Some important decisions were taken at the federal cabinet meeting held in Islamabad on Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair. The cabinet allowed the Election Commission of Pakistan to use electronic voting machines, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that the federal cabinet gave approval to two ordinances allowing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections.

Addressing a news conference after the federal cabinet meeting, the minister said EVMs use is very effective as it provides the result of a whole constituency in 20 minutes.

He said the election commission will work for giving the voting right to overseas Pakistanis.

He said through the second ordinance the acquisition of an inheritance certificate has been made easy.

The cabinet was also briefed on the situation with respect to the coronavirus in the country, authorities’ efforts to make people comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the medical facilities being provided to the patients. 

The cabinet gave approval to the appointment of member production at Heavy Industries, Taxila. 

Similarly, it gave a green signal to the issuance of a coin on the occasion of the centennial celebrations of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore. 

Likewise, it also approved making the national policy clear on the present economic situation of the country. 

The federal cabinet also gave approval to considerably commute sentences of prisoners on the eve of Eidul Fitr. The 30-day commutation which is normally announced on the eve of Eid has now been enhanced to 90 days.

It also approved the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel along with police to make people comply with the SOPs. 

The cabinet also okayed the appointment of chief executive officer construction in Pakistan Railways. 

Likewise, it approved the appointment of members on the National Bank’s board of directors (BoD). 

It also gave a green signal to the restructuring of the Board of Trustees of Karachi Port Trust. 

Similarly, approval was also given to signing an agreement for the constitution of the Saudi Pakistan Supreme Council.  

The federal cabinet also approved the signing of MoU for collaborating with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for making the environment better. 

Later talking to the media, interior minister Sheikh Rashid said the cabinet had approved commuting sentences of prisoners by 90 days. “However, this concession has not been offered to the people serving jail terms in connection with heinous crimes,” he clarified. 

He further said that there would be so many things to cheer about in the upcoming budget as it would give relief to the people.

Reporter Owais Kiani