Cabinet lifts ban on government recruitments

Published September 22, 2014
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. — File photo
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. — File photo
Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid addressing a press conference at PID Media Centre.— File photo by APP
Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid addressing a press conference at PID Media Centre.— File photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Monday, approving a summary submitted by the Ministry of Water and Power, directed all government departments to begin the process of filling their vacancies.

A summary submitted by the Ministry of Water and Power had sought permission to fill the vacant posts in electricity distribution companies (Discos).

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approving the request also granted permission to all other government departments to fill their vacant posts.

Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid addressed a press conference at the Press and Information Department (PID) media centre in the federal capital city on Monday and announced four major decisions taken by the federal cabinet.

All government departments are free to fill their respective vacant posts, Rashid announced adding that the recruitment would be overseen by a cabinet committee.

He also said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, during their 160 speeches, had not raised a single objection to the recruitment in Punjab.

Flanked by leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), the federal information minister said that another decision taken by the government was to compensate the losses incurred to crops and livestock during the recent floods.

He further said that the federal cabinet had decided to adjust inflated electricity bills and added that those power bills whose amount had increased as compared to the previous year would be adjusted. Consumers using less than 200 units would receive relief in their next bills, Senator Pervaiz said.

Information minister said that directives were issued to advisor to the prime minister on water and energy, Dr Musadiq Malik, on over-billing that took place last month.

The minister said that the labourers' minimum wage of Rs12,000 would be given legal protection.

State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said "We realise over-billing has taken place and Prime Minister Sharif has ordered for an audit over the issue."

Three 'reputable companies' would perform an audit into the over-billing, Ali said.

He further said that over-billing could not have taken place without the involvement of department officials and added that the issue was created during the previous government's tenure and not the current era.

The state minister for water and power also said that even though thousands of cases of electricity theft had turned up but unfortunately punishment was handed out in only three cases.

Advisor to the prime minister on water and energy, Dr Musadiq Malik, said that the incumbent government had produced five to six per cent additional supply of electricity which lead to an increase in consumption and hence the inflated bills.

He also expressed hope that the issue of over-billing would be resolved soon.

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