ISLAMABAD: The National Economic Council (NEC), which met here on Thursday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the chair, decided to construct a cancer hospital in every provincial capital.

Prime Minister Sharif remarked that Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) needs special attention and current developmental schemes need to be expedited there.

The meeting ordered inquiry into Quetta Water Supply Scheme where despite an expenditure of Rs10 billion there was nothing to show on ground.

The meeting also asked the Balochistan government to prepare a feasibility of solar panels to overcome energy shortages in the province.

The provincial government was also directed to plan a water supply scheme for Gwadar.

Earlier, the Council of Common Interests (CCI), with Prime Minister Sharif in the chair also, approved the mechanism for at source deduction of outstanding power sector payable of the provinces.

Under the mechanism which will be effective from July 1, the provinces and the federal government are to reconcile old arrears within 30 days’ time.

Today’s meeting also gave its approval to a draft of the Pakistan Energy Efficiency and Conservation (PEEC) Bill 2014 and for its tabling in the National Assembly.

The council also okayed a draft amendment in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 in relation to the restoration of executive magistracy. The amendment would later be tabled in the Parliament for formal approval.

The CCI moreover ordered an inquiry into irregularities in the Kachi Canal project which is to be conducted by international auditors. The prime minister also expressed his displeasure at the delay in the inquiry by concerned officials.

He directed Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif to take action against those responsible for delaying the inquiry and submit a report at the next meeting of the CII.