A view of the National Assembly.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to increase the allocation of seats for representation of minorities in the national and provincial assemblies. Moreover, it has also decided on ensuring no loadshedding takes place during Sehar, Iftar or Taraveeh timings during the month of Ramazan.

A session of the Federal Cabinet was held here Wednesday with Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in the chair. The meeting decided that the seats for minorities in the national and provincial assemblies would be increased proportionate to the population.

A three-member committee was also constituted comprising Minister for Law, Minister for Interfaith Harmony and Minister for Religious Affairs to submit a report on it in next cabinet meeting.

To raise the number of minority seats, the Constitution’s Article 51 would be amended, decided the Cabinet.

On the other hand, the meeting also decided to implement a uniform loadshedding schedule throughout the country. The government has made the same decision several times in the past as well, however, it has not been able to implement it.

The federal cabinet also decided that there would be no load-shedding in Ramazan during Taraveeh, Sehar and Iftar timings.

During the session, the Secretary for Water and Power, also informed the cabinet members that the power generation shortfall has gone down to 3500 MW, claiming that a further 2000 MW would be added to the national grid by the year end.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...