ISLAMABAD: After facing strong resistance from within the party and drawing ire of the opposition, the government on Tuesday scrapped its plan to change the name of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), but decided to place it along with other social welfare schemes under the umbrella of its new programme, Ahsas.

In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the federal cabinet also decided to impose complete ban on the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament telecast in a tit-for-tat response to the Indian ban on the recently held Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The government also appointed heads of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) and Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, reconstituted the boards of several government organisations and decided to create a new division/ministry.

PM tells cabinet members not to discuss their differences openly; new heads of PIA, OGDCL, gas utilities appointed

Taking a serious notice of the ongoing differences between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and another Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Jehangir Tarin, the prime minister, who also heads the PTI, told the cabinet that “internal party matters should not be discussed openly”.

It was observed during the cabinet meeting that FM Qureshi, who is also PTI vice-chairman, was sitting quite away from Mr Khan.

Just a day ago, Mr Qureshi addressing a press conference along with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar had said Mr Tarin should not attend cabinet meetings after being disqualified by the Supreme Court.

The foreign minister had also opposed the government move to change the title of the BISP which was named after slain PPP chairperson and former prime minister Benazir Bhuttto.

Following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told the media that the name of “BISP is not being changed but it will be placed under the new programme, Ahsas”.

“We have decided that the BISP name will not be changed,” he said while giving details of the cabinet meeting. “Not only the BISP but also all other social welfare departments will come under the umbrella of Ahsas,” he said.

About the IPL, the minister said game and culture should not be politicised but the Indian government had first banned the PSL and targeted Pakistani people, its showbiz people and cricket team. “India crossed all limits when its team played a match while wearing caps of Indian army,” he added.

The information minister said the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to prepare a roadmap for three main crops — wheat, cotton and rice — to improve their yield.

About economic situation, he said the finance minister would soon give details of government’s economic policies.

Responding to a question regarding military courts whose two-year term expired last month, Mr Chaudhry said the government would not extend the term of the military courts if it was not desired by the opposition. “Military courts were set up under the National Action Plan and helped eradicating terrorism in the country. But if the opposition does not want them anymore, the government will not extend term of the military courts,” he reiterated.

Asked about reports regarding wrapping up of 18th Amendment in the Constitution, the minister said except some clauses overall it was quite beneficial and the government had no plan to roll it back.

The cabinet also decided to reconstitute the boards of several government organisations. Air Marshal Arshad Malik was appointed chairman of the PIA, Mr Shamsuddin was appointed chairman of Pakistan Mineral Development Corpor­ation, Qamar Javed Sharif was made OGDC chairman, Dr Shamshad Akhtar was made the head of SSGCL and Syed Dilawar Abbas new chairman of SNGPL.

In a separate decision, the cabinet approved release of Rs58 billion funds for erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) for its security and development works.

The federal cabinet also gave approval to the formation of a new ministry/division to be called Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Division to overcome poverty in the country. Incumbent BISP chairperson Sania Nishtar will head the new division.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2019