Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met his brother and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in London, Aaj News reported on Wednesday .

Sources said that PM Shehbaz along with his delegation arrived in London early Wednesday morning.

He was accompanied by federal ministers, Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Miftah Ismail, and Ayaz Sadiq. They added that the former premier would give the future political roadmap and the huddle would also have discussions on the next budget and elections.

Sources said that Nawaz had to consult the party leadership over some important issues he has reservations over, adding that some “major” decisions are expected to be taken after the consultations.

The PML-N delegation would return on Friday, sources added.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad alongside government spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif denied reports that the visit was planned after Nawaz summoned an emergency meeting of the PML-N leadership, stating that the visit was of a personal nature.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed the same in a press conference alongside Power Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan in Islamabad on Tuesday.

She did acknowledge that consultation was commonplace among political parties while stating that the PML-N would continue consulting Nawaz on political issues.

Cabinet decisions

Speaking about decisions taken by the federal cabinet with PM Shehbaz in the chair, Aurangzeb said that it had approved the revocation of multiple foreign passports under Passport Act, 1974. "It was decided that such passports should not only be revoked but also a strategy should be adopted to prevent it in future."

The last date for the cancellation of dual foreign passport is 31 December, 2022, she continued. "By then, all procedural and administrative arrangements will be finalized to take legal action against dual foreign passport holders."

Sugar export ban

The minister said that the federal cabinet has allowed the export of three million metric tonnes of wheat while endorsing the ECC decision to reduce the prices of flour and sugar. The ban on the export of sugar will remain in place.

Aurangzeb said the prime minister has directed to introduce an incentivized agricultural policy that would allow the country to curtail wheat import.

The cabinet has decided to continue the fixed rates of flour and sugar under the Ramazan package. Under that package, the price of a 20 kg bag of flour was reduced from 950 rupees to 800 rupees. FOr sugar, sugar the price was reduced from 85 rupees per kg to 70 rupees per kg.

The information minister said the premier has completely banned the export of sugar. "The ban is aimed at ensuring the smooth supply of sugar in the country at affordable price," she added.

The information minister said that sufficient stock of sugar was available in the country to meet the demand till the completion of this season.

KSA, UAE visit

Aurangzeb said that the cabinet had been briefed on the premier's visit to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, adding that it was the first time a government visited these two countries with a complete strategic partnership plan.

Appointments

The Minister said the Federal Cabinet approved the appointment of Fawad Asadullah Khan as DG IB. The cabinet also accepted the resignation of Lieutenant General Retired Muzammil Hussain from the post of WAPDA chairman.

Energy woes

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Power Khurrum Dastagir Khan said that the prime minister has directed to formulate a new energy policy. He said the government is working vigilantly to eradicate load-shedding from the country utilizing all available resources.

He said power plants are now, producing 22,634 MW and Nuclear power plants are also generating electricity.

Dastgir said that Pakistan needed additional resources to end load-shedding, adding that load-shedding had been reduced to zero after repairs were made to bridge the supply gap of 1300 megawatts.

He said there was zero load shedding during the tenure of PML-N led government while due to the incompetency of the preceding government many factories had been closed.