ISLAMABAD, May 07 (DNA): Special Assistant to Prime Minister on
Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says next budget will
meet public aspirations and all allied parties will be taken into
confidence before the next budget session of parliament.

Briefing media in Islamabad regarding decisions taken in federal cabinet
meeting on Tuesday, the Special Assistant said the cabinet reviewed the
issue of energy in depth and the power division was directed to ensure
power supply during Sehr and Iftar during Ramazan.

She said the cabinet ratified the ECC decisions of the previous meeting.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet was briefed by Education Minister
Shafqat Mahmood regarding initiatives to bring 30,000 Madaris into
mainstream. She said they will be linked with the Ministry and act
independently.

The education minister apprised the cabinet that one-window registration
of these Madaris is important as well as monitoring of their funding.

Education Ministry will also support and give facilities to foreign
students studying in these Madaris.

In addition, vocational training and capacity building of Madaris
students are also essential in order to give them an opportunity to earn
living after graduation.

The cabinet ratified agreement on technical cooperation between Pakistan
and Brazil.

It also gave approval to annual report of SECP that will be presented to
cabinet.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister said the cabinet also approved
abolishing of allocation entertainment and gifts in ministries and
public sector organizations.  It granted approval for extension in
acting charge of Chairman Export Processing Zone.

The cabinet also decided that no additional charges will be granted
after three months and all posts will be filled in all ministries and
divisions.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet also accorded approval for the
establishment of Pak-China Engineering University at the Prime Minister
House as promised by Imran Khan.

She said Chinese government will provide grant for this university,
which will be made Center of Excellence for researchers.

She said the cabinet approved renewal of licenses of Telenor and Jazz
cellular companies for 15 years at a price of 492.2 million dollars,
which will generate an amount of 1.37 billion rupees.

To a question, she said the cabinet also formally approved appointment
of Shabbar Zaidi as new head of the Federal Board of Revenue.

Answering another question, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the government
has zero tolerance for hoarders, various cartels of essential items, and
corrupt officers, who intend to create difficulties for people.