By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday placed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s name on Exit Control List (ECL) in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case, ARY News reported, citing sources. The cabinet meeting gives the approval to put names of Maryam Nawaz and Javed Latif on ECL after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had recommended putting the PML-N leaders on ECL. This recommendation was made in a letter penned by the NAB Lahore to the Interior Ministry to place Maryam’s name on the ECL in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. It is to be mentioned here that Maryam Nawaz’s name is already placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) in Al Azizia reference, which she had challenged in the LHC. The high court is set to Maryam Nawaz’s plea seeking removal of her name from the ECL on January 15. Chaudhry Sugar Mills case The Sharif family has been accused of using CSM for money-laundering and illegal transfer of its shares. According to NAB, the family took a $15 million loan on the pretext to set up the mill despite the fact that it had already been established before the loan was acquired. The NAB maintains that more than Rs7 million worth of shares were transferred to PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz in 2008 through mill’s shares, which were later transferred to her cousin Yousaf Abbas Sharif in 2010. The federal cabinet meeting concluded which held under the chair of Prime Minister Imran Khan after giving approval of various decisions including launching a new airline. The federal cabinet was summoned to discuss the 16-point agenda besides reviewing national and global developments. The recent escalation tension between the US and Iran also came into discussion. Sources said that the cabinet members okayed the launching of a new airline, Air Sial, as well as greenlighted the agreement of Pak-Saudi air services. PM Imran Khan has been briefed over administrative issues of different ministries and its subordinate departments. The recommendations forwarded by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and Cabinet’s Law Committee have been approved. The cabinet has postponed the matter related to the appointment of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) chief executive officer (CEO), however, the appointments on the positions were approved including Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) directorgeneral, production control member of Heavy Industries Taxila and in-charge member in Karachi Secretariat of Pakistan Ombudsman. A report was also presented before the members regarding the distribution of four per cent quota allocated for erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit-Baltistan. PM Imran Khan and the cabinet members have also discussed the reservations of its coalition partners. PM said the coalition partners of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government have always shown support in tough time and the Centre will also move forward with its partners in future. Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday, in which the air services agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was approved among other decisions. The federal cabinet session today reviewed the country’s overall political and economic situation. The prime minister was briefed regarding the performance of the ministries. During the meeting, the cabinet also approved putting Maryam Nawaz’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL) in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. The matter was referred to the relevant standing committee of the Senate. According to sources, the prime minister gave a green signal to the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister Office, the cabinet will take up a 16-point agenda and will also get an update on the implementation of previous cabinet decisions. The cabinet will also be briefed on the performance of different departments. The federal cabinet is also likely to approve decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee and give approval for the air service agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Defense Division’s proposal for deputation of flag officer as director general Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMDA), and appointment of member production control MPC in Heavy Industries Taxila Board is also expected to be approved in today’s meeting. The body will also review the Establishment Division’s proposal for posting of member in-charge Wafaqi Mohtasib at Ombudsman’s Secretariat, regional office, Karachi. The cabinet will also be presented with a report regarding the allocation of four per cent quota for the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal area and Giglit Baltitistan. The body will also approve the appointment of Pakistan State Oil’s managing director/chief executive officer. Along with this, the cabinet will also approve the appointment of a judge for a banking court in Lahore. The meeting would also take up proposal for the construction of high-rise buildings in Karachi, Lahore and Multan. The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination is expected to brief the cabinet on the status of homeopathic colleges in the country. The briefing was added to the agenda after a complaint was filed on the citizens portal. During the last cabinet meeting on January 1, approved an amendment to the Pakistan Army Act in light of the Supreme Court’s directions last month in a case pertaining to an extension in the tenure of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
