Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker federal cabinet on Wednesday decided to hold an open trial of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Al-Azizia and Flagship references.

The cabinet also rescinded an earlier decision to conduct corruption proceedings against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo inside Adiala jail.

Nawaz was sent to jail last week after his conviction in the Avenfield properties reference following which a notification was issued ordering the trial of the remaining two corruption references against him inside the jail premises.

As the cabinet met under the chair of interim Prime Minister Justice (r) Nasir-ul-Mulk, it took up the matter of reversing the notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice as per the NAB ordinance.

Now, the trial of the former prime minister in the Al-Azizia and Flagship references will take place in the accountability court where the proceedings have been under way since last year. The next hearing of the cases is due on July 30.

Moreover, during the cabinet meeting, the interim interior minister gave a briefing to the cabinet on the country’s overall law and order situation with a special focus on security preparations for the July 25 elections. The interior secretary briefed the cabinet about the measures being taken to complement provincial governments in ensuring law and order during general elections scheduled to be held on July 25.The measures included deployment of over 42,000 civil armed forces, information sharing with the provincial governments through NACTA, provision of aviation support and technical assistance by FIA and NADRA. The cabinet emphasized on the provincial governments to ensure strict following of election code of conduct and the security protocols.

The cabinet approved various measures, proposed by the Finance Division to facilitate implementation of the action plan to fulfill country’s commitment towards anti-money laundering and countering terror-financing.

The cabinet also approved issuance of notification regarding exemption of federal taxes in the areas of erstwhile FATA/ PATA, initially for a period of three months. Amendment in Section 6(3) of Elections Act, 2017, was also approved.

Later, addressing a press conference, caretaker federal minister for information, broadcasting, national history and literary heritage Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said the federal cabinet in its meeting has decided that sales tax on electricity and manufacturing and income tax on profits would not be collected in FATA and PATA. He said that tax exemptions announced for FATA in the tenure of previous government would be implemented as part of plan of merger of tribal areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The minister said neither sales nor income tax would be levied for five years in FATA. Sales tax on electricity bills of domestic, commercial and industrial consumers in FATA would not be collected either. The provincial governor would issue an ordinance for taxation matters in FATA, he said. People of FATA would get their constitutional rights and other facilities, while jurisdiction of Supreme Court and high court as per constitution and law would be extended to former tribal areas, he added.

The cabinet decided to contribute a portion of its salary in the fund meant for construction of Diamer Basha and Mohmand dams. Under the plan, the cabinet members will donate their one-month salary, whereas the federal government employees of BS-17 to 22 officials and BS-1 to 16 employees will contribute two-day and one-day salaries respectively.

Appointment of Muhammad Saleem, district and sessions judge, as Judge Banking Court-II Lahore for a period of three years was approved.

The cabinet approved withdrawal of a summary dated July 13, 2018, and the order issued under Sub-Section (B) of Section 16 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

The cabinet approved ordinance for re-validation of Competitive Examination Rules 2016 and 2017.

The meeting also approved a proposal to assign additional charge of the post of chairman Port Qasim Authority to Asad Rafi Chandna (BS-21).

NAB court adjourns Nawaz’s corruption cases till July 30 —A5

Published in Daily Times, July 19^th 2018.