Coronavirus cases in Pakistan: Cabinet briefed on recent developments, Awan says

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet was on Tuesday briefed on the developing situation after a sharp spike in novel coronavirus cases. 

Total confirmed cases in Pakistan have risen to more than a dozen in Pakistan, SAPM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan confirmed on Tuesday. The tally currently stands at 18. 

Addressing a press conference, Dr Awan said Dr Zafar Mirza and Zulfi Bukhari, the SAPMs on health and overseas Pakistanis, respectively, had also apprised the cabinet — presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan — of their talks with the parents of students stuck in China's Wuhan. 

Further, 11 of the 12 items on the cabinet meeting agenda were approved after discussions, she said.

A detailed briefing was also given to PM Imran over Federal Secretariat employees' strike and protest last week, Dr Awan added, noting that the premier has directed that the federal and provincial civil servants should be given equal pay.

Reports on sugar, wheat crises

Directives pertaining to testing employees from various grades were given to the cabinet.

People were looking up to the prime minister and the government for relief, she said. A detailed report on the flour crisis will be released by Saturday, she added.

The director-general of the FIA informed the cabinet that it was necessary to have a forensic report on the sugar crisis, while PM Imran directed that the report be furnished quickly.

Most members of the cabinet were of the opinion that the reports on the flour and wheat crises should be made public immediately.

BOI chair's resignation approved

On the other hand, the cabinet also approved Board of Investment Chairperson Zubair Gilani's resignation hours after The News reported that he had stepped down due to personal reasons.

A day earlier, a top official had confirmed to The News that Gilani was parting ways with the incumbent regime because of differences with some members of the economic team. 

He "is on his way out as he has been conveyed plainly either to resign or find any other department if he wants to remain part of the government”, the official had said.