PM agrees to idea of charter of economy

Decides to set up a high-level parliamentary committee to suggest ways to tackle economic crisis

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to set up a high-level parliamentary committee to suggest ways for taking the country out of the current economic crisis as Prime Minister Imran Khan agrees to finalise a charter of economy in consultation with all political parties.

This was decided on Friday in a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and the National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser. According to sources, it was agreed that committee for the charter of economy would include members of all political parties in addition to lawmakers from Senate and the NA.

Key leaders of political parties will be able to present recommendations regarding improvement in the economy. The recommendation for formation of such a committee was given by the opposition parties.

The prime minister lauded role of Speaker Asad Qaiser in strengthening democratic norms and running the house in a harmonious manner. He hoped that all parties will cooperate with the speaker.

According to sources, the premier expressed satisfaction over the speaker’s handling of the opposition‘s protests and issuance of production orders for detained lawmakers. He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government believes in supremacy of parliament, democracy and its values.

Asad Qaiser said all members of the house are equal in his eyes. “Progress on legislative agenda is necessary as people of Pakistan have their eyes set on the house,” he said.

Opposition forms body to win over PTI’s allies against budget

Separately, the PM directed the PTI central leaders to desist from making statements against each other, adding that all conflicts within the party should be discussed at the PTI’s internal forums and not on the media.  Imran Khan issued this instruction in the PTI core group meeting, in which, according to the sources, the party’s internal conflicts were discussed.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Jahangir Tareen, Naeemul Haq, Asad Umar, Pervez Khattak and Shireen Mazari, Qasim Khan Suri, Murad Saeed, Ali Zaidi, Shafqat Mehmood and Fawad Chaudhry, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Saifullah Niazi, and Arshad Daad attended the moot.

Recently, former information minister Fawad Chaudhry and Special Assistant to PM on Political Affair Naeemul Haq had a verbal spat on Twitter. They also issued public statement against each other.

The former finance minister Asad Umar also asked his party's government on Thursday to reconsider increased tax on sugar and cooking oil in the federal budget.

The meeting also held discussion on the charter of economy. The prime minister also took opinion from the central leaders on the PTI’s narrative. The meeting took stock of the overall situation of the country and matters concerning the party.

It also held detailed talks on approval of the Federal Budget 2019-20 and strategy for future. The participants also reviewed recommendations presented during the budget session.