Shehbaz Sharif says flood danger not yet over as deluge moving towards Sindh Cabinet condemns derogatory social media content against Armed Forces Approves resumption of new gas connections.
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced in-principle the approval for climate and agricultural emergency in view of the ongoing monsoon and flood situation across the country. In this regard, the prime minister will soon chair a meeting comprising the Chief Ministers of all four provinces and relevant officials to deliberate on a future strategy to mitigate further damage caused by the adverse effects of climate change.
The meeting of the federal cabinet was held here under the chairmanship of PM Shehbaz Sharif where the cabinet was briefed on the current flood situation and its damages. After thorough consultation, the decision to approve the emergency in-principle was taken.
The cabinet members highlighted the damage to millions of acres of agricultural land and crops, and presented suggestions regarding the restoration of infrastructure, compensation for agricultural losses, and support for farmers.
The cabinet also strongly condemned derogatory and offensive content and statements being spread on social media against the martyrs and the Armed Forces.
Tribute was paid to the officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces who are tirelessly defending Pakistan’s borders, as well as to the martyrs and their families who rendered great sacrifices for peace in the country.
The cabinet directed that strict action be taken against such malicious elements. On this occasion, the prime minister said that discouraging such elements at every forum and responding to their derogatory campaigns was a national responsibility.
He emphasised that the Pakistani nation can never forget the immense sacrifices of its martyrs and their families. “I, along with the entire nation, am proud of our martyrs and their families”. The cabinet also prayed for the elevation of ranks of Major Adnan Aslam Shaheed in Jannah, who sacrificed his life in the Bannu Operation.
The cabinet also offered condolences and prayers for the late mother of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, the late elder brother of Minister of State for Food Security, Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan, and the late father of former Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Asif Sanjrani.
The prime minister, strongly condemning the illegal and heinous bombing by Israeli forces in Doha, which resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to property, expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with the Emir of Qatar, the Qatari royal family, and the people of Qatar. Meanwhile, the cabinet approved, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Petroleum, the provision of RLNG connections to consumers waiting for gas connections.
Following the approval, Sui Southern and Sui Northern Gas Companies will begin providing these connections. The cabinet was informed that RLNG will cost 30% less for consumers compared to LPG. Later while speaking to reporters, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said that on the persistent public demand, the government had also decided to lift ban on new Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) based gas connections.
He said there had been a ban on new gas connections since 2021. He added that both gas companies have been asked to seek applications for new gas connections from the consumers.
The cabinet approved the trilateral intergovernmental framework agreement for a joint feasibility study between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Railways. The agreement, signed last month, is considered a key project for regional trade and connectivity. The cabinet’s endorsement reaffirms the government’s commitment for the completion of this strategic initiative.
The cabinet also endorsed decisions made by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (CCoIGCT), and Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases (CCLC).
‘Roadmap to face climate change impacts’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stressed upon formulation of a comprehensive roadmap and strategy to overcome the challenges posed by climate change, which had been pummeling the country with recurrent bouts of catastrophic effects.
Addressing a meeting of the cabinet, the prime minister noted that the recent floods and rains had caused vast devastation across the country with immense human and financial losses. Considering the climate changes impacts, they should come up with a programme as they were confronted with huge challenges which could not be overcome overnight, he added. The prime minister, in his remarks broadcast on national TV channels, said assessments were being made over the damages caused to different crops like wheat and cotton, adding about 1,000 lives had been lost while thousands had been rendered homeless with vast chunks of cultivable land inundated.
He said after the cabinet meeting, they were going to announce climate and agriculture emergency in the country. The prime minister further mentioned that the danger was not yet over as the flood deluge was moving towards Sindh province.
He emphasised that the federal and provinces would contribute to compensate the losses.
Referring to Israel’s attack on a residential compound in Qatari capital Doha the other day, the prime minister said this Israeli act ‘was a naked aggression which was highly condemnable.’
He said that he had talked to Emir of State of Qatar in the wake of incident and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the brotherly country. The Qatari Emir expressed his gratitude for showing complete solidarity.
In Gaza, he further said the bloodbath continued unabated, claiming lives of children, women, young and the elderly, adding that in the world’s history, there was no precedent of such like cruelty and brutality as unleashed by Israel.
The prime minister, about his recent visit to China, said that they had held bilateral meetings with the Chinese leadership.
He termed the holding of business conference in China ‘very effective and good one’ and appreciated the cabinet members, SIFC, DPM/FM and officials for making the event successful.
The prime minister underscored the need of follow ups which he said was requisite and made it loud and clear that he would not ‘allow the status quo, any king of complacency, or inordinate delays,’ which had marked the country’s history in the seven and half decades.
He said Pakistan-China B2B investment conference in Beijing culminated with agreements worth $8.5 billion, marking a significant step toward reshaping bilateral economic cooperation,
The prime minister informed that under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) phase-II focus would be made on agriculture sector and China would make 85 percent investment in different projects under its umbrella while 15percent investment would be made by Pakistan.
He further said the US companies would also make investment in the exploration of mines and minerals sector in Pakistan by using modern technology, adding that they were keen on improving ties with the US, besides strengthening strategic partnership with China.
The prime minister also paid tribute to the valour of Major Adnan Aslam shaheed who embraced martyrdom while fighting with Fitna al Khwarij operatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He said that he had attended his funeral prayer where he met with the members of the bereaved family whose morale was very high like the late son.
The prime minister commended the officers and personnel of the security forces who were sacrificing their lives while fighting with the enemies of the country.
He also stressed upon the need of discouraging the elements who had been churning out nefarious material on social media against the security forces terming it ‘highly condemnable.’ The prime minister said it was their responsibility that they should single out and identify such elements and with unwavering commitment, root them out.
He said such repugnant attitude towards the armed forces was unbearable and termed it a ‘fitna’ which should be crushed.
The cabinet also offered Fateha for the deceased mothers of Minister Chaudhry Junaid Anwar, Sadiq Sanjrani and others.
