Ministers set out austerity measures
MAJORITY OF IMRAN’S MINISTERS ASSUME OFFICE, STRESS MERIT AT ALL LEVELS
The majority of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Federal Cabinet, after taking oath as ministers and advisers, have assumed charge of their respective ministries. The first directions they gave to their ministries’ staff and officers were on adopting austerity measures and ensuring merit at all levels.
Later, at press conferences, they rolled out an ambitious programme of development, related to their ministries, sections or departments. They were also briefed by the top officers of their ministries, secretaries and other officers regarding the current situation, fiscal position and ongoing projects.
Those who took charge included Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Railways Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad; Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari; Minister for National Health Services Aamir Mehmood Kiyani; Minister for Information & Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry; Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood; Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan; Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fahmida Mirza; Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal Khan; Minister for IT Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui; Minister for Law & Justice Dr Farogh Naseem; Adviser to PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan; and others.
Qureshi, after attending a briefing by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, held a media briefing at the Foreign Office and outlined the PTIgovernment’s foreign policy. In a nutshell, he said Pakistan wanted good relations with all neighbouring states including India.
On the US, he said Pakistan considered its relations with US important, but at the same time, it would be based on mutual trust and respect.
Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad reached the National Press Club after attending the briefing by the Railway Ministry’s officers and expressed his resolve to initiate efficient train services, overcome losses, stop political interference and transform Pakistan Railways into an innovative and corruption-free organisation.
Aamir Kiyani said that he and his team would make every endeavour to fulfil Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of improving the health sector, a top priority of the new government.
Malik Amin Aslam also pledged to prevent Pakistan’s climate vulnerability by increasing the country’s tree cover, water conservation and storage, and boosting climate-resilient food security measures.