Former PM's close aide Shahzad Akbar's name placed on ECL

The federal cabinet amended the Exit Control List (ECL) on Tuesday on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry, removing 22 names from the no-fly list and adding 10 people to it, while giving a one-time permission to three people to leave the country.

Those added to the ECL included Shahzad Akbar, who served as adviser on interior and accountability to former prime minister Imran Khan, and Ziaul Mustafa Naseem. Both names were included in the ECL based on cases pertaining to a private housing scheme.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, received a briefing from the Climate Change Ministry on the effects of climate change in the country. The ministers were informed that Pakistan was among the top-eight worst affected countries because of the climate change.

It was underlined in the briefing that there was a dire need for immediate implementation of ‘Mitigation and Adaptation” mechanism. It was suggested that a documentary about the issues confronting Pakistan and the steps taken to reverse climate change effects might be presented at the global fora.

The cabinet agreed the issues of climate change and global warming should be included in the syllabi of schools and colleges. The ministers also agreed that the duration of public service messaging on TV channels should be effectively ensured.

The cabinet stressed the need for planning for rain harvesting on a war footing and a suggestion was considered over commencement of a pilot project in Islamabad. A cabinet committee, headed by Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, was set up to present recommendations for the projects.

Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that climate change, water security and food security were three interconnected challenges and to cope with these issues, the government would have to take immediate steps to save the future generations from their impacts.

He said that the government was fully cognisant of these problems and resolution of these issues was among the government’s top priorities. He called for holistic efforts to cope with climate change issues facing the country.

At the outset of the meeting, the prime minister and the cabinet members congratulated Industry and Commerce Minister Murtaza Mahmood, Cabinet Secretary Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, Industry and Commerce Secretary Chaudhry Imdadullah Bosal on receiving civil awards.