal cabinet defers national strategy meeting again

Islambad Cabinet Meeting – (Web Desk) – A key federal cabinet meeting, originally called to review and finalize a strategy in response to recent violent protests against the United States in several cities, was postponed for the second time. The session had been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, but was once again delayed without an official explanation. Sources said a new date and time will be announced later.

The meeting was initially convened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, ahead of a joint session of parliament at 9:30 a.m., but was later rescheduled for Tuesday. This change comes after adjustments to the parliamentary timetable, which included moving the joint session from 10 a.m. on Monday to 3 p.m., during which President Asif Ali Zardari addressed lawmakers.

Prime Minister Sharif was expected to chair the cabinet meeting to discuss the recent wave of protests in cities such as Karachi and Islamabad, which followed heightened tensions in the Middle East after Iranian strikes. The cabinet was to review the regional security situation, including updates on the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Officials also said the meeting would include briefings on developments along the Pak-Afghan border and the Taliban’s activities inside Pakistan.

In addition to security matters, significant economic and administrative decisions were anticipated at the meeting.

According to the report, key decisions regarding the possible issuance of newly designed currency notes and the future of the Rs10 banknote were expected to come under discussion.

Insiders said that recommendations on the introduction of redesigned banknotes had been included in the cabinet agenda. The federal cabinet had earlier assigned a committee headed by the finance minister to examine the matter and submit proposals for consideration.

Sources revealed that the committee proposed issuing new design banknotes in denominations of Rs100, Rs500, Rs1,000 and Rs5,000. These recommendations were likely to be discussed and potentially approved during the meeting.

The cabinet had also sought proposals regarding the future of the Rs10 banknote. The committee was directed to assess the feasibility of abolishing the Rs10 note and replacing it with a Rs10 coin.

IMF praises Pakistan’s recent economic reforms and progress

The meeting was set to deliberate on a seven-point agenda, which included the presentation of a summary related to the Hajj Policy 2027–30.