Matters with protesting religious group will be sorted within 24 hours, says PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed the hope that matters with a protesting religious group would be sorted out soon and the next 24 hours were critical in this regard. 

Speaking at a meeting of the federal cabinet, the prime minister was briefed about the protest. He said the government had been in touch with the religious group all the time, but the latter had also been preparing for a protest march side by side talks with the government. He said the government had information that some miscreants would try to take advantage of the situation. He said the government would not allow anyone to sabotage the peaceful environment in the country. According to the agreement, he said, demands of the religious group would be presented to the parliament. 

Federal Minister Ali Zaidi said the law and order situation in the country came under discussion at the cabinet meeting. The cabinet meeting gave approval of the 27-point agenda that was set for the cabinet meeting. No summary was rejected at the meeting. The cabinet meeting did not approve anyone’s release from the prison. The cabinet meeting approved appointment of the chairpersons and members of the National Commission on Status of Women and National Commission for Human Rights.

According to sources, the cabinet meeting approved visa fee exemption for foreign officers and diplomats coming to Pakistan on official visits. The cabinet also approved setting up Nadra desks for issuance of inheritance certificates at Pakistan missions in different countries. The meeting approved setting up facilitation and legal help centres in Islamabad for expatriates in need of legal help. The meeting also approved a regulatory framework for the pilgrim management policy.