Prime Minister Imran Khan will soon announce a “mega relief package” that will help out nearly 10 million people from the under-privileged section of the society who are suffering due to unprecedented inflation.
Addressing a press conference after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) core committee meeting on Monday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said two major agendas, including a mega package and upcoming local government elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, came under discussion.
Other than that, Fawad said the core committee expressed concerns over the constant increase in fuel prices at the international market.
“Though, the government has taken steps to prevent impact of inflation from passing on to the masses,” he added.
The premier was specifically worried that as to how long will it take to control inflation, he maintained.
The meeting also discussed an action plan to deal with the country’s energy issues, Fawad said.
“There has been confusion that either the elections of mayors in Punjab would be held directly or indirectly.
“It has been decided that the elections will be held in a direct way and the cities will elect their own mayors through direct elections,” the minister said.
“This was the promise made by the prime minister to the PTI from the very first day that he would ensure direct democracy.
“Now, its preparations are in final stages,” he maintained.
Fawad said the process for nomination of candidates for local bodies’ elections would start soon as all the preparations had been finalised while party workers, especially in Punjab, were told to mobilise political workers.
Likewise, the campaign for the local bodies’ election was also being run in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The core committee also discussed issues pertaining to the Election Commission of Pakistan, including the notices served upon him and the Minister for Railways Azam Swati, and called for their withdrawal.
DISUNITY IN PARTY ANGERS PREMIER: Prime Minister Imran expressed “anger” over the “disunity” among the PTI leaders and directed them to back federal ministers Azam Swati and Fawad Chaudhry amid a row with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The prime minister reportedly made these remarks during a meeting of the party core committee held to discuss the ongoing political situation in the country after protests by the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
It is learnt that the prime minister appeared dissatisfied with his cabinet ministers and party leadership and expressed dismay that they do not get united on any issue.
He told them to “speak the same language” on national and political issues.
PM Imran, said insiders, gave an example of MQM-P lawmakers, who, according to him, always back each other.
The premier directed the party leadership to accompany Azam Swati and Fawad when they would appear before the ECP. Both the ministers are facing contempt charges for levelling allegations against the ECP and the chief election commissioner.
The committee also expressed concern over notices issued by the ECP, saying they were unjust and should be withdrawn immediately.
It is also learnt that the premier directed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar to get the local bodies election draft approved by the cabinet as soon as possible.
Regarding the accord signed with the proscribed outfit, the prime minister forbade the party members from discussing it publicly.
