The federal cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, started on Wednesday to deliberate upon a seven-point agenda, Aaj News reported.
Different divisions will brief the premier about their portfolios, according to a statement. Moreover, officials will brief the huddle about the e-cabinet system.
PM Shehbaz’s cabinet, which includes 31 federal and three state ministers, was sworn in on Tuesday. The premier has also appointed three advisers. According to the list issued by the Cabinet Division, PML-N took 14 ministries, PPP nine, JUI four, MQM-P two, and JWP and BAP have one ministry each.
The official handout added that the Finance Division will offer a briefing on the economic situation, with the International Monetary Fund predicting an increase in the inflation rate this year. Separately, the Power Division secretary would present a report on energy.
In addition, the Interior Division would brief the cabinet on the law and order situation. It is expected that the huddle would give a nod to the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee.
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Tuesday presided over an ECC meeting. “The price differential is to be paid to the Oil Marketing Companies/Refineries by the government as a subsidy in the wake of government’s decision to keep the petroleum products’ prices stable,” read a statement.
The ECC approved a supplementary grant of Rs68.74 billion for the disbursement of PDC to OMCs/refineries for the month of April 2022 and to meet the shortfall for the month of March 2022.
“1st ECC meeting of the Shehbaz Sharif govt approved fuel subsidy of ~Rs 31 b announced but not funded by PTI govt for April 1-15, ~Rs 36 b for April 16-30 that we announced & funded, & Rs 2 b arrears from March,” Miftah said in a tweet.
“This will immediately bring liquidity & relieve supply constraints,” he added.
Earlier, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner called on PM Shehbaz Sharif, according to the prime minister’s office statement.
The high commissioner congratulated Shehbaz on assuming the office of the prime minister and conveyed the best wishes of the British government.